From Ruple Ranch and Land:
Rancho Blanco, a historic property with a rich legacy, is making its debut on the market for the first time in 95 years. This roughly 2,868 acre ranch has been lovingly maintained by the same family for three generations. The ranch features a historic home, Casa Piedra, a roughly 7,000 SF masterpiece constructed in 1900 by the California architect, Caldwell. It showcases classic American Queen Anne features, including a wraparound porch, decorative shingles, and a spacious upstairs gallery.
An extensive two-year restoration (2020-2022) led by acclaimed Dallas architect Stephen B. Chambers, and executed by master craftsman, Troy Poole of Restoration Works of Dallas, restored Casa Piedra to its former glory. The sprawling home is unique to Sutton County one of a very few, (or perhaps, the only) fully-restored grand homes dating to the turn of the last century.
The ranch is steeped in Texas history. In 1885, at the age of fifteen, John A. Ward (Johnnie) and his older brother, set out on horseback from their home in Gonzales County, intending to ride all the way to California. The two met the Estado Land & Cattle Co. cattle drive to the G-4 ranch, in the area now known as Big Bend National Park. The ranch manager, the legendary James B. Gillett, Captain in The Texas Ranger and former deputy marshal of El Paso, hired them on as cowboys. Johnnie's legacy includes two prominent Big Bend landmarks Ward Mountain, where he once lassoed a bear, and Ward Spring, which he discovered during the terrible drought of 1886, saving the lives of the G-4 cowboys and their cattle. Johnnie returned from Big Bend and married his sweetheart, Virginia. The two settled on a ranch near Sonora around 1903 and acquired their first herd of Angora goats. They raised eight children, including John Jr., who joined his father in the goat business, father and son eventually becoming one of the most prominent goat breeding businesses in The United States. Flocks of Angoras dotting the rolling limestone hills looked like a swale of white, earning the ranch its name Rancho Blanco.
2868 Acres offered at $6,355,000
Garrett Ruple
Broker/Owner, REALTOR
(830) 569-3500
garrett@rupleproperties.com
Jason Ruple
Director of Operations/ REALTOR
(210) 441-9750
jason@rupleproperties.com
Rancho Blanco, a historic property with a rich legacy, is making its debut on the market for the first time in 95 years. This roughly 2,868 acre ranch has been lovingly maintained by the same family for three generations. The ranch features a historic home, Casa Piedra, a roughly 7,000 SF masterpiece constructed in 1900 by the California architect, Caldwell. It showcases classic American Queen Anne features, including a wraparound porch, decorative shingles, and a spacious upstairs gallery.
An extensive two-year restoration (2020-2022) led by acclaimed Dallas architect Stephen B. Chambers, and executed by master craftsman, Troy Poole of Restoration Works of Dallas, restored Casa Piedra to its former glory. The sprawling home is unique to Sutton County one of a very few, (or perhaps, the only) fully-restored grand homes dating to the turn of the last century.
The ranch is steeped in Texas history. In 1885, at the age of fifteen, John A. Ward (Johnnie) and his older brother, set out on horseback from their home in Gonzales County, intending to ride all the way to California. The two met the Estado Land & Cattle Co. cattle drive to the G-4 ranch, in the area now known as Big Bend National Park. The ranch manager, the legendary James B. Gillett, Captain in The Texas Ranger and former deputy marshal of El Paso, hired them on as cowboys. Johnnie's legacy includes two prominent Big Bend landmarks Ward Mountain, where he once lassoed a bear, and Ward Spring, which he discovered during the terrible drought of 1886, saving the lives of the G-4 cowboys and their cattle. Johnnie returned from Big Bend and married his sweetheart, Virginia. The two settled on a ranch near Sonora around 1903 and acquired their first herd of Angora goats. They raised eight children, including John Jr., who joined his father in the goat business, father and son eventually becoming one of the most prominent goat breeding businesses in The United States. Flocks of Angoras dotting the rolling limestone hills looked like a swale of white, earning the ranch its name Rancho Blanco.
2868 Acres offered at $6,355,000
Garrett Ruple
Broker/Owner, REALTOR
(830) 569-3500
garrett@rupleproperties.com
Jason Ruple
Director of Operations/ REALTOR
(210) 441-9750
jason@rupleproperties.com
