You will be captivated upon first seeing and experiencing these picturesque ranches located in the heart of the Hill Country. Come see why these ranches are so enchanting! For the first time, the remaining acreage of a 10,000 acre ranch is being offered. This pristine property has been owned by a family since the 1930’s.

Development plans call for a limited number of estate sized ranches consisting now of 390 and 575 acres. Three ranches have already been purchased, a 430 (Ranch #2), a 763 (Ranch #3), and 245 (Ranch #4) acres each. Located on the 575 acre ranch (Ranch #1) are many “One of a Kind” improvements. To more fully appreciate this ranch, you can view the buildings (interior/exterior) and their dimensions along with historical pictures when the building were being constructed (circa late 30’s/early 40’s) ( See below for more detail). This ranch is known as the “Compound Ranch” as these improvements served the original 10,000 acre Nelson family ranch. The “Compound Ranch” consists of 10+ residential structures including kitchen, living, and work rooms plus a livery stable and livestock sheds. The 85 g.p.m. well fills two 25′ tall masonry rock cisterns. There are “dry stack” walls interwoven throughout these improvements. What completes the Compound Ranch is the original W.R. Dallas furniture that was custom made for Mr. Arthur L. Nelson, the M.I.T. Engineer who originally had the improvements built in the late 30s/early 40s. Additionally, there are many Nelson family antiques included with the improvements. A complete list of antiques/furnishing is available upon request as well as detailed digital pictures. There is also an approximately 4,000′ rough-cut air strip providing the basic framework for a landing strip. New roads have recently been built around the perimeter of the ranch along with newly constructed concrete crossings. There is an active spring on this ranch running water across a rock bottom creek bed. This ranch has 100% perimeter fencing (three sides were recently constructed).

Ranch #5 is a 390 acre ranch offering panoramic views, impressive tree coverage, wet weather creeks, and abundant game. The views from these mountains offer multi-county views up to 40-miles. It is 100% fenced with newly constructed ranch roads leading up to the top of the hills. There are two new entrances on CR410 both having custom made 16′ iron gates. The main entrance from CR410 is complimented with a recently built “dry stack” wall masterfully constructed by Mr. Alejos Zuniga. Another entrance also has a “dry stack” wall (by Mr. Zuniga) creating an ideal third entrance. Elevations of this ranch range from approximately 1,350 to 1,600 feet. This ranch can be “custom carved” into a limited number of smaller estate-sized Hill Country tracts starting at 40 acres. Prices of the newly created ranches depend upon size and land characteristics. All ranches have ample “paved” County Road frontage that are maintained by Blanco County.

The ranches are conveniently located approximately 5.5 miles east of Blanco via FM165 and about 45 minutes from both Austin and San Antonio, Texas via Hwy. 290 West or U.S. Hwy. 281 North (respectively). They are very commutable from either Austin or San Antonio. Come see these hidden treasures in the Hill Country which have been “preserved in time”. All sales transactions are via cash or third party financing with the exception of the smaller estate sized tracts.

#1 – COMPOUND Ranch
575 acres
$2,271,250 ($3,950/acre)

Ranch #1, also known as the “Compound Ranch”, is a 575 acre ranch containing a series of native limestone buildings that collectively create a self-sufficient environment hence the name “Compound”. The 10+ buildings consist of residential structures, kitchen and dining facilities, livery stable, butcher room, walk-in cooler, cannery building, office building, and two workshops. Additionally, there is an above ground pool and cabana. These improvements housed the original ranch operations of the 10,000 acre Nelson Ranch which began in the late 1930’s. There are “dry stack” walls interwoven throughout these improvements. What completes the Compound Ranch is a large collection of original W.R. Dallas furniture that was custom made for Mr. Arthur L. Nelson, the M.I.T. Engineer who originally had the improvements built in the late 30s/early 40s. Additionally, there are many Nelson family antiques included within the improvements. A complete list of antiques/furnishings is available upon request as well as detailed digital pictures.

