Sabine Pass Battlefield

Sabine Pass Battleground State Historic Site, operated by the Texas Historical Commission, is the site of an 1863 U.S. Navy attempt to invade Confederate Texas to gain access to Houston—the rail center of Texas. Guarding the pass was Fort Griffin, where on Sept. 8, 1863, Lt. Dick Dowling and 46 of his men used six cannons to defeat four gunboats and halt the invasion. 

 

In honor of the Texas defenders, a bronze statue of Dowling overlooks the 57.5-acre park. An interpretive pavilion illustrates the story of the battle, while a walking trail features historical markers. Four World War II ammunition bunkers stand witness to the site's use by the U.S. Army Coastal Artillery Division.

 

Today, the Sabine Pass Battleground is a great place to fish or picnic while exploring the rich history of the uppermost point of the Texas coast. A boat ramp provides easy access to the Sabine Pass Jetties, Sabine Lake or the Gulf of Mexico. Sidewalks with line the bulkheads, allowing visitors to fish the bountiful waters of the pass or gaze across to Louisiana and the Sabine Pass Lighthouse.

 

Learn more about this battlefield from the Texas Historical Commission.