Crossing Texas Waterways
Literally hundreds of ferries spanned rivers and creeks of Texas before bridges and tunnels slowly replaced them. However, three unique ferries still operate within Texas. The Lynchburg Ferry near Baytown is operated by the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) operates the ferries located in Galveston and Port Aransas.
The Lynchburg Ferry connects North and South Independence Parkway and the San Jacinto Battleground Monument. Dating back to 1822, Nathaniel Lynch established Lynch’s Ferry just below the confluence of the San Jacinto River and Buffalo Bayou. Located on a major land route from South Texas to the Mexican border, the ferry was used by the Republic of Texas troops fighting Mexican forces in the Battle of San Jacinto in April 1836.
Left The Lynchburg Ferry makes a crossing with the San Jacinto Battleground Monument in the distance | Courtesy Patrick Feller Humble, TX Right The Gibb Gilchrist ferry crosses stern of the Dewitt C Greer in Galveston Bay out of Port Aransas | Courtesy JohnBlottman – stock.adobe.com
Since 1888, Harris County has provided the ferry service free of charge. By 1949, a ferry began operations at the same site across the Houston Ship Channel called the Lynchburg Ferry. The William P. Hobby and Ross S. Sterling ferryboats, which were built in 1964, have a capacity of 10 vehicles. The ferry ride takes less than 10 minutes to cross the ship channel. Located near the ferry landing, the Monument Inn is an excellent location to enjoy great seafood and watch the ship and ferryboat traffic through large windows. The ferry is no longer a major transportation artery but remains an important ship channel crossing that connects Baytown and Highlands with La Porte and Pasadena.
TxDOT operates two ferry routes from Port Aransas to Harbor Island and from Galveston to Port Bolivar. According to TxDOT, “more than 8 million passengers” ride these ferries annually. Both provide great site-seeing opportunities however, the Port Aransas and Galveston ferry operations differ from the other two ferries as they provide critical cost and time saving routes.
The Galveston-Port Bolivar Ferry was the first ferry operated by the State of Texas, starting operations on July 1, 1934. Initially, Texas operated the ferry service toll-free, but after approximately six months the service was so popular that Galveston County officials asked the state to impose a charge of $0.25. The toll charge lasted until 1949. Since 1949, the ferry operation has operated as a toll-free service.
Left The Lynchburg Ferry landing | Courtesy Patrick Feller Humble, TX Right The Bolivar Ferry Port in Galveston | Courtesy TXDOT
The Galveston to Port Bolivar ferry fleet consists of six 60-car vessels that connect Galveston to Port Bolivar via a route across the Houston Ship Channel. According to TxDOT, travel time is 18 minutes to make the 2.7-mile trip on the ferry compared to approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes to drive 144 miles around Galveston Bay. Of course, you must factor in seasonal wait times as well.
Many travelers walk on the ferry to visit Bolivar Peninsula or Galveston. The ferries have an upper observation area outside and air-conditioned sitting area inside surrounded by windows. Whether you sit inside or outside, the view is amazing. The ferry path from Bolivar provides a great view of Fort Travis and the Bolivar Lighthouse, as well as tankers and ships anchored or moving from port to sea. Coming into the Galveston Landing, the ferry brings you through Seawolf Park and the U.S. Coast Guard Station.
As the ferry turns into the Galveston dock, off in the distance is the Galveston Yacht Basin. During your trip across the Houston Ship Channel, watch for dolphins riding the bow wake in front of the tankers. Bring along your camera as there is usually plenty to photograph along the trip.
Port Aransas ferry operations date back to 1911, when privately owned by Aransas Dock and Channel Company. The ferry route originated in Aransas Pass, went to Port Aransas then to Harbor Island, where the north landing of the current ferry lands, then finally back to Aransas pass. The first ferry boat, named Mitzi, could carry six vehicles. In 1951, Nueces County took over ferry operations and instituted a one-dollar toll. In 1968, TxDOT assumed ownership and operation of the ferries and removed the existing tolls. Today, the Port Aransas ferry fleet consists of six 20-car vessels and the route connects Aransas Pass (Harbor Island) to Port Aransas (Mustang Island) via a route across the Corpus Christi Ship Channel.
Top Left Railcars carry autos along the causeway in Aransas Pass in 1929 | Courtesy Bill Behrens Top Right The Mitzi ferry leaving Harbor Island Terminal in Port Aransas Bottom Right the Nellie B. ferry to Port Aransas | Courtesy Bill Behrens Bottom Left The Macomb Ferry connecting Wallisville Rd across the San Jacinto River | Courtesy Bill Behrens
The route to Port Aransas comes with two options, either take the ferry or drive along the beach on Highway 361. According to TxDOT, travel time is less than 10 minutes to cross on the ferry compared to approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to drive 80 miles around Corpus Christi Bay. Either way, both routes come with a view of the beach or bay.
The quarter-mile Corpus Christi-Port Aransas ferry ride is long enough to get out on deck and watch for some abundant wildlife. Dolphins frequently swim up and down the channel feeding and playing. When large ships are approaching or moving across the ferry paths, you may see dolphins riding the front bow wake. Turtles feed along the channel and may surface as the ferry passes by. Pelicans, both white and brown, are frequently present on the landings. Riding the Aransas Pass Ferry can be fun just for the chance to see something unique and enjoy the view.
Enjoy the experience of crossing a waterway on a ferry and enjoy seeing landmarks from a different perspective, a variety of winged and swimming wildlife, and an array of boats and ships!
