Sharpsburg and Borden's Ferry

Named for an early area sheep rancher, the town of Sharpsburg grew into a regional trade center in the 1870's when Sidney Gail Borden (d. 1908) operated a general store, cotton gin, grist mill, and grape vineyards; bought a meat packery; and expanded an existing ferry business on the Nueces River. Flat bottomed sailing vessels allowed goods to be shipped on the Shallow River to markets including Corpus Christi. With processing and transportation facilities in place, Borden platted the town of Sharpsburg and sold lots, attracting several hundred settlers. Stores, a post office, a school, and a boardinghouse were also established. Farmers from towns as far away as twenty-five miles came to Sharpsburg to process their goods and ship them to area markets. Sharpsburg's growth peaked in the 1890's. Bypassed by the railroads, its population declined steadily. In 1912 Sharpsburg's school was consolidated with the Odem school district and closed, and in 1913 a bridge was constructed at the Ferry site. Though the town is no longer in existence and its site is again part of an area ranch, Sharpsburg and Borden's ferry remain an important part of early San Patricio County history. (1991)

Sharpsburg and Borden's Ferry is a historical marker in Odem, San Patricio County, dedicated in 1991. It is one of 35 historical markers documented in San Patricio County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 59 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 27.9122, -97.6246 near Odem. The nearest cataloged historic site is Angelita (historical marker), about 0.8 miles away. Others within a short drive include San Pedro, Bethel, and Bethel Baptist Church of Christ and Cemetery.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5409004660. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.