Property Overview:
Cedar Ridge Ranch is a high fenced game and cattle ranch with dramatic views of the surrounding and highly sought after Bosque County area. The ranch has been used primarily for recreation, cattle and hay production. The terrain is scenic with hardwood forest, native and improved pastureland, dramatic topography, seasonal drainages and wildlife food plots. Primary features include 1.11+/- miles of Coon Creek, a well-appointed 3474 square foot home and a clear rock bottom 3+ acre fishing lake. The avid sportsman will find outstanding hunting and the cattleman will find productive grazing opportunities. This is an exceptionally well rounded ranch investment.
History:
The area in and around Cedar Ridge Ranch is deep-seated in documented history. The earliest recorded expeditions to the area were in 1721 by the Spanish. During these expeditions, a camp was set up at the conve...
The area in and around Cedar Ridge Ranch is deep-seated in documented history. The earliest recorded expeditions to the area were in 1721 by the Spanish. During these expeditions, a camp was set up at the convergence of the Brazos and Bosque Rivers. Many Native American Indian tribes frequented the area with the main tribes being the Caddo, Tonkawa and three branches of the Wichita. The Tonkawa were the most predominant and lived in skin tents, followed bison, deer and other small animals. They were considered to be roaming hunter/gatherers which provided for many conflicts by the neighboring Comanches to the west.
The land in this area was settled in the early 1850's by John Jackson Smith and his wife Margaret who migrated from Mississippi and founded Smiths Bend Community less than 2 miles east of present day Cedar Ridge Ranch. The Smith's daughter Ann and her husband Silas McCabe then started the nearby community of Coon Creek. The Smith's son passed away in 1856 and the Smith family gave land to establish Smith Bend - Coon Creek Cemetery which borders Cedar Ridge Ranch on the north. An Official Texas Roadside Historical Marker can be found at the cemetery and it is believed that the present day Cedar Ridge Ranch was part of the Smith's land.
Location & General Area:
The front gate of the ranch is only 3.92 miles south of the Lake Whitney dam. The lake was constructed in 1951, has 225 miles of shoreline and covers23,500 surface acres. It is one of the most scenic and recreational lakes in the state of Texas with impressive limestone cliffs and deep clear water. Fishing is excellent and includes impressive populations of striped bass and smallmouth bass. Other activities include skiing, swimming, sailing, scuba diving, and duck hunting in the fall and winter months.
For the avid college sports enthusiast the newly constructed Baylor University's McLane Stadium is a short 35 minute drive from the ranch. Cedar Ridge Ranch is located in the Cross Timbers Grand Prairie Ecological region of Central Texas 85+/- miles from Dallas, 80+/- miles from Fort Worth, 25+/- miles from Waco and 17+/- miles from the quaint town of Clifton. Laguna Park near Lake Whitney is the closest town for ice, fuel and food. This is an exceptionally located ranch in an area with a lot to offer.
Directions from Dallas & Fort Worth:
Interstate 35 south to Hillsboro, TX. Exit Hwy 77 to downtown Hillsboro. Turn right (west) on Hwy 22 through Whitney and crossing the Lake Whitney dam into Laguna Park, TX. Turn left (south) on FM 56 traveling 1.89+/- miles to a "Y" in the road and veer left on FM 2114. The main entrance to Cedar Ridge Ranch will be 1.45+/- miles from the "Y" on the right (south) side of FM 2114.
Alternate Route: Interstate 35 south to West, TX. Exit FM 2114 and turn right (west). After crossing the Brazos River the ranch is 3.72+/- miles on the left (south) side of FM 2114.
Ranch Home & Headquarters Area:
Te ranch home is accessed by an interior all-weather caliche road that meanders through the ranch for 2+/- miles before reaching the home.Secluded, nestled among a canopy of mature live oaks, perched on a dramatic hilltop is the well-appointed 3474 square foot four (4) bedroom four (4) bath ranch home built in 1998 along with a detached two car garage. The back stone patio is partially covered and excellent for relaxing outdoors. There is a rock lined fire pit located off the back porch with spectacular views of the private clear water fishing lake and Coon Creek is a short distance to the North. The yard is tastefully landscaped and has an irrigation system for watering the grass and plants. A quality water well provides the home and landscaping with water. This is the perfect setup, not overdone and just right.
