Niblett's Bluff

On high point SE, across the Sabine in Louisiana. Busiest east Texas port of entry in the Civil War. Target for enemy movements west across Louisiana repeatedly in 1862-64. Confederate defense post. Supply depot to support constant troop movements, both for fighting and for patrols and recruiting. Crossroads for land and river traffic. Ferry point on old road through swamps. Cotton concentration point. A boom town with gambling, saloons, night life. Patrolled on both sides of the Sabine by Texans, to protect troop movements, commercial shipping, stagecoach travel routes, freighters’ trains, and herds of cattle and hogs going east on the hoof. Passed Texas troops through by thousands, to go eastward through marshlands and sloughs toward Brashear City and New Orleans or upper Mississippi River crossings, to eastern battlefields. Many units went by rail from Houston to Beaumont, then to Sabine Pass and up the river by steamer. Niblett’s Bluff welcomed steamers unloading guns, ammunition, clothing, medicines and other goods vital to the Confederacy— swapping these for Texas and Louisiana cotton, called “Money of the Confederacy” because of its purchasing value in world trade. (1964) 1983 supplemental plate (reported missing Dec. 1999): Marker moved from SH 87 and West Bluff Rd. to actual point of boat departure from Texas train and road termination to Niblett's Bluff.

Niblett's Bluff is a historical marker in Orange, Orange County, dedicated in 1964. It is one of 66 historical markers documented in Orange County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 91 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.0910, -93.7310 near Orange. The nearest cataloged historic site is The Sawmill Industry in Orange County (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Atakapan Indians of Orange County, George Alexander Pattillo, and End of the Line Station.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5361011500. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.