5 minute read
Ancients Oaks Ranch
ON THE COVER
Ancient Oaks Ranch
2,395± Acres in Burnet County, Texas
Presented By Ranch Investments
Encompassing 2,395± acres in Burnet County, the Ancient Oaks Ranch is a rare opportunity to own a large tract in the heart of the Hill Country’s Highland Lakes, arguably Texas’ recreational paradise.
Located between the quaint towns of Burnet and Marble Falls, the ranch has a north entrance on FM 3509 and a south entrance on Park Road 4 making access easy. Ancient Oaks Ranch is just 55 miles from Austin and 90 miles from San Antonio.
The potential is only limited by the imagination. . .
The Land
For over 100 years, Ancient Oaks Ranch had been stewarded by the same family and this is the first time the rare jewel has been offered on the open market. The care provided by succeeding generations is evident in the landscape, which is dominated by live oaks, post oaks, elm trees, scattered mesquite and native brush species that form the foundation of prime wildlife habitat.
The cedar has been strategically cleared to make way for excellent native grass and forbs, well-suited for cattle and essential for wildlife. Native white-tailed deer, wild turkey and other game birds as well as feral hogs and a variety of varmints call the ranch home.
The topography is as varied as the vegetation and wildlife. It ranges from level to undulating with rising elevations offering a view of Lake Buchanan to the west and the beloved Hill Country to the south.
As an added bonus, 50 percent of the owned minerals will convey with the sale.
The Water
Water is the basis of life, and a professional hydrologic survey was performed that verified that the ranch sits atop the Trinity Aquifer with a significant water supply. According to the study, the property can support up to one water well for every 10 acres.
Currently, there are five wells and one windmill on the ranch as well as several stock ponds. In addition, four wet-weather creeks— Mud Creek, Peters Creek, Long Branch and Honey Creek—cross the ranch and offer some potential dam sites to create impoundments.
The Living
The five-bedroom/three-bath Headquarters House is built on the bones of the original frame ranch house dating back to 1906. It grew and evolved through the years and now includes a kitchen, dining room, living room with a fireplace and yellow pine walls and ceiling for a touch of warm rusticity as well as a screened front porch outfitted with ceiling fans. The master bedroom also features a fireplace.
The home was designed with style and practicality in mind. For instance, the flooring is a mix of oak and pine hardwood and tile as well as faux wood and concrete.
The comfortable home is well-maintained. In the recent past, it has been updated with HardiePlank ® exterior, a new roof, a kitchen and master bath remodel, and interior paint. The home also was refreshed with new window treatments and light fixtures.
To make the homestead even more inviting, a heated pool anchors the shaded backyard. The home and grounds are sustained by two storage tanks—one with a 10,000-gallon capacity and the other with a 40,000-gallon capacity. They are fed by a water well south of the house.
In addition to the main house, a onebedroom/one-bath guest house with a screened front porch offers a respite for family and friends. Two manufactured homes provide lodging for staff.
Other ranch improvements include a set of cattle pens and a barn.
The Neighborhood
Burnet County is home to five of the six Highland Lakes—Lake Buchanan, Inks Lake, Lake LBJ, Lake Marble Falls and Lake Travis— and year-round recreation.
Glorious wildflowers dot the landscape in the spring. Boating, waterskiing, paddling, swimming and any other conceivable water sport take up the days in the summer. Fall—and almost year-round—is for fishing. Winter bird watching for migratory species including bald eagles is plentiful for any birding enthusiast. Year-round spelunking at Longhorn Caverns and hiking, biking and outdoor adventuring are other popular pastimes.
The Lower Colorado River Authority created the chain of lakes by damming the Colorado River to control flooding, produce electricity and service the state’s water needs. Construction on the dams began in the 1930s and the last dams were completed in the early 1950s.
Each lake is as unique as the small towns, also ripe for exploration, that dot the region.
Lake Buchanan, the largest of the Highland Lakes, is known as a fisherman’s lake. Inks Lake, one of the smaller lakes, is the least developed and home to Inks Lake State Park and the Devil’s Waterhole, a popular swimming locale.
Lake LBJ, one of the most popular lakes, gives off party vibes and is great for boating.
Lake Marble Falls, the smallest lake, features shoreline access and daunting cliffs. Its size and scale make it ideal for personal watercraft. Extremely popular Lake Travis winds through the Hill Country connecting Marble Falls to
Austin. Lake Travis has something for everyone, outstanding places for fishing as well as perfect destinations for swimming and boating.
The small towns such as Bertram, Granite Shoals, Kingsland and Spicewood along with Burnet and Marble Falls offer fairs, festivals and charming shopping throughout the year. Must-see Hill Country towns including Fredericksburg and Luckenbach are just a short drive.
The Opportunity
Ranches of this size and scale are rare in the Texas Hill Country, but large Hill Country ranches in the heart of the Highland Lakes are almost non-existent. With access on two Farm to Market roads, the possibilities for Ancient Oaks Ranch are as limitless as the sky. Stake a claim now before this one-of-one property is gone.
2,395± Acres
BURNET COUNTY, TEXAS
Property ID: 19110346
$37,721,250
John Ed Stepan , Principal
800-447-8604
