The location of a significant Civil War battlefield, Sabine Pass Battleground State Historic Site tells the story of Confederate Lt. Richard “Dick” Dowling and his 46 men who thwarted a Union assault on Sabine Pass, a primary Texas port for Confederate shipments of supplies and vital to the war effort. In a battle lasting less than an hour, Dowling and his men destroyed two gunboats, resulting in significant casualties and the capture of nearly 350 prisoners. Thanks to their efforts, area ports escaped capture and Union forces never penetrated the Texas interior in the Civil War.
![clock icon](/themes/custom/mc_theme/storybook/src/assets/images/icon-clock.png)
Hours
Wednesday to Sunday
8 a.m.–5 p.m.
![tickets icon](/themes/custom/mc_theme/storybook/src/assets/images/icon-ticket.png)
Tickets
$5 per vehicle
See the site
![Exhibit pavilion at Sabine Pass Battleground](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Sabine%20Pass_01.jpg?h=d8102449&itok=BArT4KT9)
![Exhibit pavilion at Sabine Pass Battleground](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Sabine%20Pass_02.jpg?h=d8102449&itok=UrFOEYoE)
![Visitor fishing at Sabine Pass Battleground](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Sabine%20Pass_03.jpg?h=d8102449&itok=krT7lyld)
![Canon model exhibit at Sabine Pass Battleground](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Sabine%20Pass_07.jpg?h=d8102449&itok=g3_7mUwh)
![Dick Downling statue at Sabine Pass Battleground](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Sabine%20Pass_06.jpg?h=87651328&itok=Oy9MMz_m)
![Dick Downling statue with a ship in the background at Sabine Pass Battleground](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Sabine%20Pass_05.jpg?h=d8102449&itok=9CE1eqN4)
![Grounds at Sabine Pass Battleground](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Sabine%20Pass_04.jpg?h=d8102449&itok=w2K28S63)
![Exhibit pavilion at Sabine Pass Battleground](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Sabine%20Pass_01.jpg?h=d8102449&itok=BArT4KT9)
![Exhibit pavilion at Sabine Pass Battleground](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Sabine%20Pass_02.jpg?h=d8102449&itok=UrFOEYoE)
![Visitor fishing at Sabine Pass Battleground](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Sabine%20Pass_03.jpg?h=d8102449&itok=krT7lyld)
![Canon model exhibit at Sabine Pass Battleground](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Sabine%20Pass_07.jpg?h=d8102449&itok=g3_7mUwh)
![Dick Downling statue at Sabine Pass Battleground](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Sabine%20Pass_06.jpg?h=87651328&itok=Oy9MMz_m)
![Dick Downling statue with a ship in the background at Sabine Pass Battleground](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Sabine%20Pass_05.jpg?h=d8102449&itok=9CE1eqN4)
![Grounds at Sabine Pass Battleground](/sites/default/files/styles/image_gallery/public/2023-12/Sabine%20Pass_04.jpg?h=d8102449&itok=w2K28S63)
![Walkway along the water at Sabine Pass Battleground](/sites/default/files/styles/vertical_card/public/2023-12/Sabine%20Pass_08.jpg?h=d8102449&itok=2Gak--8C)
Plan Your Visit
Self-guided site tours of of the site include the bronze statue of Lt. Richard “Dick” Dowling and the memorial to the Union casualties of the battle.
![Canon model exhibit at Sabine Pass Battleground](/sites/default/files/styles/vertical_card/public/2023-12/Sabine%20Pass_07.jpg?h=d8102449&itok=n5NRpYlL)
Sabine Pass Battleground History
On September 8, 1863, the battle of Sabine Pass turned back one of several Union attempts to invade and occupy part of Texas during the Civil War.
![Visitor fishing at Sabine Pass Battleground](/sites/default/files/styles/vertical_card/public/2023-12/Sabine%20Pass_03.jpg?h=d8102449&itok=Jh5HQf25)
Campground
Sabine Pass Battleground offers 50-amp hook ups for RVs with a total of 5 spots.
Sabine Pass Battleground in the Blog
Support Our Historic Sites
Make a gift to the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to supporting the historic sites of the THC.
Donate