History... John William Day came to Texas from his home in Roanoke, Virginia in 1875. Upon his arrival by train in Waco, he hiked 30 miles to see his old friend from Virginia, Noah Neff. Noah Neff was the husband of Mother Neff (Mother Neff State Park) and the father of Pat Neff, who became the Governor of Texas. Noah Neff had purchased land in the fertile black land prairie of eastern Coryell County known as the Stampede Valley. John Day married Elmira Susan Grimes - the daughter of Coryell County pioneer, Frederick Miller Grimes, who fought in the battle of San Jacinto. In 1881, John Day and his wife, Elmira Susan Grimes Day, were able to purchase land across the road from Noah Neff. Since 1881, the land has been operated as a working farm and ranch by John William Day, Elmira Susan Grimes Day and their descendants.

Location... The property is approximately halfway between Waco and Temple/Belton. The nearest communities are Moody and McGregor, both in McLennan County. There is significant rural residential development in the vicinity, and Mother Neff State Park is only a few miles from the property.

Property Description... The property lies in eastern Coryell County (County Seat Gatesville). The headquarters tract consists of 381.992 acres at the intersection of FM 2671 (Mother Neff Parkway) and FM 107 (Eddy-Gatesville Parkway). The tract is on the north side of FM 107.

The property has a two-story farmhouse which is over 100 years old. It was built in 1914 and replaced the original home on the property. The farmhouse serves as the ranch headquarters. The land is bisected from north to south by Horse Creek a spring-fed year-round creek. The property is fenced with some cross fencing, all being in good condition. The ranch is currently used as a cattle and row crop operation and is currently in ag valuation for real estate taxes. There are three stock ponds on the property that provide fishing opportunities and water for livestock and wildlife.

Utilities... Electrical service is present on the property. Water is provided through a local water utility, Elm Creek Water Supply. There are currently two water meters present.

The Northeast corner of the property is traversed diagonally by an oil and gas pipeline corridor. There are currently 4 petroleum pipelines present in the easement. The pipelines are underground and have posed no nuisance to the ranch operation.