At certain places on the Sabine River, I try to keep an eye out for evidence of the ferries that once allowed people (and wagons and livestock) to cross the river before bridges became an option.
If the water in the Sabine wasn’t so brown and murky, you could probably locate some of the old ferries decaying on the riverbed, where they sank after being abandoned in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. I heard about them from my friend and collaborator Jacob Botter, whose ancestors operated a ferry at the end of what is now Waldons Ferry Road, a dirt trail in rural Harrison County. His great-great-great-great-grandpa (give or take a great or two) ran a rope from one side of the river to the other and used the rope to pull himself across whenever a paying customer wanted passage.
I’m not sure when that ferry ceased to exist, but Gaines Ferry, the last ferry on the Sabine River, operated until 1937. It transported travelers along the old Camino Real, where Texas Highway 21 meets Louisiana Highway 6. The ferry was replaced by a bridge, which was inundated by the creation of Toledo Bend Reservoir a little more than half a century ago.
I was reminded of the Sabine River ferries when my friend Sean Kimmons shared photos from his recent crossing of the Rio Grande. Sean and his parents loaded their car onto a ferry in Los Ebanos, Texas, and were pulled across the river by a team of men tugging a rope stretched from one bank to the other.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the Los Ebanos Ferry is the only remaining hand-pulled ferry on the Texas-Mexico border.
The Los Ebanos Ferry is a popular tourist attraction since it is the only remaining hand-pulled ferry on the U.S.-Mexico border. It can accommodate only three cars and 12 pedestrians at one time.
The crossing is also known locally as Los Ebanos-San Miguel Camargo, Ferry Gustavo Díaz Ordaz and Ferry Díaz Ordaz-Los Ebanos.
Although the crossing has been in operation since the 1950s, the current ferry has been operating since 1979. It was recognized with a state historical marker in 1975.
And here’s a photo of a Sabine River ferry taken in 1916.
Here’s a random video that shows how the Los Ebanos Ferry works.
3,920 responses to “Hand-pulled ferries across the Sabine and Rio Grande”
bookmarked!!, I really like your web site!
Your thoughtful insights make your blog a must-read.
Your insights have changed the way I think about this topic.
You have a talent for breaking down complex topics. Thanks for simplifying [subject].
There is definately a lot to know about this subject. I love all of the points you made.
Great post. I’m experiencing many of these issues as well..
Great post. I am dealing with a few of these issues as well..
This is a topic which is close to my heart… Cheers! Exactly where are your contact details though?
Next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesn’t disappoint me as much as this particular one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read, nonetheless I really thought you would probably have something interesting to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of crying about something that you could possibly fix if you weren’t too busy looking for attention.
Your style is unique compared to other people I’ve read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this page.
Great info. Lucky me I ran across your website by chance (stumbleupon). I have saved it for later!
An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a friend who was conducting a little research on this. And he in fact ordered me breakfast due to the fact that I found it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending time to talk about this issue here on your blog.
jazz piano
comfort piano jazz
workout mix
calm jazz
soothing autumn jazz
Your writing style is engaging and relatable. Love it!
Your ability to simplify complex concepts is truly admirable.
Your articles are extremely helpful to me. Please provide more information!
Your insights always provide a fresh perspective. Much appreciated!
Thanks for posting. I really enjoyed reading it, especially because it addressed my problem. It helped me a lot and I hope it will help others too.
Thank you for your articles. They are very helpful to me. Can you help me with something?
Thank you for your articles. They are very helpful to me. Can you help me with something?
May I request more information on the subject? All of your articles are extremely useful to me. Thank you!
relax everyday
You can certainly see your skills in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.
Your articles are very helpful to me. May I request more information?
Hmm it looks like your blog ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any suggestions for inexperienced blog writers? I’d genuinely appreciate it.
Its such as you read my thoughts! You appear to grasp a lot approximately this, like you wrote the ebook in it or something. I believe that you just could do with a few to power the message home a little bit, however instead of that, this is excellent blog. An excellent read. I will definitely be back.
Thank you for your articles. They are very helpful to me. Can you help me with something?
Thanks for another great post. Where else could anybody get that type of information in such an ideal way of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such info.
Great beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept
hi!,I like your writing very much! share we communicate more about your post on AOL? I require an expert on this area to solve my problem. May be that’s you! Looking forward to see you.
Hello! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing many months of hard work due to no back up. Do you have any methods to protect against hackers?
I get pleasure from, lead to I found exactly what I used to be looking for. You have ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
Thank you, I’ve just been searching for information approximately this topic for ages and yours is the best I have found out so far. But, what concerning the conclusion? Are you positive concerning the source?
This is very interesting, You are a very professional blogger. I’ve joined your feed and stay up for seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks!
I?ll immediately grasp your rss feed as I can not in finding your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please allow me realize so that I may subscribe. Thanks.
This will be a great website, would you be involved in doing an interview regarding just how you created it? If so e-mail me!
One thing I’d like to discuss is that weight loss program fast can be carried out by the appropriate diet and exercise. Ones size not merely affects the look, but also the general quality of life. Self-esteem, depressive disorders, health risks, and physical skills are impacted in excess weight. It is possible to do everything right whilst still having a gain. If this happens, a problem may be the perpetrator. While an excessive amount of food but not enough work out are usually accountable, common health conditions and key prescriptions can certainly greatly help to increase size. Thx for your post in this article.
A lot of of whatever you state is supprisingly legitimate and that makes me wonder the reason why I hadn’t looked at this in this light before. This particular article really did turn the light on for me as far as this particular subject matter goes. Nevertheless there is 1 issue I am not necessarily too cozy with and while I try to reconcile that with the central theme of your point, let me see exactly what the rest of the subscribers have to point out.Nicely done.
One thing I’ve noticed is that often there are plenty of misconceptions regarding the finance institutions intentions any time talking about home foreclosure. One delusion in particular is that often the bank needs to have your house. The bank wants your hard earned cash, not your property. They want the money they loaned you along with interest. Avoiding the bank will simply draw a new foreclosed realization. Thanks for your article.
I have noticed that of all different types of insurance, health insurance coverage is the most debatable because of the struggle between the insurance company’s obligation to remain making money and the user’s need to have insurance plan. Insurance companies’ commissions on wellness plans are very low, as a result some providers struggle to earn profits. Thanks for the tips you write about through this website.
I appreciate, cause I found exactly what I was looking for. You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
hey there and thank you for your information ? I?ve certainly picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise a few technical points using this site, since I experienced to reload the web site many times previous to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and could damage your quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I am adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for much more of your respective fascinating content. Ensure that you update this again very soon..
Valuable info. Lucky me I found your site by accident, and I’m shocked why this accident didn’t happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!?
WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..extra wait .. ?
I was suggested this web site by means of my cousin. I am now not positive whether this submit is written through him as no one else recognize such unique approximately my problem. You’re incredible! Thanks!