LOCATION: This scenic ranch fronts on FM 1888 in far northern Kendall County in an area of prestigious working and recreational ranches, including many showplaces. The front gate is about 20 miles from Fredericksburg, 12 miles from Blanco and 35 miles from Boerne. Austin is 75 miles east, and San Antonio is 55 miles south, thus the location is central to most of the exciting Texas Hill Country. There has been very little subdivision activity in this area, thus enhancing the appeal for those buyers searching for an escape from the masses.
GENERAL: This ranch had single ownership for decades, and it has been worked as a family farm throughout that period of ownership, providing practical sustenance and recreation, while still being adequately managed for agriculture and wildlife. The place has all of the features one could ever want on a small Hill Country ranch: viewpoints, bottom...
GENERAL: This ranch had single ownership for decades, and it has been worked as a family farm throughout that period of ownership, providing practical sustenance and recreation, while still being adequately managed for agriculture and wildlife. The place has all of the features one could ever want on a small Hill Country ranch: viewpoints, bottomland fields, canyons, forests, and strong-flowing live water in the form of both sides of the Blanco River and a “permanent” spring-fed creek that is unnamed.
The Blanco River flows from large springs in the hills above this ranch, and begins to assume its famous, rock-bottom characteristics on this ranch, as there are several “slabs” one can drive across through the surging waters. Clear, cold water babbles beneath towering rock bluffs through a series of rapids and deep, clear holes deep enough to swim in and dive into. Large boulders and rock shelves create streamside lounging areas, and grassy, oak-studded bottoms add to the park-like feel. There are several excellent dam sites along the 3,500+ feet of this waterway, which has not dried up since the 1950’s according to the owners.
A rushing, spring creek also flows through the ranch for over 2,000 feet, and ownership controls both sides of this stream as well. Several clear holes punctuate numerous small waterfalls as this delightful brook winds its way to the river. A nice fishing lake has been constructed just above the river plain, and a fabulous waterfall drenches a swimming hole just below that lake. This creek has never gone dry per the owners, and has been the main source of water to the residences for decades.
This classic layout includes frontage on FM 1888, one of the most scenic routes in the Hill Country, with a low hill in front sloping down to fertile bottoms along the river and creek. These fields are lined and dotted with giant hardwoods, including oak, elm and pecan trees. The land rises to the south of the river up to a spectacular high hill with panoramic views of the surrounding valley and hills, then dropping off into a spectacular canyon near the southern boundary. Another pond is located near the SE corner of the property. Total elevation change on the ranch is over 240 feet from bottom to top.
Game is plentiful, and includes whitetail deer, axis deer, turkey, dove and varmints. Fishing is good for bass, catfish and perch in the river and pond. The tree cover is just right, with ample browse available for deer, yet plenty of lush grassland and fields left for livestock. Current owners have manicured much of the ranch and upgraded road systems, creating a refined yet pristine look and feel.
Improvements are minimal, and include a hunter’s cabin, a clean mobile home that could serve as a foreman’s residence, several sheds and an old windmill that could possibly be converted to a submersible pump. Fencing and crossfencing are fair to poor, and fields are clean with no regrowth. A relatively unobtrusive LCRA line crosses the southernmost part of the ranch.
There are few ranches possessing all of the desirable characteristics of the Hill Country of such a manageable and affordable size on the market, especially with such a large volume of both-sides controlled flowing water. We urge you to schedule your viewing of the Upper Blanco River Ranch today, as it is very likely that it will be gone tomorrow.
FINANCIAL: Asking $17,500/acre, cash to Sellers, who will provide title policy and existing recent survey. Offers are encouraged and will be given the utmost consideration. The information contained herein is deemed reliable, but is subject to change, errors and/or omissions, prior sale and withdrawal from market, and is not warranted by Sellers or Broker. Buyers are urged to verify representations on their own and draw their own conclusions about the usefulness of the property for a given purpose. 2006 taxes are $110.96 and the site is located in the Blanco School District. 50 % minerals are owned, and Seller will convey 50% with executive leasing rights. Shown by appointment only – DO NOT TRESPASS.
Buyer’s brokers must be identified on first contact, and must accompany buying prospect on first showing to be allowed full fee participation. If this condition is not met, fee participation will be at sole discretion of LANDTX, David E. Culver, broker.
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