Texas' Historic Skipper Ranch For Sale

ENCINO, Texas, Sept. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Nestled in the rugged terrain of South Texas, the legendary Skipper Ranch, with 800+ acres of prime habitat, water features and ranching infrastructure, is now on the market.  Republic Ranches has listed this stunning property, located 23 miles from Falfurrias and 50 miles north of McAllen.  For photos and complete listing information, visit: www.republicranches.com/landlisting/skipper-ranch/

The ranch dates back to the early 1930's and Barney Skipper, a Texas oilman known as "the Longview Oil Prophet" and one of the key players in the famous East Texas oil boom.  Created as a hunting retreat, working ranch and respite from hectic city life, the Skipper Ranch was built for his son, B.A. Skipper, Jr., who became one of the nation's best known judges and exhibitors of horses and owner of the famed Poco Lena. 

True to its historic roots, the Skipper Ranch features a wide variety of wildlife including white-tailed deer, exotics, dove, javelina, turkey, quail and other migratory birds.  A ½-acre pond and a 6-acre fishing lake with covered palapas are stocked with bass, catfish, tilapia and perch.  The lake has 2 docks and a swim platform for family outdoor fun.  The ranch participates in Texas Parks & Wildlife's MLDP program (Level 3).

The crown jewel of the property, however, is the 3,000 square foot main house built in 1936.  It has been lovingly restored to showcase its historic charm with original doors and hardware, floors and tilework. The painstaking renovations include modern touches such as a new back patio, front pond and lighted fountain, new roof, and updated amenities throughout the house.

Also situated on the property is a new 3275 square foot lodge and a completely remodeled 728 square foot bunk house -- the three houses combined will sleep 24 very comfortably and include numerous outdoor porches, gathering areas and a fire pit.

Additional features of the property include a 3-sided concrete floor equipment/ hay barn, a covered equipment shed, and large enclosed barn for storage and maintenance.  There is also a walk-in cooler and game cleaning area, and two no-maintenance bat houses for insect control.   The rangelands are well-managed and watered by 3 miles of water distribution to 8 ponds/lakes and several irrigated food plots.

A Horse Named Poco Lena: Story of Tragedy and Triumph

B.A. Skipper, Jr. bought quarter horse Poco Lena in 1959, bringing her to the Skipper Ranch which was to be her home during her record-breaking years as a championship show horse.  She would become the first horse inducted into the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Hall of Fame, winning numerous competitions and titles.  Poco Lena also became the first mare inducted into the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Hall of Fame. 

Tragedy struck in October of 1962 when B.A. Skipper, Jr.'s small plane crashed on his way back from a competition in Arizona.   Poco Lena and another horse had been transported back to the ranch by a hired driver in a trailer.  During the confusion of the search for Skipper, the two horses were left by the side of the road for 4 days without food or water.  The episode nearly killed Poco Lena.  She was slowly nursed back to health, and though she never competed again, the mare went on to produce two foals that became NCHA cutting champions in their own right. Her championship lineage continues today.

For more information on Skipper Ranch, contact Charles Davidson, Republic Ranches at 210.415.5570 or [email protected]

SOURCE Republic Ranches