Other Improvements:
Located a short drive from the ranch home is a well-constructed 3,120 SF metal equipment barn for storing ranch equipment and recreational vehicles. There is also an Outback deer hanger with water and electricity at the barn and a small shop/ tack room located inside. Another older rustic barn with a lot of character and new metal gates is located south of the primary barn. The high game fence and cross fencing is in excellent condition. There are also steel working pens, even (7) cattle guards, excellent gates and three (3) newly installed "walking" gates to further enhance the improvements.
Roads & Trails:
The main ranch road is caliche based and provides all-weather access to the ranch home, barn and back gate on the county road. Additionally, there are miles of manicured trails/roads for accessing the remainder of the ranch. The walking gates make nature hikes much more enjoyable without having to crawl over the barbed wire fencing.
Water Features:
One of the focal points of the ranch is Coon Creek. This creek is a limestone bottom creek with clear water. Over 1+ miles of this tree lined creek flows through the northern portion of the ranch with rocky hillsides and several small meadows and a potential wildlife food plot along its banks. The creek runs water several months of the year and has fish in it. There are also 3 concrete dams in the creek that back stretches of water up. The ranch averages 36 inches of rainfall annually.
A 3+ acre clear rock bottom picturesque lake sits below the house with a nice fishing/swimming dock perfect for family gatherings. This lake has excellent bass fishing and the dock is ideal for kids to catch fish and enjoy the outdoors. There are two benches mounted on the dock for sitting down and enjoying the outdoors. There is also a potential 8+/- acre lake site located in a nice drainage with a live oak covered hill above.
The ranch is well watered for cattle and wildlife including 4 stock ponds and an underground waterline with numerous water troughs. The waterlines are currently supplied by rural water with 2 meters in place. There is a water meter on the north FM road and a water meter on the south county road. There is also one active water well and one inactive water well. The active water well provides the house and irrigation system with water. Underground water is good in this area.
Topography:
Elevation change is approximately 155 feet on the ranch ranging from 495'- 650' above sea level with Coon Creek being the low elevation of the ranch. There are a number of deep ravines, hilltop views, wooded hunting areas and scenic rolling pastureland.
Tree Cover & Wildlife Habitat:
Mature live oak, red oak, elm, ash, sumac, hackberry, pecan, cedar, mesquite and variety of other species make up the majority of the woody tree cover. Countless acres have been cleared of cedar allowing forbs and browse to become more prolific. Cedar mulching was recently completed along "Wildlife Way" enhancing this part of the ranch. The southern portion of the ranch is mesquite country with scattered live oaks and good soils. Hunting is more productive in this area adding to the scenic live oak country to the north. Native grasses are diverse and not overgrazed allowing for fawning cover and cattle grazing. There are switch grasses along the creek and little bluestem is thick on top of the hills in many areas. The ranch supports several different ecological systems.
Hunting & Wildlife Management Program:
Cedar Ridge Ranch has been in a game management program for over 10+/- years with annual spotlight & helicopter surveys completed. The entire ranch is high game fenced and currently overseen by a private lands wildlife biologist based in Clifton, TX. It is also in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Managed Lands Deer Program Level III with permits issued annually. Rifle hunting begins in October and goes through February allowing more time in the field to remove does and the correct cull bucks if needed. The hunting pressure has been extremely light and very few trophy buck have been harvested. There are approximately 175-200 deer with a 1 buck: 1.45 doe ratio. The recommended deer density is 1 deer per 10-15 acres. The biologist said there are a good number of 130-140 class bucks and genetics are pretty well native. There were 3-4 breeder bucks turned loose years ago, but they are not thought to have had an impact on the gene pool. There are also 40-45 black buck antelope.
Blinds and feeders consist of three (3) Atascosa tower blinds, three (3) low tower blinds, four (4) corn feeders and three (3) 2000 lb. Outback protein feeders. Four (4) wildlife food plots are actively cultivated and benefit the wildlife as well.
Near the entrance to the ranch are two (2) natural wetlands measuring 2+/- acres and 1+/- acres. These wetlands could be further developed and seasonally planted to provide consistent waterfowl opportunities. This area is perfect for attracting ducks being only 1 mile from the Brazos River, a prolific Central Texas flyway. Ducks are harvested on the natural wetlands annually with no enhancement of habitat. This area could be managed to be an excellent waterfowl habitat.
Rio Grande Turkey are plentiful and there are an abundance of dove in most years. Quail have been observed and heard on the ranch but populations are not adequate for hunting. There are feral hogs, coyotes, and bobcats for year round hunting. Overall, the wildlife and hunting are exceptional on Cedar Ridge Ranch.
