LOCATION: This fine ranch is located on Delaware Creek Road in far northern Kendall County, about 20 minutes from Blanco and Fredericksburg (shopping, supplies, good hospital, restaurants, big box stores), 35 minutes from Boerne (even more) and about 55 minutes from far northern San Antonio and/or far SW Austin (everything else). The area is nicely secluded and consists of some of the largest ranches in the area (up to 6,000 acres), with very little small tract subdivision. Delaware Creek Road is defined as a privately maintained, public road.
Once part of the sprawling Whitworth Ranch, this tract remains in the hands of Whitworth heirs, and has large neighbors on all sides with exception of the north, where the Eichenloff family has begun dividing up their holdings amongst heirs into tracts as small as 160 acres. The area is known as the headwaters of the fabulous Blanco River, one...
Once part of the sprawling Whitworth Ranch, this tract remains in the hands of Whitworth heirs, and has large neighbors on all sides with exception of the north, where the Eichenloff family has begun dividing up their holdings amongst heirs into tracts as small as 160 acres. The area is known as the headwaters of the fabulous Blanco River, one of the true gems of the Hill Country, and a fork of that river originates on this ranch.
There are few parts of the Hill Country which afford such easy access to amenities, yet are so exquisitely remote and little-used, as the canyons that flow north from the high ridge of hills dividing the Blanco and Pedernales River drainages. This ranch owns virtually all of one of those canyons, and part of another.
WATER: The property features about three miles worth of live creeks, parts of which hold water year round, including two deep lakes of about 2.5 acres each when full. This includes the creek-like river, which presents small falls, holes and riffles throughout its course. A strong creek flows in from the east, joining the S. Blanco above a deep, narrow lake, creating two sets of spectacular falls funneling into clear, blue holes of water brimming with sunfish and bass. This setting is superb. . . and totally private!
The ranch has several other good stock tanks, which hold water in drought conditions, and both of the larger lakes are full of fish, and never go dry. Several springs issue forth on the property, including a landmark spring which was once a primary water source for this part of the Whitworth holdings. Due to the solid spring and surface water on the property, few water wells were drilled, and only two known wells have been located on the ranch, and there is no data available on either one.
Water for livestock is generally available at around 250 in this area, with the deeper, sweeter water suitable for human consumption available at around 600. For further information on area groundwater, contact the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District
call 830-816-2504.
LAND: This ranch is truly one of the most gorgeous pieces of land we have seen, with beautiful, clean fields sprinkled alongside the primary drainage, backed by handsome hills decorated with scattered trees. The river bottom is a riparian paradise, with large trees shading the babbling stream as it meanders thru and under limestone cliffs. Much of the cedar has been removed, resulting in a clean, refined look that is easy on the eyes.
The topography is gently rolling to steep canyon country, with nice variation across the ranch. Massive views can be had from the many high points, and there is a total elevation change of about 330 from top to bottom. One canyon offers a solid potential site for additional large lake, and another offers flowing spring water in a pristine, lush riparian setting. Also, it appears that there are several additional potential lake sites on both Delaware Creek and the S. Blanco River, as well as the unnamed creek entering from the east.
Soils range from clay loam in the bottoms to silty clays with limestone outcrops on the tops, with hillsides not showing signs of heavy erosion. Yes, there is enough good quality soil on this ranch to grow things and produce large animals, with clean fields quite suitable for cultivation/orchards/horses. Currently, decent stands of native tall grasses and turfs remain intact, sometimes invaded by agarita, persimmon and prickly pear (not much). Primary hardwoods include healthy stands of liveoak, Spanish Oak, walnut, pecan, cherry, sycamore, burr oak, shin oak and a small amount of cedar.
Wildlife is abundant, featuring deer, turkey, songbirds, dove and some wild hogs. Varmints include ringtail cat, bobcat, squirrel, opossum, skunk and fox, and there are exotic game sometimes observed in the area that have escaped from adjoining, high-fenced ranches. The ranch has been commercially hunted by same group for years, with no signs of abuse, and the grazing tenant has been careful to avoid overgrazing.
IMPROVEMENTS: Outside of an old, usable hunting cabin with electricity, mostly poor fences and cross-fences (with exception of long part of east boundary which is high fenced), and adequate interior roads, there are no improvements on the ranch.
FINANCIAL/TITLE: Asking $4,950/acre, cash to sellers, who will provide current survey and basic title insurance. Minerals are negotiable, and access to the property is provided by legal easement over Delaware Creek Road. The ranch is located in the Blanco Independent School District, electricity is provided by Pedernales Electric Co-op, and 2009 ag-exempt taxes were $1705.
SUMMARY: This is one of the most reasonably priced, premier quality ranches available in todays marketplace. The clean, sophisticated look and feel of this property is top-shelf, the water is solid, and the variety is superb. This ranch would make an ideal family or corporate retreat, and the bonus of having way-fun Fredericksburg nearby increases the family fun factor significantly. Old family ranches are becoming fewer and farther between. This is a ground floor opportunity, with much of the basic work already done, for a visionary to put the finishing touches on what should be a final-product masterpiece for all to behold and appreciate.
The information contained herein has been diligently assembled and is deemed reliable, but is not warranted by Broker or Seller, express or implied, and is subject to change, prior sale, errors and/or omissions and withdrawal from market. Buyers must verify accuracy of representations on their own, as well as investigate potentially pertinent natural attributes, laws and regulations, and draw their own conclusions regarding the usefulness and value of the property for a given purpose. Viewing appointments scheduled with LANDTX.
SHOWN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY DO NOT TRESPASS.
Buyers 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.