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.
3,925 responses to “Hand-pulled ferries across the Sabine and Rio Grande”
I am really enjoying the theme/design of your blog. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility issues? A few of my blog audience have complained about my website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera. Do you have any solutions to help fix this issue?
Gerçek Medyumlar hakk?nda bilinmeyenler neler sizler için ara?t?rd?k ve karar verdik.
you’ve an important weblog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?
Gerçek Medyumlar hakk?nda bilinmeyenler neler sizler için ara?t?rd?k ve karar verdik.
Your positivity and enthusiasm are truly infectious! This article brightened my day and left me feeling inspired. Thank you for sharing your uplifting message and spreading positivity to your readers.
Your unique approach to addressing challenging subjects is like a breath of fresh air. Your articles stand out with their clarity and grace, making them a pure joy to read. Your blog has now become my go-to source for insightful content.
In a world where trustworthy information is more crucial than ever, your dedication to research and the provision of reliable content is truly commendable. Your commitment to accuracy and transparency shines through in every post. Thank you for being a beacon of reliability in the online realm.
Your enthusiasm for the subject matter shines through every word of this article; it’s infectious! Your commitment to delivering valuable insights is greatly valued, and I eagerly anticipate more of your captivating content. Keep up the exceptional work!
As I web-site possessor I believe the content matter here is rattling fantastic , appreciate it for your efforts. You should keep it up forever! Best of luck.
I must applaud your talent for simplifying complex topics. Your ability to convey intricate ideas in such a relatable manner is admirable. You’ve made learning enjoyable and accessible for many, and I deeply appreciate that.
Your writing style effortlessly draws me in, and I find it nearly impossible to stop reading until I’ve reached the end of your articles. Your ability to make complex subjects engaging is indeed a rare gift. Thank you for sharing your expertise!
I’m genuinely impressed by how effortlessly you distill intricate concepts into easily digestible information. Your writing style not only imparts knowledge but also engages the reader, making the learning experience both enjoyable and memorable. Your passion for sharing your expertise shines through, and for that, I’m deeply grateful.
Hello, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam remarks? If so how do you protect against it, any plugin or anything you can recommend? I get so much lately it’s driving me insane so any assistance is very much appreciated.
Your storytelling prowess is nothing short of extraordinary. Reading this article felt like embarking on an adventure of its own. The vivid descriptions and engaging narrative transported me, and I eagerly await to see where your next story takes us. Thank you for sharing your experiences in such a captivating manner.
Your writing style effortlessly draws me in, and I find it nearly impossible to stop reading until I’ve reached the end of your articles. Your ability to make complex subjects engaging is indeed a rare gift. Thank you for sharing your expertise!
This article is a true game-changer! Your practical tips and well-thought-out suggestions hold incredible value. I’m eagerly anticipating implementing them. Thank you not only for sharing your expertise but also for making it accessible and easy to apply.
Great blog post. What I would like to make contributions about is that computer memory ought to be purchased but if your computer can’t cope with what you do along with it. One can add two good old ram boards with 1GB each, as an example, but not certainly one of 1GB and one with 2GB. One should always check the manufacturer’s documentation for own PC to be sure what type of memory it can take.
Wow, awesome blog layout! How lengthy have you been blogging for? you make blogging glance easy. The total look of your website is great, as neatly as the content!
Your positivity and enthusiasm are undeniably contagious! This article brightened my day and left me feeling inspired. Thank you for sharing your uplifting message and spreading positivity among your readers.
In a world where trustworthy information is more crucial than ever, your dedication to research and the provision of reliable content is truly commendable. Your commitment to accuracy and transparency shines through in every post. Thank you for being a beacon of reliability in the online realm.
I simply wanted to convey how much I’ve gleaned from this article. Your meticulous research and clear explanations make the information accessible to all readers. It’s abundantly clear that you’re committed to providing valuable content.
Your unique approach to addressing challenging subjects is like a breath of fresh air. Your articles stand out with their clarity and grace, making them a pure joy to read. Your blog has now become my go-to source for insightful content.
This will be a fantastic web page, will you be involved in doing an interview about just how you created it? If so e-mail me!
Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is excellent, let alone the content!
Belçika medyum haluk hoca sayesinde sizlerde huzura var?n?z Belçika’n?n en iyi medyumu ileti?im Almanya; +49 157 59456087 numaram?zdan ula?abilirsiniz. A?k Büyüsü, Ba?lama Büyüsü Giden Sevgilinizi Geri Getirmek ?çin Hemen Aray?n.
Köln medyum haluk hocay? sizlerde tan?y?n, Köln medyumu ile ileti?im kurabilirsiniz,
We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your site offered us with valuable info to work on. You have done an impressive job and our whole community will be thankful to you.
