Details for Head of Navigation on the Sabine River: Belzora Landing
Historical Marker —
Atlas Number 5423007705
Data
Marker Number
7705
Atlas Number
5423007705
Marker Title
Head of Navigation on the Sabine River: Belzora Landing
Index Entry
Belzora Landing_Head of Navigation on the Sabine River
Address
FM 14
City
Winona
County
Smith
UTM Zone
15
UTM Easting
292341
UTM Northing
3604471
Subject Codes
ghost towns; ports; water topics
Marker Year
1970
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
No
Marker Location
FM 14, N side 0.2 mi. SW of Sabine River. Marker reported missing Jan. 1999. Map dot approximate.
Private Property
No
Marker Condition
Missing
Marker Size
27" x 42"
Marker Text
A thriving port for Tyler and East Texas, from 1850s until arrival of railroads in 1870s. One of many ports established when settlers (as in eastern states) turned to rivers for transportation. In Texas, river-freighting proved rather disappointing. The long, winding rivers were difficult for even small, shallow-draft steamers to navigate. Boats on the Sabine fared very well, however, because of abundant rainfall and favorable terrain. For several months each year, light steamboats could ascend the river to Belzora. The "Galveston News" for that period included Belzora in listings of ports. In dry seasons it was local practice to load goods on barges, flatboats and other craft and wait for a freshet to send them downstream. In addition to the boat landing, Belzora had a ferry used by travel on the Dallas-to-Shreveport Post Road. The town had a dozen businesses, a post office and a combination church-schoolhouse. Ambitious plans for greater inland navigation, deepening of river channel, and building of locks and dams never materialized. Belzora, like many sister ports, became an historic relic-- a ghost town. (1970)
