, Junction, TX (Kimble County)

WATER: The headwaters of the prized James River pass through this ranch in the form of spring-fed Tobe Branch and Jim Little Draw. Both showed surface flow as of 6/22/08 (severe drought conditions) with several floatable holes providing home to some large bass. This water is regarded as solid and clean, and consists of mostly rock bottom flow as both branches enter the property, then becomes more gravelly with scattered holes as it passes through to the north.

The scenic beauty of the water on this ranch is truly superb, with emerald-green holes studded with giant boulders beneath soaring cliffs and lazy pecan bottoms. On the rock bottom sections, flow paths carved out over the centuries serve as concrete reminders of the reliability of stream flow in this very special area.

Edwards-Trinity aquifer groundwater is available in the area at varying depths and volumes, and the ranch is served by a single well with submersible pump at this time. The site is located in the Kimble County Underground Water District, and they should be contacted for further, more detailed info about groundwater development.

LAND: Almost a perfect square, the ranch is cleanly bisected by the creeks, with 7 old fields laid out under massive bluffs and smooth ridges. Terrain is rolling to cliffy, with elevation variation of over 220’. Some of the most spectacular limestone bluffs to be found are located on this ranch, some of which are inhabited by hundreds of “Swifts,” also known as mudbirds. Plateaus are flat to gently rolling, offering distant viewsheds along their edges, and featuring varieties of oak, mesquite and woody shrubs throughout.

Soils range from deeper, alluvial sandy loam bottoms to thinner, clay-type soils with rock outcrops on the hillsides and tops. There are beautiful fields that have been cultivated in the past, most of which require only minimal restoration to become useful and productive again. Native tall grasses such as bluestem, sideoats grama and indiangrass are found on the ranch, and solid turf exists in many locations as well.

Drop-dead gorgeous pecan bottoms line the streams at several locations, along with towering hardwoods of oak, elm and sycamore. Cedar is present on the site, but is not out of hand and easily controllable at this juncture. Mesquite of varying sizes is scattered throughout as well. The overall vegetation scheme offers great habitat for deer, turkey and songbirds, and there are several existing blue heron nests on site.

Because of the water and secure “lay of the land,” it is doubtless that Native Americans used this area for centuries, and the evidence of that use is vast, and the feel is strong. A recent visit yielded a perfect 4” spear/arrow point, and there are countless shards and chips just lying on the surface in plain view.

IMPROVEMENTS: The improvements include a classic, restorable, frame ranch house, several old barns, a small fishing cabin, set of pens and several other outbuildings. About half of the ranch is high fenced, and interior roads are fair to poor. This is a diamond in the rough in need of some shine, but not a total overhaul. The improvements do not contribute to value significantly, but allow for use in current condition. Electricity and phone service are currently on site.

FINANCIAL/TITLE: Asking $3,750/acre, cash to Sellers, who will provide recent survey and basic title insurance. 50% of owned minerals to transfer to new ownership, and the title is clean with exception of visible electric utilities. There are no transmission or pipe lines passing thru the ranch, nor are there ingress/egress easements to neighboring ranches. The ranch is located in the Junction Independent School District, and 2008 ag-exempt taxes are estimated to be $600.

SUMMARY: Emerald Creek Ranch is one of the most exotic and unusual parcels of land remaining in the rapidly-fragmenting Texas Hill Country, requiring a basic shine-up to new owner’s tastes, with end result being an isolated recreational paradise with awesome natural features, wildlife and enough production potential to keep a family busy. The combination of seclusion, beauty, mystical feel and interesting water create a haven that, upon inspection, demands serious consideration by the serious, recreation-minded family or group. See ya’ at the end of the road!

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.SHOWN BY APPOINTMENT WITH LANDTX AGENTS 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.