All of the buildings within the Compound can be seen via a unique custom created “Compound Viewer” (see below for more details). By simply moving your cursor over a building, a line connects you to the name of the building. At that point, you have the option to learn more about a building including the description and dimensions. You may also view photographs, current as well as late 1930 to early 1940, of both the interior and exterior of the buildings.

There are three wells on these 575 acres. Two wells are within the Compound area and one is located by a white wood framed house located along CR410. Of the two wells located on the Compound area, one was drilled in May 1996 producing 85 g.p.m. This well fills two 25′ tall masonry rock cisterns. The g.p.m. of the other well in the Compound and the well by the white house is unknown. There are three tanks located on the ranch one of which was recently re-built and lined/plated with clay. This tank is located at the southern end of the ranch along CR410.

The ranch topography is mostly level though it does have slightly rolling terrain. There are a number of pastures scattered throughout this ranch with a majority of them being terraced. The pastures that once produced crops for the Nelson family are currently covered in native grasses. Tree coverage on the ranch provides a perfect habitat and cover for a growing population of whitetail deer, turkeys, dove, and quail. The trees consist of a variety of live oak, red/Spanish oak, elm, sycamore, black walnut, and mature juniper. As a whole, this ranch is about 60% treed and about 40% cleared area providing open or pasture land. There has been selective removal of cedar trees around the improvements and along the roads including the creation of several park like areas. There are a series of springs in the newly created and thoughtfully cleared area named “Nine Oaks Parks”. These springs flow over a rock bottom creek and have been flowing even during dry periods.

New ranch roads have recently been built around the perimeter of the ranch along with two newly constructed concrete crossings. These ranch roads are 12′ wide having a minimum of 6″ of rolled, compacted caliche. The roads are crowned and have bar ditches providing excellent drainage via culvert pipes. There are a total of four entrances from CR410, two of which are new. These two new entrances have set-backs of 70′ and are constructed of sturdy metal posts. This ranch has 100% perimeter fencing with three sides having been recently built (north, west, and south). There are numerous cross-fences scattered throughout the ranch.

The Compound Ranch hosts an approximate 4,000′ rough-cut airstrip providing the basic framework for a landing strip. The entire length of the air-strip was recently cleared of vegetation. The orientation of the airstrip is in the preferred direction of southeast to northwest and is approximately 100′ to 150′ in width. The east end of the air-strip ends at the edge of the Compound buildings.

#2 – WEST HILLS
530 acres
$1,563,500 ($2,950/acre)

Tract #2, also known as West Hill, contains the most magnificent series of hills in Blanco County and the Hill Country area. The sales literature touches briefly the highlights of these hills but one can only fully appreciate them by walking them. There are approximately eight (8) hilltops with elevations up to 1,651 feet. Views from these hills are spectacular with views up to 50 miles. The tops are all level and heavily treed primarily with oaks and some cedar. As a whole, this ranch is about 90% treed and about 10% cleared. There has been no systematic removal of cedars except for clearing for interior roads. Currently, there is on-going clearing of cedar trees along CR 410 approximately 50 to 100 feet back from the road. Perimeter fencing is located on the south and west sides. There is one good sized tank located at the southeast corner near CR410. This ranch has no live water, but much like Tract #1, there are excellent areas for constructing tanks and/or small lakes given the draws and ravines. There is an old well with a rock cistern on this ranch. The quality and g.p.m. is unknown.

#3 – NORTH HILLS
555 acres
$1,526,250 ($2,750/acre)

Tract #3 is very similar to Tract #2 except for acreage and number of mountains. Tract #3 offers dynamic terrain with both mountains and deep ravines. Views from the mountaintops are unprecedented and almost unimaginable offering views up to 50 miles. This tract offers the most diversity in terms of the species of trees. It offers live oak, red oak, and spanish oak, sycamore, elm, cedar, and the most impressive amount of madrone trees. As a whole, this ranch is about 90% treed and about 10% cleared. There has been no systematic removal of cedars except for clearing for interior roads. The results of a recently drilled well near the northwest area of the ranch are not known but are expected to produce about 20 g.p.m. at a depth of 400 feet. The well will be cased with PVC and capped, ready for a new owner. There is fencing along the west and north boundary lines with various cross fencing scattered. There is no live water on this ranch, but again, like Tracts #1 and #2, opportunity for dams and/or tanks in the ravines are plentiful.

