Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
http://sartinsnederland.com
;
3520 Nederland Ave; mains $15-20; 11am-9pm Mon-Thu, to 10pm Fri & Sat, to 3pm
Sun)
Although owned by an ex-daughter-in-law of the original Sartin restaurant family in
Sabine Pass, this casual Nederland outlet is still famous for its barbecued crabs. Those and
other grilled or fried seafood, with a Cajun spice, are offered alone and in combo platters.
Information
Port Arthur Convention and Visitors Bureau
(
800-235-7822, 409-985-7822;
www.visitportarthurtx.com
; 3401
8am-5pm Mon-Fri)
Area visitor guides are available in person, or by request
Cultural Center Dr;
online.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Around Port Arthur
Driving through the refineries from Port Arthur the 12 miles south along TX 87 to Sabine
Pass and beyond offers an interesting look at the area's historic past, its economy and its
nature today. During the Civil War, the pass was vital to the Confederacy if it hoped to
continue its lucrative cotton trade with England and France. The small fort that was built
there is now offshore, but detailed outdoor displays at
Sabine Pass Battleground State Historic Site
( 409-971-2451;
www.visitsabinepassbattleground.com
; admission free; 8am-5pm)
recall the conflagra-
tion in which 47, mostly drunk, Irish- Texans held off 4000 Union Troops. The 57-acre
park offers great views of passing ships, plus idle oil rigs, and has good picnic areas.
After Sabine Pass, TX 87 theoretically continues for 50 miles southwest to Bolivar Pen-
insula and Galveston Island. But much of the road has been closed for years because of
hurricane damage. The furthest you can get from this end is
Sea Rim State Park
(
800-792-1112;
www.tpwd.state.tx.us
; TX 87)
, a bird-watching favorite. Blinds have been built in key
areas around the more than 15,000 treeless acres that include marshlands north of TX 87
and 5 miles of beaches south of the road. Services are limited to the occasional earth-
friendly outhouse.
