LOCATION: This interestingly varied property is bisected by caliche CR 330, about 4 miles NW of Lometa (gas, restaurants, convenience store, school), in far southern Mills County, about 2 miles off of pavement. This is 13 miles from Goldthwaite (supplies, services, grocery store), 22 miles from Lampasas (hospital, paved airstrip, big box stores, etc.) and about 90 miles from Austin (State Capitol, major medical & universities, international airport, world class dining/shopping/entertainment).
The area is primarily comprised of medium to large working/recreational ranches, with scattered small to medium sized tract acreage subdivisions, and a commercial wind farm adjoins the site to the north. We see cattle, horse and sheep ranching, outdoor recreation and scattered farming operations as the prevalent area economic activities, and there are even some NW Austin commuters making their h...
The area is primarily comprised of medium to large working/recreational ranches, with scattered small to medium sized tract acreage subdivisions, and a commercial wind farm adjoins the site to the north. We see cattle, horse and sheep ranching, outdoor recreation and scattered farming operations as the prevalent area economic activities, and there are even some NW Austin commuters making their homes in this decidedly rural zone. For more information on Mills County, go to their county website.
ECOREGION: Early travelers through north Texas coined the name "Cross Timbers" by their repeated crossings of these timbered areas that proved to be a barrier to their travel on the open prairies to the east and west. This area in north and central Texas includes areas with high density of trees and irregular plains and prairies. Soils are primarily sandy to loamy. Rainfall can be moderate, but somewhat erratic, therefore moisture is often limiting during part of the growing season. Also known as the Osage Plains, it is the southernmost of three tallgrass prairies. It varies from savannah and woodland to the east and south, into shorter mixed-grass prairie to the west. As in the rest of the Great Plains, fire, topography, and drought maintained prairie and established the location of woodlands. For more information, visit the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) website.
WATER: The headwaters of a major area watershed, Simms Creek, are located on this ranch, with about 2,000 of live, flowing clear water passing through a scenic, hardwood bottom of oak/pecan/elm, culminating in a sizable lake site near the waterways exit from the ranch. This creek is said to hold water in places all of the time, per historical data, and has flowed all the way through the ranch as of June 2, 2018, since this observer has known the site (fall, 2017).
There are two known water wells on site, one in service with submersible pump, and there are 3 stock tanks that hold water. For more information on area groundwater, contact the North Texas Groundwater Conservation District at at their website.
LAND: The ranch is split into two distinctive parcels by CR 330, with the north parcel being a combo of field and high country, and the southern parcel being a combo of high country, deep canyons and Simms Creek bottom. There is an overall fall over slightly over 200 from high point to low, and the northern portion has a couple of tillable fields that have been used for hay crops in the past.
The northern portion of the ranch is bordered by a wind farm, with several towers nearby, however SCR is tilted to the SE, and the view of those towers can be virtually eliminated by proper positioning of dwellings. A long ridge forms the northern border, and there is one seasonal creek in this area of thick cedar and scattered oaks. Views to the SE are spectacular, and clean fields lie below, punctuated by an interesting grove of giant cane, no doubt signifying a significant water eruption point.
Native pastureland, grasses and shrubs with scattered to thick cedar, and assorted other hardwoods, is the dominant land type. There are at least 3 scenic canyons consisting of limestone cliffs, myriads of fossils and huge blocks littering bottoms of oak/elm in fantastic shadowy landscapes that are highly exotic. This varied, scenic land is refuge to numerous wildlife species, including whitetail & exotic deer, turkey, varmints, hogs, dove and some quail.
IMPROVEMENTS: An 1,100 sf, 2/1 restored farm house serves as a hunting cabin, and is served by a nearby water well with submersible pump. There are several rustic sheds and barns in 2 different areas, and an old set of working pens has little value. The ranch has fencing and crossfencing into several pastures, and interior roads are adequate for livestock and hunting access.
SUMMARY: Simms Creek Ranch offers the full suite of rural investment value factors: good recreation, water development potential, solid area ranching unit, future subdivision potential, 1.5 hours from Austin. This ranch should be suitable for short or long term hold, and the general area is regarded as extremely high value at current pricing levels. If the above speaks to you or your client, we welcome your inquiries, and invite you for a site tour.
FINANCIAL/TITLE: Listing price is $2,500/acre, cash to Seller, who will provide basic title insurance and survey. Mineral conveyance is negotiable. A wind farm borders the NW portion of the property, and there are no easements other than utility service. The ranch is located in the Lometa ISD, and estimated ag-exempt taxes are $2,400/year.
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. Viewing appointments scheduled with LANDTX staff only. SHOWN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY 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 David E. Culver, Broker, LANDTX.