| Texas |
| Ranch | Code: | 443 |
| Where the oaks of Central Texas meet the Mesquite of South Texas, this 2,500 acre (1,000 hectare) ranch is one of the most |
| beautiful and historic "smaller" working cattle ranches in Texas. Located in Gonzales County, where the first shot of the |
| Texas Revolution was fired with the famous "Come and Take It" cannon, it has been in Lieutenant Colonel Clay Allen's family |
| for six generations since 1854. 144 years of continuous ownership by the same family makes it one of the oldest original |
| ranches in this part of Texas. The original log cabin and log barn, built around 1873, can be seen less than one mile from the |
| main guest house. The infamous Texas outlaw of the late 1800's, John Wesley Hardin, had a home on this ranch and the |
| foundation blocks can still be seen across the creek on one of the horse trails. One of the most practical, or you might say |
| 'inventive,' killers in Texas, Lonnie Burnett, lived in an underground home nearby. He loved to have company and hung a sign, |
| "Welcome Stranger" on the door to welcome guests. The 10 gauge shotgun tied to the door was to insure a long stay. The |
| wagon tracks of the legendary Camino Real (Kings Highway), between San Antonio de Bexar and Galveston, can still be |
| seen running through this ranch. |
| Supposedly, Generalissimo Santa Anna's wagon train, loaded with gold to pay his troops, was buried on this ranch when |
| the Mexican Paymaster learned of the General's defeat at San Jacinto. Five miles from the ranch is "Salt Flat," where untold |
| generations of Indians found salt on the surface of the ground and collected it under a mutual peace treaty older than the |
| pyramids. The ranch is featured in the Southwestern Gem Hunters Guide, as it has an ancient rock fault running through the |
| Southern part, which is rich in petrified wood and palm tree, agate, jasper, quartz, and other minerals ideal for jewelry or |
| collecting. Two creeks run through the ranch, lined with oaks, elm, and pecans, begging for exploration by foot or horse. |
| They are full of large catfish, waiting to be caught. Wild hogs, whitetail deer, and wild turkey gather at the feeding station |
| less than 100 meters from the main guest house. Other wildlife, such as armadillos, squirrels, and even a gray fox roam the |
| ranch, or rather, the yard of the guest house. Almost every night, a large pack of coyotes, roaming the surrounding woods, |
| serenade the guests. One of the oldest live oak trees in this part of Texas, the Indian's Salt Flat Truce Tree, is located on the |
| ranch. Over 600 years old, this tree was better than 143 years old when Coronado explored parts of Texas for the fabled 7 |
| cities of gold. On a quiet day, you can almost hear the stories it could tell, in the rustling leaves. |
| Working Ranch Guest Activities - Unstructured. Rest, relax, or join in as you wish. This is a working ranch with normal ranch |
| activities. They change daily and can include cattle work such as sorting, gathering, scattering, roundup, roping, branding, |
| riding fence, and going to cattle auctions to help us buy and sell cattle. Tell them what you would like to try and they will |
| attempt to accommodate. All riding is geared to ability levels and previous riding experience is recommended, but not |
| required. There are a limited number of horses suitable to beginner and novice riders. You may, depending on your ability |
| and desire, participate in all ranch activities that are available. You can take relaxing nature walks, or enjoy the sun around |
| the pool. Wildlife and nature photography. Sandies and Elm Creek, 2 natural lakes, and 8 stocked lakes offer fishing for |
| catfish and bass! |
| The on and off ranch activities listed below can be scheduled upon request, time and work load permitting. The ranch will |
| always try to accommodate guest requests. Some of the off ranch activities may cost extra. Plan on staying at least 7 nights |
| for maximum enjoyment: |
| Roping Lessons |
| Horse management instruction |
| Unlimited riding (NOT nose to tail) |
| Professional Western Riding Instruction |
| Team Penning lessons |
| Cattle work in the pens (branding, sorting - strictly on a request basis) |
| Playday Instruction - barrel racing, pylons, etc |
| Shooting instruction - rifle and pistol |
| Farrier demonstration |
| Pasture management instruction |
| Historical tours |
| Visit to Cattle Auction |
| Visit to Saddle Factory |
| Visit to local rodeo (barrel racing and calf roping) |
| One or more meals at Cowboy restaurants in the area (where our friends eat) |
| And these after-work activities are open to everyone staying at the ranch.... |
| Pool for swimming |
| Fishing |
| Horseshoes |
| Pool table |
| TV room with video library (Star Wars to John Wayne) |
| home |
| America 4 You L.L.C. | 1 |