Site of Old Burr's Ferry (At Highway Bridge)

As late as 1840 this Sabine crossing was still called Hickman's Ferry. The Handbook says an early Newton County commissioners court named it for Dr. Timothy Burr, who later set up a plantation on the Texas bank. After Vicksburg fell in 1863, Confederates raised breastworks on the Louisiana side and cleared the Texas bank for their artillery, and a Union route map rated the west-side bottom "good and hard." The ferry, later rigged with a wire cable to carry automobiles, ended in 1936 when the highway bridge was completed. That bridge joined the National Register in 1998.

What the plaque says

Site of Old Burr's Ferry (At Highway Bridge) An important communications point between Texas and the United States, especially during settlement era of early 1800's. Named for Dr. Timothy Burr (1790-1852), second cousin of U. S. Vice President Aaron Burr. Dr. Burr is said to have come to the Sabine area in 1809, but moved his family down from Ohio in 1820's. He practiced medicine from home plantation on the Sabine. Family operated the ferry in the 1840's. Town of Burr's Ferry grew up on east side of the river. This crossing (earlier called Hickman's Ferry) gave pioneers the means to enter Texas with their stock, household goods,and other property. It was one of four main points of entry on Texas-Louisiana border. Besides the famous El Camino Real (King's Highway) from Natchitoches, other entry roads were the "Upper" route, from present-day Shreveport; "Lower" route, from Opelousas; and this one, called "The Old Beef Trail" because it was used to drive thousands of cattle from Texas to Alexandria for shipment to such cities as New Orleans, as early as the 1820's and 30's. This crossing was considered strategic in 1860's, during the Civil War. Breastworks were built on east bank, and timber cleared here on west bank, in effort to guard against Federal invasions. (1968)

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Rev. Henry Stephenson — 7.9 mi
• Toledo Bend — 7.9 mi
• First Courthouse of Newton County — 9.7 mi
• Round Table Inn — 9.7 mi