Food Plots:
There are 4 areas that are currently being cultivated for the wildlife. The oat patch is the largest field being approximately 21+/- acres. It is one of the most productive hunting areas and is located on the east side of the ranch. A second food plot is 10+/- acres and is located off of the entry road. The "runway" food plot is 5.5+/- acres near the barn. It could be converted into an airstrip if a new owner desired. The fourth and smallest wildlife food plot is 2.5+/- acres and is on the west side of the property off "Wildlife Way". There is a fifth location north of Coon Creek that could easily be planted and would be approximately 10.2 acres.
Soils:
The soil in the bottomland portions of the ranch is primarily Frio and Crawford silty clay. The soils in the upland hay pastures are primarily Denton Silty Clay, Minwells & Bastrop fine sandy loam varieties. These tighter loam soils are lighter in color, well drained and highly productive for hay pastures and crops. The majority of the uplands in the center of the ranch consist of Purves-Maloterre association, undulating. Other soil types around the ranch are Denton & Purves silty clay; Tarrant, Brackett-Eckrant & Purves-Maloterre association; Cranfill gravelly clay loam; Krum & Tarpley clay.
Fencing, Cattle & Grazing:
Upon entering the ranch, the main road is fenced on either side and passes by five (5) cross fenced coastal Bermuda pastures. The improved pastures consist of 175+/- acres typically supporting 65-80 head of cattle that are rotated weekly during the summer months. A centralized trap with steel cattle pens and water are located in the center of the four (4) primary pastures making it easy to rotate cattle. The ranch typically gets 2-3 cuttings supplying 85-100 bales of hay annually. The fifth pasture is located west of the entrance road and is the designated area for a small, but impressive herd of Longhorn cattle.
Rotational grazing is practiced on the native pastures in the fall and winter months. There are three (3) cross fenced native pastures that are not overgrazed and a fourth pasture that is never grazed. The fourth pasture is the largest and includes the house, lake and creek and is preserved for wildlife.
The high fence has been continually maintained and cleared. Water gaps at the entrance and exit of Coon Creek have recently been reworked. Fences are in excellent condition.
Airports:
There are two airports in close proximity Cedar Ridge Ranch. Waco Regional Airport (ACT) is a full service airport located 5+/- miles NW of Waco and 19.7+/- miles from the ranch. It is a Class 1 Airport averaging 98 aircraft per day with two (2) runways measuring 6,596' and 5,896'. Additionally, TSTC Waco Airport (CNW) is located 8+/- miles NE of Waco and 28.3+/- from the ranch. The airport averages 131 aircraft per day with two (2) runways measuring 8,600' and 6,291'. Former President George W. Bush landed Air Force One at TSTC during visits to their family ranch located 16+/- miles SW of Cedar Ridge Ranch.
Hospitals:
There are four urgent care and/or full service hospitals located in close proximity to the ranch. Lake Whitney Medical Center is 11.8+/- miles north; Hill Regional Hospital (Waco, TX) is 25.5+/- miles SE; Providence Health Center (Waco, TX) is 29.4+/- miles SE; Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center (Waco, TX) is 32.8+/- miles SE.
Utilities:
Electricity is provided by Heart of Texas Electric co-op, water is supplied by Smith Bend Water Supply and a private well to the main ranch home. Propane storage tanks and two septic tanks are located NE of the ranch home. Satellite service is provided by Direct TV and High Speed Internet provided by Exede Wild Blue.
Minerals:
Seller is believed to own a portion of the mineral rights and will convey all minerals in Seller's possession. There is no oil and gas activity or leases affecting the ranch. It is clean and doesn't appear that any wells have been drilled on the property in the past. Seller does not know what minerals are owned and it is the Buyer's responsibility to verify mineral percentages.
Taxes:
Cedar Ridge Ranch is agriculturally exempt and taxes were approximately $8,133 for 2014.
Closing Comments:
Cedar Ridge Ranch is a phenomenal ranch offering with countless amenities perfect for a year round getaway. If you are seeking a ranch to escape the city life, hunt/fish, run cattle or spend more time with family and friends then this is the ranch for you!
Asking Price:
$7,784,100 ($4050 per acre)
Contact:
Cash McWhorter - Partner/ Broker
469-222-4076 mobile
Blake Hortenstine - Partner/ Broker
214-616-1305 mobile
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