#4 – QUARRY
250 acres
$537,500 ($2,150/acre)

Tract #4 contains some impressive mountains along the western portion of the ranch with great tree coverage. There is a ravine and/or valley starting in the middle of this ranch exiting at itsí northeast corner. From the ridge tops, the view of this valley is dynamic. The valley also offers an excellent opportunity for creating tanks and/or small lakes. Perimeter fencing is all along the east perimeter with some interior cross fencing. As a whole, this ranch is about 80% treed and about 20% cleared. There has been no systematic removal of cedars except for clearing for interior roads and the quarry area. This tract contains a non-operational quarry impacting about 50 to 75 acres of the ranch. Although the quarry is no longer in operation, there is an unlimited supply of building stones for housing or landscaping. For the most part, the quarry operations were limited to surface quarrying and can be recovered in order to restore the terrain to its Hill Country roots. This ranch has been appropriately priced to reflect the impact of the quarry activity. There is no live water on this ranch.

#5 – EAST HILLS
390 acres
$1,267,500 ($3,250/acre)

Ranch #5 is a mirror to Ranch #2 given its’ multiple mountains and treed, flat peaks. There are five mountain tops on this ranch all offering panoramic multi-county views extending up to 40 miles. For one to truly experience this ranch, walking along the hill tops is a must.

Direct access to the tops of the two main hills has been achieved by building two new ranch roads which are 12′ wide with a minimum of 6″ of rolled, compacted caliche. These roads are crowned and have bar ditches providing excellent drainage via culvert pipes. There is on-going construction of new ranch roads extending these two roads over the tops of the hills toward the east. Selectively cleared viewing areas on the tops of these hills allow beautiful views of both the terrain below and scenic views of the surrounding area. In addition, several newly bladed roads (non-caliche) have been cut allowing further access around this ranch.

This ranch, for the most part, has 100% tree coverage primarily consisting of mature oaks, Spanish/red oaks, black walnut, and mature juniper. Recently, there has been intensive cedar tree clearing in selected areas in order to open up dense tree coverage. These selective clearing areas have been done in order to give an idea of the terrain/topography and to open up stands of live oaks and Spanish/red oaks. Additionally, several wet weather creeks located throughout this ranch have been cleared.

There is no live water nor water wells on this ranch. However, with the numerous ravines, draws, and wet weather creeks, ample opportunity exists for construction of dams and/or tanks. The main draw located on the east side of the hills toward the northeast corner of this ranch provides dramatic views and unbelievable privacy. Located in this draw are several strong seeps and with selective clearing of cedar trees the life of the seeps could be extended.

Ranch #5 is 100% perimeter fenced with new low-fencing constructed along the frontage of CR410 and on the north boundary line. Two new entrances on CR410 with 70′ setbacks from the road have been created. A local metal craft artist was hired to create two custom crafted 16′ iron gates. The main entrance to this ranch is complimented with a recently built dry stack wall masterfully constructed by Mr. Alejos Zuniga. Another entrance has a dry stack wall, also by Mr. Zuniga, creating an ideal third entrance. Elevations of this ranch range from approximately 1,350 to 1,600 feet. This ranch can be “custom carved” into a limited number of smaller estate-sized Hill Country tracts starting at 40 acres. Prices of the newly created ranches depend upon size and land characteristics.

Deed Restrictions

Some Deed restrictions are contemplated on all parcels, but have not yet been established in order to accomodate the needs of ranch buyers. Restrictions may cover the following topics:

1. Limited or no subdividing.
2. No mobile or manufactured housing.
3. No commercial use (except for some agricultural uses common to the area).
4. Limited number of residences.