Your dedication to sharing knowledge is evident, and your writing style is captivating. Your articles are a pleasure to read, and I always come away feeling enriched. Thank you for being a reliable source of inspiration and information.
?leti?im: +49 157 59456087 A?k büyüsü, Ba?lama büyüsü, Gideni geri getirme büyüsü gibi çal??malar hakk?nda en iyi medyum hoca.
Your unique approach to addressing challenging subjects is like a breath of fresh air. Your articles stand out with their clarity and grace, making them a pure joy to read. Your blog has now become my go-to source for insightful content.
I’ve discovered a treasure trove of knowledge in your blog. Your unwavering dedication to offering trustworthy information is truly commendable. Each visit leaves me more enlightened, and I deeply appreciate your consistent reliability.
I’m truly impressed by the way you effortlessly distill intricate concepts into easily digestible information. Your writing style not only imparts knowledge but also engages the reader, making the learning experience both enjoyable and memorable. Your passion for sharing your expertise is unmistakable, and for that, I am deeply grateful.
Your writing style effortlessly draws me in, and I find it difficult to stop reading until I reach the end of your articles. Your ability to make complex subjects engaging is a true gift. Thank you for sharing your expertise!
My partner and I stumbled over here coming from a different website and thought I might check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to looking into your web page again.
Your storytelling prowess is nothing short of extraordinary. Reading this article felt like embarking on an adventure of its own. The vivid descriptions and engaging narrative transported me, and I eagerly await to see where your next story takes us. Thank you for sharing your experiences in such a captivating manner.
I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the wealth of invaluable information you consistently provide in your articles. Your blog has become my go-to resource, and I consistently emerge with new knowledge and fresh perspectives. I’m eagerly looking forward to continuing my learning journey through your future posts.
Almanya’n?n en iyi medyumu halu hoca ile sizlerde çal???n?z. ?leti?im: +49 157 59456087 A??k Etme Büyüsü, Ba?lama Büyüsü gibi çal??malar? sizlerde yapt?rabilirsiniz.
You need to take part in a contest for one of the most useful websites on the internet. I’m going to recommend this site!
Almanya’n?n en iyi medyumu halu hoca ile sizlerde çal???n?z. ?leti?im: +49 157 59456087 A??k Etme Büyüsü, Ba?lama Büyüsü gibi çal??malar? sizlerde yapt?rabilirsiniz.
I’d like to express my heartfelt appreciation for this insightful article. Your unique perspective and well-researched content bring a fresh depth to the subject matter. It’s evident that you’ve invested considerable thought into this, and your ability to convey complex ideas in such a clear and understandable way is truly commendable. Thank you for sharing your knowledge so generously and making the learning process enjoyable.
Your positivity and enthusiasm are undeniably contagious! This article brightened my day and left me feeling inspired. Thank you for sharing your uplifting message and spreading positivity among your readers.
I’m truly impressed by the way you effortlessly distill intricate concepts into easily digestible information. Your writing style not only imparts knowledge but also engages the reader, making the learning experience both enjoyable and memorable. Your passion for sharing your expertise is unmistakable, and for that, I am deeply grateful.
I must applaud your talent for simplifying complex topics. Your ability to convey intricate ideas in such a relatable manner is admirable. You’ve made learning enjoyable and accessible for many, and I deeply appreciate that.
I want to express my sincere appreciation for this enlightening article. Your unique perspective and well-researched content bring a fresh depth to the subject matter. It’s evident that you’ve invested considerable thought into this, and your ability to convey complex ideas in such a clear and understandable way is truly commendable. Thank you for generously sharing your knowledge and making the learning process enjoyable.
An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a co-worker who has been conducting a little homework on this. And he actually bought me lunch due to the fact that I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending the time to discuss this matter here on your internet site.
Almanya’n?n en iyi medyumu halu hoca ile sizlerde çal???n?z. ?leti?im: +49 157 59456087 A??k Etme Büyüsü, Ba?lama Büyüsü gibi çal??malar? sizlerde yapt?rabilirsiniz.
The root of your writing whilst appearing agreeable in the beginning, did not really sit perfectly with me personally after some time. Someplace throughout the sentences you managed to make me a believer unfortunately just for a short while. I however have a problem with your leaps in logic and one would do well to help fill in all those breaks. When you can accomplish that, I would certainly be amazed.
Hey there, You’ve done an incredible job. I will certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I’m sure they’ll be benefited from this website.
Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Many thanks, However I am experiencing troubles with your RSS. I don’t know why I cannot join it. Is there anyone else getting similar RSS issues? Anybody who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanks!
Hey! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 4! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the great work!