Before the Civil War, cotton was King in east Texas. Even north-east Texas had access to sea ports through which the enormous bales of snow white cash crop flowed. One of the greatest loading docks for the cotton bales no longer exists. The whispy hairs of Spanish moss draped on Cypress limbs, continues to whisper the story of Port Caddo in a corner of north east Texas, right across the border from Louisianna. 
Though Port Caddo no longer physically exists, we set off on an adventure to see if we could re-create the feel of those time past when steam powered paddle wheelers escorted the marvelous cloth-to-be all the way down to Galveston and then own.
Drive out I-20 for about miles and you come to the old town of Marshall. Marshall is the exit to the mysterious backwaters of Caddo Lake and Port Caddo. It also seemed a dandy place for me and my wife, Connie to spend the night before embarking on our steam boat cruise.
(The photo on the right is from a collection of Post Cards at .) More pictures of Steam-powered paddle wheeler escorting Cotton down the Red River can be seen here.
You can read more history about the steamboats and cotton in Texas here.
Story of the Mittie Stephens Steamship
More info on the Mittie Stephens Gold
Map of Caddo Lake that shows Swansons landing
Google Map of Caddo Lake
Link to My Google map
My Google Map edit page
GPS for Caddo Lake
My name is Kate and I am trying to find a copy of the color post card of the paddle boat on your main page for China Galland who is publishing a book with Harpers in the winter of 2007 on East Texas. I do not see this particular image in the Dellmon Collection at the LSU site. As well, the email for their archivist is bouncing back. Is there any chance that you can help us? I look forward to hearing from you.
Warm wishes, Kate Danaher
on behalf od China Galland
Posted by: China Galland | September 05, 2006 at 05:55 PM