Famed ranch developer George McAlister made this property his personal showpiece in the late 1970s, and painstaking attention to detail in planning and execution was his hallmark. The landscaping, creekside berming and lake construction serves as evidence of first rate techniques of land enhancement that still show through today on this exquisite property.
The centerpiece is about 1.5 miles of both sides of spring-fed Onion Creek, with concrete and earthen dams stair-stepped along its length. This is the upper reach of this major watershed, and strong springs create ongoing flow on June 1, 2006, even after a severe 18 month drought. The creek varies from rock-bottom with small waterfalls tumbling into clear pools, to gravelly shoals and sheet flow flats, all protected under a relaxing, shady hardwood canopy of oak, elm and walnut trees.
A series of eight dams back up shimmering lake...
A series of eight dams back up shimmering lakes of deep water, perfect for fishing, swimming, floating and kayaking. There are table-size limestone outcrops jutting into the water in some areas, with smooth, grassy berms rising gently to the sides in others. The improvements are strategically perched alongside or near the waterway, though not clustered, allowing for privacy if so desired.
The main lodge is about 3,500 square feet, with 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, two living areas, country kitchen, two fireplaces built around a central stone patio which opens to a fabulous swimming pool. The look and feel is rustic Hill Country, and the location perched above a cliff overlooking Onion Creek, park-like bottomland and rugged hills rising in the background is simply stunning.
There are three other smaller lodges of two to three bedrooms, all constructed of stone and wood, all very comfortable for even the most discriminating guests. These dwellings are in good condition, with only minor renovations and repairs needed on most, if any. An apartment attached to a barn/workshop serves as foremans quarters, and the owners state that the ranch can sleep up to 40 if necessary. Virtually all furniture, art, utensils and other household items currently in the dwellings are included in the sale.
Other structures include an indoor lighted basketball court, various sheds and outbuildings, a cottage and gazebo. Tennis courts, skeet range, Frisbee golf course, riding arena, numerous stone picnic tables, barbecue pit and underground fuel and water storage are among other improvements designed to facilitate world-class entertainment and utility.
The entire ranch is game-proof fenced, and up to seven species of exotic animals call Cuatro home, including bison, axis, fallow, blackbuck and elk. Solar feeders are scattered throughout the ranch, and water is piped to numerous locations from three electric wells. Ranch roads are excellent, and all equipment necessary to operate the ranch is included in the sale.
The land itself has the kind of variety most can only dream about owning. A high ridge bisects the ranch, with spring canyons falling off to the east and west, some of which flow water virtually all of the time. Limestone bluffs tower over smooth, oak-studded creek bottoms, providing a contrast that is only found in this part of Texas. About 150 acres of clean fields lie along the highway, and another 40 or so acres of field and good soil lie on the east side of the ridge.
Top country is mostly cleared of cedar, with tall Spanish Oaks and liveoaks remaining. Hillsides have been left thick in cedar, providing welcome shelter and cover for wild game. Soils vary from loamy clay in the bottoms to clay with limestone outcrops on the hillsides, to thin silty clays on the mesa top. This variety supports excellent native grasses and forbs, while also allowing ample material for road construction and maintenance.
Search for detailed parcel information including; Elevation & Vegetation Maps, Ownership Information, Detailed Parcel Information, Crop History Map, Soil Survey Productivity Data, and more.
Research Parcel InformationThis premier property is located on FM 165, a paved, two lane highway which serves as a connector between far southwest Austin and far north San Antonio. The site itself is about 35 minutes from each city, in a sought-after rural area that is easily accessible to Fredericksburg, the Highland Lakes, Canyon Lake and Wimberley.
Dripping Springs, Johnson City and Blanco are each about 10 minutes away, with most amenities and supplies readily available. The area is composed of rural tracts of 25
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