Vian, OK 74862(Sequoyah County)

A three story rock and timber cabin overlooks a fishing pond and rock sitting area at the top of the mountain. This structure was expanded from a historic rock structure that predated the Magbee ownership.

In addition, this property has future commercial possibilities with 2 1/2 miles of I 40 frontage and 3/4 mile of exit frontage. The chance to have exit frontage on I 40 does not come along very often.

Wildlife/Hunting:

140 to 150 class whitetails, turkeys and ducks are plentiful on the property. Ponds are stocked with bass and catfish. A black bear frequents the cabin area.

Minerals:

Rare offering of surface and minerals. The sellers will convey all mineral ownership with the surface. They have a mineral deed and attorney opinion showing ownership of 700 net acres of minerals. There is a possibility of additional mineral ownership not documented by deed or opinion.

Taxes:

$2,000 per year

Property Summary:

The 1349 acres of Thurman Magbee Ranch are simply beautiful. Located in the Cookson Hills of Sequoyah County near Vian, OK, this ranch has been gracefully stewarded by the Magbee family for decades. This property became the family refuge where they would retreat to spend time together hunting, fishing, hiking and just being.

I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Magbee but when I walk the meadows and woods of this property I get a good feel for what a conservation minded fellow he was. You see it first in the trees. There are grand oaks along Vian Creek that look to be well over 100 years old. They are massive at the base, some of them probably 4 ft in diameter or more. The land rolls beneath them down to the clear water of Vian Creek that flows over flat slabs of shale and cascades over a 50 foot wide waterfall. The Magbee family has also maintained a beautiful system of meadows among the forested areas of the property. The meadows curve and flow through wooded fingers and rock lined drainages. It all seems so organic and natural.

Beyond the meadows, the land slopes dramatically upward to a flat bench meadow and then upward again further to the ridgetop. Here you encounter a rock cabin built at the time of statehood. It is dated and needs repairs but could be a very nice family destination with some care and upgrading. From the front porch, you look down a rock path that leads to a huge rock fire pit and patio overlooking a small fishing pond. Small black bears sometimes wander past the cabin and eat persimmons off the surrounding trees.

The flat ridgetop meadows are dotted with small fishing ponds and surrounded by heavy woods. This upland forest is primarily comprised of hickory and oak but is surprisingly open with little undergrowth due to the shading from the expansive overhead canopy. The slopes transition to vertical cliffs in some areas and have small overhangs. Rock walls of unknown age were constructed between boulders to create small pens and shelters. The southern side of the property has awesome views of the Robert S. Kerr Resevoir, Jones Lake, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge and Arkansas River. A solid, level slab of rock overlooking these features would be the ultimate place to build the structure of your choosing.

With the wildlife refuge just a few hundred yards from the property and open to hunting, an influx of wildlife retreats to the relative safety of the ranch each year during hunting season. Flocks of ducks, huge whitetail bucks, and turkeys seek sanctuary on the property. Many stay year round.

The Magbees have accumulated over half the mineral rights that go with the surface and will convey them as part of the sale. There is no production on the ranch and no one knows what will be drilled in the future. However, having the majority of the mineral rights gives you a level of control that few landowners in Oklahoma will ever have.