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.
22,078 responses to “Hand-pulled ferries across the Sabine and Rio Grande”
Yes! Finally something about keyword1.|
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!|
Nice post. I used to be checking constantly this blog and I am inspired! Very helpful information specifically the last section 🙂 I maintain such info much. I used to be seeking this certain information for a very lengthy time. Thank you and best of luck. |
Your house is valueble for me. Thanks!…
Howdy just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading properly. 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.|
This info is invaluable. When can I find out more?
This is a very good tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere. Simple but very accurate info… Appreciate your sharing this one. A must read article!
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I do not know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
excellent submit, very informative. I ponder why the other specialists of this sector do not notice this. You should proceed your writing. I am sure, you have a huge readers’ base already!
I’ve been using it for a few days for using the bridge, and the seamless withdrawals stands out.
Customer support was friendly, which gave me confidence to continue. The updates are frequent and clear.
I personally find that i’ve been active for half a year, mostly for swapping tokens, and it’s always accurate charts. I moved funds across chains without a problem.
I personally find that i’ve been using it for a year for cross-chain transfers, and the intuitive UI stands out. Charts are accurate and load instantly.
Fees are accurate charts, and the execution is always smooth. Definitely recommend to anyone in crypto.
I’ve been using it for since launch for staking, and the stable performance stands out. Definitely recommend to anyone in crypto.
I was skeptical, but after almost a year of exploring governance, the great support convinced me.
I personally find that i trust this platform — withdrawals are fast transactions and reliable.
Hi! I’ve been reading your blog for a while now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Atascocita Tx! Just wanted to mention keep up the great job!
I’ll immediately grab your rss feed as I can’t find your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please let me know in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.
I trust this platform — withdrawals are great support and reliable. Definitely recommend to anyone in crypto.
I was pretty pleased to find this great site. I want to to thank you for ones time for this particularly fantastic read!! I definitely loved every bit of it and i also have you saved as a favorite to look at new stuff on your web site.
I could not resist commenting. Perfectly written!
I personally find that the providing liquidity tools are scalable features and trustworthy service. I moved funds across chains without a problem.
After I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the exact same comment. Is there a way you are able to remove me from that service? Thanks a lot.
I personally find that the best choice I made for testing new tokens. Smooth and quick deposits. My withdrawals were always smooth.
Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon everyday. It will always be exciting to read articles from other authors and practice something from their web sites.
Hello! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 4! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the great work!
Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a weblog web site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I were a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided vivid clear concept
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently fast.
whoah this weblog is magnificent i really like reading your articles. Keep up the good paintings! You understand, a lot of individuals are searching round for this info, you can help them greatly.
The fiat on-ramp process is simple and the responsive team makes it even better. Great for cross-chain swaps with minimal slippage.
It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d most certainly donate to this superb blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to new updates and will talk about this blog with my Facebook group. Talk soon!
There are some fascinating cut-off dates on this article however I don’t know if I see all of them middle to heart. There’s some validity however I will take hold opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we would like more! Added to FeedBurner as properly
I value the great support and wide token selection. This site is reliable. Great for cross-chain swaps with minimal slippage.
We absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. Does one offer guest writers to write content for you personally? I wouldn’t mind writing a post or elaborating on a few of the subjects you write in relation to here. Again, awesome web site!
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I am hoping the same high-grade website post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own web site now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a great example of it.
Finley here — I’ve tried using the API and the low fees impressed me. Definitely recommend to anyone in crypto.
I trust this platform — withdrawals are intuitive UI and reliable. Great for cross-chain swaps with minimal slippage.
Hello there! This blog post couldn’t be written much better! Reading through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this information to him. Pretty sure he will have a very good read. Thank you for sharing!
I am curious to find out what blog platform you happen to be using? I’m having some minor security issues with my latest site and I’d like to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any recommendations?|
We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your web site offered us with valuable info to work on. You have done an impressive job and our entire community will be thankful to you.|
Wow, this piece of writing is nice, my sister is analyzing such things, so I am going to tell her.|
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently fast.|
What a information of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious knowledge regarding unexpected emotions.|
We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with valuable info to work on. You’ve done an impressive job and our entire community will be grateful to you.|
Excellent goods from you, man. I’ve remember your stuff previous to and you’re simply too magnificent. I actually like what you’ve acquired right here, really like what you are saying and the way through which you are saying it. You’re making it enjoyable and you continue to take care of to stay it sensible. I can’t wait to read much more from you. That is really a great web site.|
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my blog so i came to “return the favor”.I am trying to find things to enhance my web site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!|
Fantastic web site. Lots of useful info here. I am sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you in your sweat!|
Hi, I want to subscribe for this webpage to take latest updates, thus where can i do it please help out.|
I quite like reading a post that will make people think. Also, many thanks for permitting me to comment!|