Bull Turner Springs Ranch , Benjamin, TX 79505(Knox County)

According to Springs of Texas (Gunnar Brune, 1981), a definitive statewide hydrogeologic reference compiled by the former Texas Water Development Board hydrologist, field observations measured spring discharge at approximately 2.5 liters per second, equivalent to roughly 2,378 gallons per hour, flowing continuously from sand and gravel formations. The sustained flow supported aquatic life including minnows, frogs, and dragonflies—clear biological indicators of permanent groundwater discharge.

These springs provided dependable water during historic droughts, including 1902 and 1918, when cattle were driven long distances to reach reliable flow, and again during the 2011 drought, demonstrating exceptional long-term resilience. Numerous secondary seeps discharge along the creek corridor, creating shaded pools, wet banks, and continuous surface water that persists year-round.

This gravity-fed water system requires no pumps or electricity, providing exceptional drought security. Live water is present along the entire length of the creek corridor on the property, which stretches more than a mile, with continuous surface flow maintained year-round by the spring system.

WHY WATER MATTERS

At Bull Turner Springs Ranch, water is not simply a feature—it is a foundational asset. The ranch is anchored by spring-fed Bull Turner Creek and a proven groundwater system that has sustained consistent flow through severe drought cycles and changing climatic conditions. As naturally occurring freshwater becomes increasingly scarce, documented and gravity-fed water resources such as these enhance long-term usability, ecological stability, and generational value.

HISTORICAL • CULTURAL FEATURES

(Owner Observations)

According to long-term ownership, above the spring grotto along Bull Turner Creek lies the site of a mid-19th-century buffalo hunters’ dugout. At one time, remnants of old timbers were visible at the site, consistent with early dugout construction typical of the period. Surface finds from this area have included broken crockery, square-head nails, and spent cartridges consistent with Sharps buffalo rifles. These findings suggest that buffalo hunters utilized this dugout during the major buffalo hunts of the late 1870s, relying on the dependable spring-fed water source for shelter, horses, and equipment.

In the southwest portion of the ranch, an early concrete cistern remains embedded in the ground. The structure is open and appears to be of early construction, suggesting it may have served as part of a mid- to late-19th-century homestead site, potentially associated with Bull Turner, for whom the creek and springs are named. While not formally excavated, the cistern represents an important historical feature and contributes to the ranch’s layered past.

Artifacts collected from this area have been retained by ownership, providing tangible evidence of early use and underscoring the strategic importance of the spring-fed corridor.

Throughout the ranch’s rugged breaks and badlands, ownership has also discovered numerous fossils and several Native American artifacts, reflecting prehistoric and historic use of the land and further emphasizing the long-standing significance of this spring-anchored landscape.

HISTORIC BURNETT RANCH LEGACY (Owner History)

According to ownership, Bull Turner Springs Ranch represents the finest remaining portion of what was historically known as the Burnett Ranch. In 1931, the owner’s grandfather, Clyde Burnett, assembled approximately 13,000 acres in this area after purchasing the original ranch from W. T. Ward during a formative period in West Texas ranching history.

Clyde Burnett was a nephew of Burk Burnett, one of the most influential cattlemen in Texas history. Ownership notes that Anne Burnett, Burk Burnett’s granddaughter and an heir to the historic Four Sixes Ranch, provided financial backing for the original acquisition. Over time, the larger ranch was divided among heirs, with this tract retaining the most desirable combination of live water, terrain diversity, and scenic character.

Ownership further notes that cattle historically carried the “9” brand, identical to an inverted “6,” reflecting the family’s connection to the Four Sixes Ranch and reinforcing the property’s deep ties to Texas ranching heritage.

LAND • TERRAIN

The ranch offers a diverse and highly desirable combination of rugged badlands and breaks, a fertile hardwood-lined riparian corridor, and deep-soil uplands supporting native grasses such as buffalo grass. Additional native species include silver bluestem, little bluestem, and tobosa grass, contributing to strong grazing capacity, wildlife habitat, and overall drought resilience.

Interspersed throughout the uplands and along elevated ridgelines, the property also offers exceptional scenic value. Elevated vantage points overlook the South Wichita River valley and surrounding breaks, with several locations across the ranch—identified through ownership familiarity and multiple documented site visits—providing expansive, dynamic views well suited for future homesites. These elevated settings capture the rugged beauty of the badlands, layered terrain, and long sightlines that define this portion of Knox County.

WILDLIFE • RECREATION

With dependable year-round water, varied terrain, and strong native habitat, the ranch provides outstanding conditions for whitetail deer, Rio Grande turkey, quail, dove, and other native wildlife. The spring-fed creek system naturally holds game on the property throughout all seasons.

IMPROVEMENTS

The ranch is perimeter-fenced, with some areas on the east end of the ranch, in need of replacement. No surface tanks are required due to the permanent spring and creek water system. A rural water co-op meter is available approximately 50 yards from the main gate, and electric service is already on the property, providing convenient access for future improvements or operational needs.

LOCATION • ACCESSIBILITY

The ranch is located approximately 15 miles northeast of Benjamin, Texas, off FM 267, and within comfortable driving distance of major Texas cities:

• Lubbock – approximately 130 miles

• Fort Worth – approximately 166 miles

• Dallas – approximately 189 miles

• Austin – approximately 290 miles

Bull Turner Springs Ranch is located less than one-half mile from the historic Waggoner Ranch, one of the largest contiguous ranches in Texas, held under a single fence.

General aviation access is available via Munday Municipal Airport (32F) with a runway of 3200-foot asphalt runway, Harrison Field of Knox City Airport (F75), featuring a 3,200-foot asphalt runway, and Seymour Municipal Airport (60F), offering a 4,300-foot asphalt runway suitable for a wide range of general aviation aircraft.

MINERALS • WIND ENERGY • SOLAR ENERGY

Negotiable

SUMMARY

Bull Turner Springs Ranch offers a rare convergence of documented historic springs, permanent gravity-fed live water, diverse terrain, and deep cultural heritage. With water sources proven for more than a century and a historically measured flow of approximately 2,378 gallons per hour, this Knox County ranch stands among the most water-secure properties in the region, well suited for legacy ownership and long-term operational use.

PRICING

The offering price of $2,850 per acre, or $2,408,250, reflects the ranch’s position as a durable hard asset, supported by proven gravity-fed live water that reduces long-term operational risk and enhances land security.

ORIGIN OF THE NAME — BULL TURNER

Bull Turner was a regional cowman for whom Bull Turner Creek and its springs are named. Period sources indicate that Turner was killed in April 1887 while traveling through Knox County, near present-day Benjamin, Texas, during a time when frontier travel was often dangerous. One account recalls that Turner was driving a team when he was ambushed and killed, with at least one horse wounded. A separate newspaper report from the same period references the arrest of a suspect described as a member of the “Brooking Gang,” reportedly responsible for the killing. Turner’s name remains permanently tied to the creek and springs, reflecting both his presence on the land and the historical importance of this spring-fed corridor in early West Texas settlement.