Gonzales Ranch Experience
Where the oaks of Central Texas meet the Mesquite of South Texas, this 2,500 acre (1,000 hectare) ranch is one of the most
beautiful and historic "smaller" working cattle ranches in Texas. Located in Gonzales County, where the first shot of the
Texas Revolution was fired with the famous "Come and Take It" cannon, it has been in Lieutenant Colonel Clay Allen's family
for six generations since 1854. 144 years of continuous ownership by the same family makes it one of the oldest original
ranches in this part of Texas. The original log cabin and log barn, built around 1873, can be seen less than one mile from the
main guest house. The infamous Texas outlaw of the late 1800's, John Wesley Hardin, had a home on this ranch and the
foundation blocks can still be seen across the creek on one of the horse trails. One of the most practical, or you might say
'inventive,' killers in Texas, Lonnie Burnett, lived in an underground home nearby. He loved to have company and hung a sign,
"Welcome Stranger" on the door to welcome guests. The 10 gauge shotgun tied to the door was to insure a long stay. The
wagon tracks of the legendary Camino Real (Kings Highway), between San Antonio de Bexar and Galveston, can still be
seen running through this ranch.
Supposedly, Generalissimo Santa Anna's wagon train, loaded with gold to pay his troops, was buried on this ranch when
the Mexican Paymaster learned of the General's defeat at San Jacinto. Five miles from the ranch is "Salt Flat," where untold
generations of Indians found salt on the surface of the ground and collected it under a mutual peace treaty older than the
pyramids. The ranch is featured in the Southwestern Gem Hunters Guide, as it has an ancient rock fault running through the
Southern part, which is rich in petrified wood and palm tree, agate, jasper, quartz, and other minerals ideal for jewelry or
collecting. Two creeks run through the ranch, lined with oaks, elm, and pecans, begging for exploration by foot or horse.
They are full of large catfish, waiting to be caught. Wild hogs, whitetail deer, and wild turkey gather at the feeding station
less than 100 meters from the main guest house. Other wildlife, such as armadillos, squirrels, and even a gray fox roam the
ranch, or rather, the yard of the guest house. Almost every night, a large pack of coyotes, roaming the surrounding woods,
serenade the guests. One of the oldest live oak trees in this part of Texas, the Indian's Salt Flat Truce Tree, is located on the
ranch. Over 600 years old, this tree was better than 143 years old when Coronado explored parts of Texas for the fabled 7
cities of gold. On a quiet day, you can almost hear the stories it could tell, in the rustling leaves.
Working Ranch Guest Activities - Unstructured. Rest, relax, or join in as you wish. This is a working ranch with normal ranch
activities. They change daily and can include cattle work such as sorting, gathering, scattering, roundup, roping, branding,
riding fence, and going to cattle auctions to help us buy and sell cattle. Tell them what you would like to try and they will
attempt to accommodate. All riding is geared to ability levels and previous riding experience is recommended, but not
required. There are a limited number of horses suitable to beginner and novice riders. You may, depending on your ability
and desire, participate in all ranch activities that are available. You can take relaxing nature walks, or enjoy the sun around
the pool. Wildlife and nature photography. Sandies and Elm Creek, 2 natural lakes, and 8 stocked lakes offer fishing for
catfish and bass!
The on and off ranch activities listed below can be scheduled upon request, time and work load permitting. The ranch will
always try to accommodate guest requests. Some of the off ranch activities may cost extra. Plan on staying at least 7 nights
for maximum enjoyment:
- Roping Lessons
- Horse management instruction
- Unlimited riding (NOT nose to tail)
- Professional Western Riding Instruction
- Team Penning lessons
- Cattle work in the pens
- Playday Instruction - barrel racing, pylons, etc
- Shooting instruction - rifle and pistol
- Farrier demonstration
- Pasture management instruction
- Historical tours
- Visit to Cattle Auction
- Visit to Saddle Factory
- Visit to local rodeo (barrel racing and calf roping)
- One or more meals at Cowboy restaurants in the area (where our friends eat)
And these after-work activities are open to everyone staying at the ranch....
- Pool for swimming
- Fishing
- Horseshoes
- Pool table
- TV room with video library (Star Wars to John Wayne)
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