Head of Navigation on the Sabine River: Belzora Landing

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)

Head of Navigation on the Sabine River: Belzora Landing is a historical marker in Winona, Smith County, dedicated in 1970. It is one of 90 historical markers documented in Smith County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 272 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 32.5587, -95.2121 near Winona. The nearest cataloged historic site is White-Perryman Cemetery (cemetery), about 3.3 miles away. Others within a short drive include Mount Olive, Red Springs Cemetery, and Kay.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5423007705. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.