The farm was purchased by Mike Roth, a German immigrant, in the late 1800s; the family home still stands today that he built around 1895. Mike came to America first, Bobbie, his fiance, came a couple of years later. The couple was married in America. When part of the attic space was being converted to a loft by the present owners, they found the names "Mike" and "Bobbie" on a chalkboard there. The Roths grew cotton, corn & hay and raised chickens, dairy cows, a large fruit orchard & eight children. The Roths were a major part of the Bowie-Fruitland-Byrd Hollow community and contributed to the settlement and development of this area of Montague County in the 20th century.

The Browder family had the opportunity to purchase the farm in 1965. Dr. Browder planted the pecan orchard that is still on the land today, and farmed hay. Dr. Browder and his wife gifted the farm to their daughter, who raised her family here as well. Her and husband, the Clarks, are the current caretakers of the property and, after recently moving to another town, decided to offer it on the market for the first time in 58 years.

THE LAND:

The main orchard is near the house and barns and consists of 156 trees. While the trees are not irrigated, they are in healthy shape, having been pruned over the years. The Clarks used to zinc and fertilize them for production. The orchard has different varieties, including Wichita and Choctaw. On the west side of the property are two more rows of trees, 24 & 23, bringing the total number of pecans to 203. Other fruit trees used to be here too, but all that is left of them is four pears.

The bulk of the remaining land is in hay pasture with coastal. Since it is not under a current ag lease, it has not been sprayed or fertilized this season. The whole property is fenced and would make a nice place for cattle or horses as well. A 3/4 acre pasture is fenced on the north side with net fencing for goats; a loafing shed is in the pen, in addition to several shade trees.

The soils are sandy loam and would be ideal for a vineyard; just down the road is Brushy Creek Vineyards, O G Cellars and Marker Cellars Family Winery. The entrance cuts through a 7.5 acre post oak grove with some trees 40'+ tall; 5.5 acres of these trees are fenced into a separate pasture. A oak grove on a hill near the house would be ideal for an outdoor wedding ceremony. The land is very scenic, in an area of low traffic; the paved county road ends at the property's SW corner.

IMPROVEMENTS:

The old farm house has been maintained by the Browder family, with updated flooring and windows, a metal roof and siding. The kitchen was remodeled with new cabinets and a granite countertop. All appliances will convey, including the refrigerator, dishwasher, oven and built-in microwave. The house has two bedrooms, one bathroom, a loft off the living room, sunroom and utility room with WD connections, the tax appraisal district says it has 992 sq ft. It sits on a broad hill with views that go across the whole property and on for miles. The water well for the house had freeze damage last winter and is not currently operable, but shouldn't take much to fix.

Next to the house is a small barn that would make a nice shop; a finished office is attached to the barn. An open shed is also available to park equipment. The purchase will come with an older Massey-Ferguson tractor and a JD zero turn lawn mower.

LIST PRICE:

$1,367,500 for the whole 78.5 acres. The land can also be bought as such:

The east 33.5 +/- acres including the house, barns and main pecan orchard: $20,000/acre

The west 15 +/- acres, including pasture land, private gated entrance and 24 pecan trees: $15,500/acre

CONTACT:

For more information or to see the Browder farm in person, contact agent Beau Byars at cell phone (940) 224-3183.