SEALED BID OPPORTUNITY. SEE FINANCIAL/TITLE SECTION.
LOCATION: This premier ranch is located at the end of Deer Creek Cemetery Road, 7 miles north of SH 71, in a remote and rugged section of the Texas Hill Country in SE McCulloch/SW San Saba Counties along the San Saba River. This is about 25 miles N of prized Mason (restaurants, shops, supplies, services, lodging) and about 25 miles SE of Brady (same plus airport with 4,600 paved strip, hospital). For more information on Mason, McCulloch and San Saba Counties, or for more information on the cities of Brady, Mason, and San Saba please visit the official websites.
Austin (major healthcare, universities, international airport, financial center, State Capitol) is about 100 miles SE, and San Antonio (nations 7th largest city) is about 120 miles S. Llano, known for outstanding meat and BBQ, is about 25 miles SE and has a 4,200 paved ai...
Austin (major healthcare, universities, international airport, financial center, State Capitol) is about 100 miles SE, and San Antonio (nations 7th largest city) is about 120 miles S. Llano, known for outstanding meat and BBQ, is about 25 miles SE and has a 4,200 paved airstrip. Horseshoe Bay, a major international resort, is located an additional 20 miles SE and includes PGA golf courses, world class lodging and food, as well as a 6,000 lighted airstrip and a large Scott & White hospital nearby.
The area is known as strong ranching and hunting country with unusual groundwater resources. Neighbors are mostly equal size or larger, and production of beef, mutton and recreational hunting are the area economic drivers.
WATER: The fabulous San Saba River forms the northern boundary and bisects part of the ranch for 6.5 miles, with about 1.5 miles of that being ownership of both sides of the fabled river. This stretch of river is absolutely one of the most dramatic and scenic in all of Texas, with multi-colored cliffs up to 125 looming in many sections. These limestone bluffs are pocked with literally hundreds of caves, some with walk-in rooms, and offer vista points that are simply exquisite.
A rare concrete low water crossing is a river highlight, in the western section where river ownership comprises both sides. The majority of the river consists of shallow holes, excellent for fly fishing! The river is naturally stocked with catfish, bass and perch, and the cliffs are sometimes inhabited by rare Bald Eagles during winter months. Other potential water recreation activities include floating, swimming, kayaking and rock skipping with great stock of flat rocks!
This area and site are also known for unusual and abundant groundwater resources, including a 735 gpm irrigation well said to pump from San Saba/Ellenberger sands, at a depth of 460. There are also two known springs, and one artesian well that flows without pumping, as well as about 10 various other wells according to State data. For more information regarding groundwater in this area, please contact the Hickory UWCD (Underground Water Conservation District) No. 1.
LAND: Overall, this is a mostly rugged, scenic, liveoak/mesquite country kind of a ranch, with elevations ranging from 1,709 down to 1,379, with several drainages bisecting the site. Spring fed Deer Creek passes through the west central portion, but only holds water in wet years. This drainage is quite scenic, with large trees backed by limestone cliffs, loaded with wildlife. . . a veritable hunting paradise. Many awesome vista points are found throughout the ranch, and river views from some of the bluffs are nothing less than jaw-dropping.
There is quite a variety of soils and vegetation, including areas of tillable ground in the NW corner of the ranch known as the farm. The river bottom includes large pecan trees, liveoaks, elm and other hardwoods. Uplands feature a mix of liveoak and mesquite, with woody shrubs including agarita, persimmon and bee brush. A strong cover and variety of native grasses and turfs provide excellent grazing in optimum conditions, and the ranch is literally covered up with abundant wildlife, including whitetail deer, turkey, feral hogs & goats, varmints and songbirds.
The ranch is fenced and cross fenced into about 23 pastures, including 5 tillable fields which are served by the irrigation well, and has operated historically as a cattle ranch and lease hunting outfit. The land is capable of supporting about 1AU/30 acres, and once played host to a group of about 40 hunters, though hunting has ceased in recent years. However cattle grazing continues with 2 tenants at this time.
IMPROVEMENTS: The ranch possesses improvements that are adequate, but not gaudy, and most are in fair to good condition. The HQs consists of a compound including 3 houses, one large barn and several smaller sheds/barns, plus a good set of cattle working and loading pens. The area is well maintained and has a nice clean, orderly appearance. There are several other houses, and two other smaller HQs with pens and structures as well, but not in as good condition as the primary.
Ranch fences, roads and infrastructure are considered above average quality for this area, and there is about 4 miles of high fencing along the eastern and SE boundary. The water system is solid, with good well and trough distribution, and excellent quality concrete pilas to get the water to the animals where they need it.
SUMMARY: If one seeks a truly extraordinary, legacy-type ranch in this location, then River Crossing Ranch is a must-see. Offering unequalled water resources, thousands of acres of rugged hunting and recreational land, and miles of a legendary, scenic river, RCR stands alone as the premier offering in this part of the Texas Hill Country, at this time.
FINANCIAL/TITLE: The ranch is offered to prospects as a sealed bid opportunity, with final bid submission deadline at 5:00 p.m. on May 29, 2015. 25% of minerals, 100% of wind rights and 100% of water leasing rights will convey. Seller reserves 50% of commercial water royalty only if exported from site.
This ag-exempt property is located in Brady, Mason and Richland Springs Independent School Districts, 2014 ag-exempt taxes were approximately $9,792. A new survey has been completed, and title work and Phase 1 Site Assessment are available for review as part of the Offering Package.
The information contained herein has been diligently assembled and is deemed reliable, but is not warranted by Broker or Seller, express or implied, and is subject to change, prior sale, errors and/or omissions and withdrawal from market. Buyers must verify accuracy of representations on their own, as well as investigate potentially pertinent natural attributes, laws and regulations, and draw their own conclusions regarding the usefulness and value of the property for a given purpose. Site tours are easily available up to sealed bid date; simply contact the LANDTX office to secure an appointment. SHOWN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY WITH DAVID CULVER DO NOT TRESPASS.
Buyers brokers must be identified on first contact, and must accompany buying prospect on first showing to be allowed full fee participation. If this condition is not met, fee participation will be at sole discretion of LANDTX, David E. Culver, broker.-99.0621