Mason, TX 76856(Mason County)

LOCALE: The area is secluded and little-visited, and is bursting with legend and lore, as well as Native American artifacts (known petroglyphs in the area). Nearby Mason is a prized Hill Country destination, known for its unique population of hard working and creative folks, and stunningly beautiful Courthouse Square. Good restaurants, banks, medical services, supplies and groceries are readily available in this uber-cool community, known as Tennis Town Texas. For more information on the City of Mason or Mason County, go to their websites.

Fredericksburg (high end shops, restaurants, jet airport, hospital) is located 35 miles SE, and Brady (jet strip, Wal Mart) is located 30 miles north. Austin and San Antonio (international airports, major medical centers, universities, box stores) are both about 2 hours SE, and the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex is about 4 hours north.

Property Address: 4894 Leon Creek Road, Mason, Texas 76856.

ECOREGION: BHR is located in the ecoregion of the Llano Uplift. The Llano Uplift is also known as the central mineral region. Although surrounded by the Edwards Plateau region, the Llano Uplift is distinguished by its unique geology. Home to some of the oldest rocks in Texas, the central mineral region contains unique minerals and rock formations. The region is characterized by large granite domes, such as Enchanted Rock near Fredericksburg. Rainfall averages about 24 to 32 inches per year, peaking in May or June and September. The landscape is rolling to hilly and elevation range from 825 to 2,250 feet above sea level. Soils are predominantly coarse textured sands, produced from weathered granite over thousands of years. Native vegetation consists of oak-hickory or oak-juniper woodlands, mesquite-mixed brush savannah, and grasslands. The woody vegetation may consists of plateau live oak, honey mesquite, post oak, blackjack oak, cedar elm, and some black hickory present depending on aspect and habitat. Flora normally found in the deserts of West Texas, such as catclaw mimosa and soaptree yucca, also occur on dry sites. Ashe juniper and Texas oak are generally absent from the Llano Uplift. Grasses include little bluestem, switchgrass, yellow Indiangrass, and silver bluestem. Dome-like granite hills and outcrops contain unusual plant communities. Although ranching is the major land use, level areas of sandy loam produce wheat, sorghum, and peaches. For more information, visit the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department website.

WATER: Simply put, this is some of the most reliable, high volume surface water flow seen by this observer, on such a small parcel of land, in a totally private setting ever. Leon Creek flows at a minimum of 50-60 gpm during the worst drought to hit the area in decades in 2014. The site is bisected by this spectacular waterway for about 2,800, with the upper section being the filter zone of bunchgrass and willow bacharis which releases and flows magnificently into the Blue Hole.

This feature is simply spectacular, in a totally private setting, with cold water flowing from beneath a submerged limestone shelf. Water is up to 7 deep and one can dive in from both sides, and wade in gradually from each end. It is an awesome natural swimming pool, chock full of large fish, including bass and carp. Bald cypress trees have been transplanted recently, creating a totally unique, cypress-enclosed hole of water. Scenic, colorful limestone cliffs rise up along the lower portion of creek frontage, culminating at a spectacular slot waterfall gushing into a deep, long pool beneath lazy liveoaks. This setting just reeks of days gone by and Native American presence for centuries.

Another section of creek, known as the tubs, features linked bathtub sized holes that are simply delightful to relax in on a hot summer day, with noisy water flowing over and all around you in the most serene and private setting possible.

There is a new 50 gpm water well on site, and average annual rainfall is 29 inches. For more information on area groundwater, contact the Hickory Underground Water Conservation District wesbite.

LAND: The site itself is the ruggedly handsome breaks generally associated with the major drainages that feed the Llano River in this region. This is rough country with some spectacular limestone cliffs, as well as rumored caves. There is little to no smooth land, however there are numerous building sites adjacent to the water, as well as on the higher ground with distant views to the Blue Mountains. The site itself lays perfectly for long distance shooting.

The place falls from north to south almost 200 in elevation, and the country is mixed liveoak/mesquite/cedar, with a few monster liveoaks along Leon Creek, as well as on an unnamed creek that cuts across the eastern portion of the site. In fact, that creek bottom offers up some of the most scenic country on the ranch, with mixed oak and elm bottoms backed up to limestone cliffs and outcrops. Bald cypress have been planted around the swimming hole and along the creek bank, and thrive in the clear flowing water.

This place has recently been cleared of 90% of the dead cedar timber, and at present, shines like a diamond compared to neighboring lands after recent prescribed burns. Hand clearing has opened up a rare, old-growth cedar bottom flanked by 70 80 cliffs, and never-seen viewsheds continually dazzle observers.

This area is known for consistent, good quality, heavy whitetail deer, and it is not uncommon to hear of 150 B&C deer harvested. Turkey hunting is generally excellent, and there are plenty of feral hogs available as well.

Soils are primarily patches of loam with much rock outcrop, supporting native grasses and forbs, which thrive in rainfall and burn quickly in drought, typical of the area. This is what many call hard country, not really suitable for any type of intense livestock operation, but perfect for playing, having fun and doing interesting things in a totally private and stunning setting.

IMPROVEMENTS: The site is unimproved, except for electricity run to a cabin pad, and interior pasture roads, and exterior fencing. There is also a new 50 gpm water well, well house and underground water and electricity to two separate sites with firepits. Two stone patios have been constructed at stunning locations, one with built in firepit. Fencing ranges in condition from new to poor, and there is a new electric gate entrance. An old Mason School Bus rests atop some flat ground near the southern tip, adding some nostalgia.

SUMMARY: Blue Hole Ranch is the best private live water for the money, in this seasoned observers opinion. This place is uber-private, remote. . . and packed with power and mystery. There are markings that could be petroglyphs on a bluff on the ranch. . . there are known petroglyphs just downstream. The water is gin clear and shimmering blue in late summer. The swimming hole has provided multiple families indelible memories. . . there will only be one chance to snag this one, so dont wait!

FINANCIAL/TITLE: Listing Price is $5,950/acre = $999,600, cash to Sellers. Sellers will provide basic survey acceptable to title company, all owned minerals convey. There are no easements on site other than utility service. The ranch lies in the Mason ISD, is served by Central Texas Electric Coop, and 2015 ag-exempt taxes were $208.74.

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 staff only. 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 David E. Culver, Broker.