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.

22,086 responses to “Hand-pulled ferries across the Sabine and Rio Grande”
Asking questions are in fact good thing if you are not understanding anything entirely, but this post gives nice understanding even.|
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on meta_keyword. Regards|
Awesome blog! Do you have any helpful hints for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m completely overwhelmed .. Any suggestions? Thanks a lot!|
Having read this I thought it was really enlightening. I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this informative article together. I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile.
}
Fast onboarding, great support, and a team that actually cares. Definitely recommend to anyone in crypto.
I always emailed this webpage post page to all my contacts, for the reason that if like to read it next my friends will too.|
Honestly, I’ve checked out quite a few online casinos recently, and it still surprises me how many people jump in without reading any reviews. In case you want a simple explanation of promos, withdrawals, and available games, this guide cleared things up for me: [url=https://telegra.ph/Plinko-Kansspel-of-klanten-misleiden-Een-eerlijk-onderzoek-naar-app-beoordelingen-en-risicos-11-22″]Telegraph-URL[/url] . Visit our links.
It’s pretty straightforward and shows what matters most before you put in money. Totally worth checking out if you don’t want to fall for typical traps.
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve visited this site before but after looking at many of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m certainly happy I came across it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back regularly!
Ahaa, its fastidious dialogue on the topic of this post here at this web site, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting at this place.|
Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after going through some of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Regardless, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back frequently!
I every time emailed this blog post page to all my contacts, because if like to read it then my friends will too.|
Have you ever thought about writing an e-book or guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog centered on the same information you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would appreciate your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e mail.|
Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Many thanks, However I am encountering problems with your RSS. I don’t understand why I cannot subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting similar RSS problems? Anyone that knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanx!!
I personally find that i’ve been active for a month, mostly for testing new tokens, and it’s always reliable uptime.
I’d like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this website. I really hope to check out the same high-grade blog posts from you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own site now ;)|
I couldn’t refrain from commenting. Very well written.
Avery here — I’ve tried fiat on-ramp and the reliable uptime impressed me.
Pretty! This was a really wonderful post. Thank you for supplying this info.
I personally find that the cross-chain transfers tools are trustworthy service and low fees. Support solved my issue in minutes.
A motivating discussion is worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you should publish more on this subject, it may not be a taboo matter but typically folks don’t talk about these subjects. To the next! Many thanks!
The very next time I read a blog, Hopefully it does not fail me just as much as this particular one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read, however I genuinely believed you’d have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of complaining about something that you can fix if you weren’t too busy looking for attention.
I personally find that hunter here — I’ve tried swapping tokens and the scalable features impressed me.
Can I simply say what a comfort to uncover somebody who really understands what they are talking about over the internet. You actually understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people really need to look at this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised that you’re not more popular given that you definitely possess the gift.
Wow! This is a cool platform. They really do have the trustworthy service. Definitely recommend to anyone in crypto.
Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others like you aided me.|
I was skeptical, but after since launch of swapping tokens, the accurate charts convinced me. I moved funds across chains without a problem.
Shawn here — I’ve tried using the mobile app and the great support impressed me. The mobile app makes daily use simple.
Aw, this was an exceptionally good post. Taking the time and actual effort to make a top notch article… but what can I say… I hesitate a whole lot and never seem to get nearly anything done.
Hey there just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same outcome.|
The best choice I made for staking. Smooth and reliable uptime.
I personally find that i’ve been active for recently, mostly for using the bridge, and it’s always stable performance. Charts are accurate and load instantly.
I’m amazed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is an issue that not enough people are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy that I found this during my search for something concerning this.
Honestly, I’ve used quite a few casino sites recently, and I’m always shocked how often players jump in without reading any reviews. If you’re interested in a detailed look of what a casino offers, this overview was really helpful: [url=https://telegra.ph/Estrat%C3%A9gias-Explosivas-para-Dominar-o-Jogo-de-mines-e-Multiplicar-Seus-Ganhos-11-23″]Telegraph-URL[/url] . Visit our links.
It’s simple to read and breaks down the important points before you put in money. Totally worth checking out if you want to make better choices.
I personally find that morgan here — I’ve tried portfolio tracking and the responsive team impressed me.
Good day! I simply wish to give you a big thumbs up for the great info you have got here on this post. I’ll be coming back to your blog for more soon.
Saved as a favorite, I love your web site!|
You’re so interesting! I don’t believe I have read something like that before. So wonderful to discover somebody with some genuine thoughts on this topic. Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This site is one thing that is needed on the internet, someone with some originality.
The staking process is simple and the intuitive UI makes it even better.
This platform exceeded my expectations with great support and reliable uptime.
Nice post. I be taught one thing more challenging on completely different blogs everyday. It would at all times be stimulating to read content material from different writers and practice somewhat something from their store. I’d desire to make use of some with the content material on my blog whether or not you don’t mind. Natually I’ll offer you a hyperlink in your internet blog. Thanks for sharing.
The best choice I made for portfolio tracking. Smooth and great support. The mobile app makes daily use simple.
whoah this blog is magnificent i love reading your articles. Keep up the good work! You know, lots of people are looking around for this information, you can aid them greatly.
My spouse and I stumbled over here different page and thought I may as well check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to looking into your web page repeatedly.|
all the time i used to read smaller articles which as well clear their motive, and that is also happening with this article which I am reading here.|
The learning crypto basics process is simple and the fast transactions makes it even better. Great for cross-chain swaps with minimal slippage.
I personally find that i’ve been active for recently, mostly for checking analytics, and it’s always responsive team.
I was skeptical, but after since launch of trading, the reliable uptime convinced me. Support solved my issue in minutes.
The exploring governance tools are wide token selection and fast transactions.
I value the low fees and responsive team. This site is reliable.