This ranch, originally over 1,100 acres, has been the Estate of Dollie Ann Cole since it was built in 1983. Mrs. Cole was an outstanding, stylish Texas woman, who was the widow of the late Edward N. Cole, the highly respected engineer and former President of General Motors. Mr. Cole passed away in 1977 while flying his own plane to work. Mrs. Cole passed away in 2014. After Mr. Coles death, Mrs. Cole began what became the ranch.

The ranch called "The Briarpatch," has been the scene of many lavish, colorful parties and charitable events, attended by many sports legends and Hollywood's elite, including A.J. Foyt, Johnny Rutherford, Jim Nabors, Andy Griffith, Debbie Reynolds, Florence Henderson, Ruta Lee, Ruth Buzzi, and Phyllis Diller. Scenes for many movies, television shows, and commercials have been filmed at the ranch including Dusk to Dawn, Leftovers, Revolution, Green Ghost, Machete, Bed of Lies, Where the Heart Is, Take Away My Take Away, Corrupt.Gov, and Fast Food Nation.

Mrs. Cole's parties at The Briarpatch were also of legend. Guests were often greeted by costumed riders on horseback lining the long drive, all carrying flags. She had skydivers (including one of her sons, Jeff) land in the backyard during the parties. She owned several fire engines, Checker cabs, an ambulance, police cars, large trucks, and heavy equipment, some of which are still there today, used for movie props. Guests arrived in their own planes and helicopters at nearby private runways.

The home was used for many charitable and civic related gatherings, including for Project HOPE, The 100 Club of Central Texas, and The Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian. It was also the site of car related events for Corvette and Corvair enthusiasts, automobiles near and dear to the Cole family.

Some History of the House:

Much of the antique wood in the house is from the Lockhart Cotton Compress, circa 1860. Many of the25 plus doors are 4'x9' tall and were carved freehand by craftsmen from Mexico. Some of the antique tiles were gathered from salvaged old structures in Mexico. The staircase in the kitchen was rescued from a merchant store being torn down in Cuero, Texas.

Since Mrs. Cole passed away a year and a half ago, most of her varied collections were sold at the ranch at one of the largest estate sales in Central Texas stretching over 3 months and taking almost a year to organize.