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.
22,152 responses to “Hand-pulled ferries across the Sabine and Rio Grande”
I’m pretty pleased to find this web site. I want to to thank you for ones time for this fantastic read!! I definitely really liked every part of it and i also have you book-marked to look at new information on your website.|
Can I just say what a comfort to find someone who really understands what they are talking about on the net. You certainly know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people must look at this and understand this side of your story. It’s surprising you aren’t more popular because you certainly have the gift.
I used to be recommended this web site by way of my cousin. I’m now not positive whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such particular approximately my difficulty. You’re amazing! Thank you!|
I am not certain where you’re getting your info, however great topic. I needs to spend a while finding out more or figuring out more. Thank you for great info I was searching for this info for my mission.|
Pretty! This has been an extremely wonderful post. Many thanks for providing this information.
Hi there, just wanted to say, I liked this article.
It was inspiring. Keep on posting!
Thanks for your marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you can be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and may come back from now on. I want to encourage you to ultimately continue your great writing, have a nice holiday weekend!|
Spot on with this write-up, I absolutely feel this web site needs a great deal more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read through more, thanks for the info!
Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog web site?
The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of
this your broadcast provided bright clear concept
A motivating discussion is definitely worth comment. I do believe that you should write more about this subject matter, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people do not speak about these issues. To the next! Best wishes!!|
Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Finding the time and actual effort to make a very good article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.
This website was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something which helped me. Thanks a lot!
I personally find that i was skeptical, but after recently of staking, the easy onboarding convinced me.
It’s hard to come by educated people about this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful article. Many thanks for supplying this info.
I value the low fees and trustworthy service. This site is reliable.
Article writing is also a excitement, if you know afterward
you can write otherwise it is complex to write.
Having read this I thought it was really informative. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this informative article together. I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
Very good blog post. I definitely appreciate this website. Stick with it!
You need to be a part of a contest for one of the greatest sites on the web. I will recommend this website!
Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular post! It’s the little changes that make the most significant changes. Many thanks for sharing!
I absolutely love your blog.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you build this web site yourself? Please reply back as I’m attempting to create my own site and want to know where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called. Many thanks.
A fascinating discussion is definitely worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it may not be a taboo matter but typically people do not speak about such issues. To the next! Cheers.
Hi, I do think this is an excellent site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will revisit once again since I bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.
Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular article! It is the little changes that produce the biggest changes. Many thanks for sharing!
I’m impressed by the fast transactions. I’ll definitely continue using it. Charts are accurate and load instantly.
Having read this I thought it was rather informative. I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this content together. I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile.
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this article and also the rest of the site is extremely good.
It’s hard to find experienced people in this particular topic, however, you seem like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
This is the perfect website for everyone who wants to find out about this topic. You know a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a topic that has been discussed for ages. Wonderful stuff, just great.
Greetings! Very helpful advice within this article! It’s the little changes that make the most important changes. Thanks for sharing!
Spot on with this write-up, I really feel this site needs far more attention. I’ll probably be back again to see more, thanks for the information.
Your means of telling all in this paragraph is truly pleasant, every one be able to without difficulty know it, Thanks a lot.|
I always spent my half an hour to read this website’s posts every day along with a mug of coffee.|
I couldn’t resist commenting. Very well written.
Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve visited this site before but after browsing through many of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m certainly delighted I found it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back regularly!
I was skeptical, but after a few days of learning crypto basics, the easy onboarding convinced me. The updates are frequent and clear.
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It’s always helpful to read through articles from other authors and use a little something from other web sites.
I was skeptical, but after a few days of staking, the clear transparency convinced me.
Wonderful blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Cheers|
WOW just what I was looking for. Came here by searching for meta_keyword|
Aw, this was a really good post. Spending some time and actual effort to make a very good article… but what can I say… I hesitate a lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.|
Hi, I do think this is an excellent site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I’m going to come back once again since i have book-marked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.
Excellent site you have here.. It’s hard to find high-quality writing like yours nowadays. I really appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
There is definately a lot to find out about this issue. I really like all the points you’ve made.
I was able to find good info from your blog posts.
Hello, i feel that i saw you visited my weblog so i came to go back the desire?.I’m trying to find things to improve my site!I guess its good enough to make use of a few of your concepts!!|
Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thank you so much, However I am going through issues with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I cannot join it. Is there anybody having similar RSS problems? Anyone who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanx!!|
Hi there to every one, the contents present at this web site are genuinely remarkable for people experience, well, keep up the nice work fellows.|
Great blog you’ve got here.. It’s difficult to find high quality writing like yours these days. I seriously appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!|