Near Jonesville in Harrison County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Swanson's Landing

(Site 16 Mi. NE; Historic Railroad Bed Here)

Photographed by James Hulse, January 25, 2022

1. Swanson's Landing Marker

Inscription. A key port on Caddo Lake for traffic to New Orleans, 1830s - 1860s. Founded by Peter Swanson (1789-1849), a civil engineer and planter. Cotton, pelts and other products went out and settlers' goods came in at this landing.

1850s terminal of Southern Pacific (first railroad in east Texas), built to Marshall from the landing. During Civil War 1861-1865, road was rerouted to haul troops between Marshall and western Louisiana.

Later, port declined. Steamer "Mittie Stephens" on Feb. 11, 1869. Burned near Swanson's Landing, with loss of 69 lives.

Erected 1969 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 10216.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is February 11, 1869.

Location. 32° 31.115′ N, 94° 7.17′ W. Marker is near Jonesville, Texas, in Harrison County. It is on Farm to Market Road 134 0.2 miles north of Concord Road, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located along the west side of the highway at a small pullout. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jonesville TX 75659, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Former Site of Old Concord Methodist Church and Concord Masonic Lodge (approx. half a mile away); Town of Scottsville

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(approx. 7 miles away); Harrison County (approx. 7.7 miles away); Historic Roadside Park (approx. 7.7 miles away); New Hope Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 8 miles away); Dunn Home (approx. 9.9 miles away in Louisiana); Marshall-Shreveport Stagecoach Road (approx. 10 miles away); Booker T. Washington School (approx. 10½ miles away).

Also see . . . Mittie Stephens.

The loss of the sidewheel steamboat Mittie Stephens took place on the dark night of February 12, 1869, in Caddo Lake near the Texas-Louisiana border. Sixty-one people perished out of 107 passengers and crew members. The vessel was built in Madison, Indiana, in 1863 and served as a Union naval transport and packet during the Civil War. She took part in the failed Shreveport campaign as a part of Adm. David Porter's fleet. In 1864 she was sold into private ownership and ran on the Missouri River and then in the New Orleans-Bayou Sarah trade. In 1866 the Mittie Stephens began serving on the New Orleans-Red River route. At that time Jefferson, Texas, was the head of navigation via Caddo Lake due to the great log raft that obstructed vessel traffic on the Red River.
Photographed by James Hulse, January 25, 2022

2. Swanson's Landing Marker
The riverboat traffic was quite heavy; 226 steamboats called at Jefferson in 1872. Source: The Handbook of Texas

(Submitted on January 28, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the Swanson's Landing Marker from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 25, 2022

3. The view of the Swanson's Landing Marker from the street

Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,849 times since then and 154 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 28, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.