(Tom) Waggoner was heard to say, There I was with more than 5,000 big, wild steers, 50 sore-backed horses, $12 and 16 years of my life., In a 1956 article in The Quarter Horse Journal, Franklin Reynolds notes, It was possibly Tom Waggoners experiences with those sorry horses that caused him to resolve to always have good ones. [6] It is the second largest ranch in Texas (after the King Ranch),[6] enclosing 510,527 acres (207,000ha; 798sqmi; 2,070km2) of land. (and future trustees) would have the sole right to make all management decisions. Northwest Texas was open range in the 1850s, when Dan Waggoner and his fifteen-year-old black slave trailed 242 Longhorn cattle and 6 horses to Wise County. The Bold Brand - The Land Report Sign up to hear from us about specials, sales, and events. Waggoner Ranch Store Most other ranches in this general area also rely on creek water and earthen ponds. Bucky wanted the ranch to be divided, not liquidated. By all rights the Waggoner Ranch ought to be the equal of the King Ranch in Texas lore. Originally, the trust was supposed to expire after twenty years, in 1943, but the terms of the trust allowed it to be routinely extended in twenty-year increments until 1983. Who was going to be responsible for it? Both ranches once covered more than a million acres. It was a crash course, but I learned more in those six months than Id learned my whole life. In 1975 he married Joline, a young woman he had met in Albuquerque seven years earlier. West Texans Are Learning What It Means to Live in Bear Country, H-E-Bs True Texas BBQ Restaurant Is Slipping, Jimmy Carters Peanut-and-Egg Taco Made Quite the Impression on San Antonians. In 1923, W. T. formed what is known today as the W. T. Waggoner Estate. Its absence symbolizes the fate of the Guy Waggoner clan in the history of the ranch. 1700 Deaf Smith St., Vernon, TX 76384, US. The Reversed 3Ds is still used as a symbol representing the historic Waggoner Ranch. All rights reserved. By the 1880s, the Waggoners Victorian mansion, El Castile, was the most prominent structure in Decatur. Historically, potable drinking water has been an issue on the Waggoner Ranch, and for that matter, on many other ranches in this area of North Texas. As land was cleared for settlement, he gradually moved west and by the late 1870s settled along Beaver Creek near Electra Texas. To Buckys surprise, the Biggs family responded by filing suit, asking the court to liquidate the estate. Sep 1989 - Present33 years 6 months. By the time he was 27, Tom had full reins of the Waggoner cattle empire.. There is a photograph of her in the Red River Valley Museum, near Vernon College, along with a large collection of her work: busts of Will Rogers, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, Bob Hope, Knute Rockne, Amon Carter, John Nance Garner. [6] However, in 1923, he changed his mind, and set up a Massachusetts trust. At every opportunity, Dan Waggoner purchased land. They say he was as mad as a nest of hornets. Either Guys two children would become their partners or E. Paul and Buster would have to buy them out. It doesnt seem real to even think about it, he says. Cowboys ambling from the bunkhouse to the cookhouse for their five-thirty breakfast see her loping across pastures, dodging bulls and pump jacks. 940-552-2521 x:270. A portion of this acreage is seeded to very productive Coastal Bermuda. The W. T. Waggoner Estate is the nation's largest ranch under one fence. It was notable for being the largest ranch within one fence in the United States. We met in the boardroom at the Waggoner building, Roberson told me. In 1869 Dan made seventeen-year-old W.T. Its a constant battle. Over these past three decades, Bucky has absorbed every inch of this ranch and most of its colorful history. Ranches, Farms and Land forsale in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado and Kansas. Jim Jennings, in a 2005 article in The Quarter Horse Journal, states, By 1868, the Waggoner outfit had grown considerably, but help was still short. [9], In August 2014, the ranch was listed on the real estate market with an asking price of US$725 million. was determined to keep Electra nearby. Today, the W. T. Waggoner Ranch is managed by Sam Connolly of Bozeman. [8] By 1903, he sold some of the land near China Creek to developers. Each camp is equipped with a managers house, outbuildings and pens. W. T. Waggoner Ranch is currently developing hunting opportunities for quail, wild hog and deer. This is the job I set my sights on, he says. I didnt ask for the nuts and bolts, he said and walked away. A full moon hangs over West Diving Board Pasture. If you fill out the first name, last name, or agree to terms fields, you will NOT be added to the newsletter list. Waggoner first settled his wife and son, William Thomas (Tom) Waggoner,qv in a home on Catlett Creek near the site of present Decatur. The horse operation, known as the Whiteface Division, is a state-of-the-art training/breeding facility located in the northeastern portion of the Waggoner Ranch. He borrowed a large sum from his nonagenarian grandmother, Ella, who later transferred the note to E. Paul. Waggoner acquired more land. We were talking in Buckys office, a large corner suite on the second floor of the long, low W. T. Waggoner Estate Building just off the main highway in Vernon. In later years, W.T. [4][8] From 1889 to 1903, they acquired land in Wichita County, Wilbarger County as well as Foard County, Knox County, Baylor County and Archer County. This historic brand has been used in one form or another since that date, making it one of the very oldest brands in Texas. [8] The ranch spanned more than a million acres of land. Sachueista Gate - WT Waggoner Estate Ranch - Vernon, Texas We love our customers, so feel free to visit during normal business hours. They wintered the herd that year in Clay County and the following spring drove it to market, netting a profit of $55,000. Electra prevailed, as usual. To make the trip, Dan gave Tom $12, a group of drovers, and 50 saddle horses, all of which had sores on their backs from heavy use. To sum up the great legacy of the Waggoner Horse Program, it has produced three AQHA Hall of Fame Members (one Waggoner heir and two Waggoner horses): E. Paul Waggoner, Poco Bueno and Poco Lena; it is the number one All-Time Leading Breeder of NCHA Hall of Fame Members, Poco Lena, Poco Mona, Poco Stampede and Snipper W; it is the number three All-Time Breeder of AQHA Champions; and it is the Breeder of All-Time Leading Sires, Poco Pine, Poco Tivio, Poco Dell and Poco Bob. [6], After W.T. . Quanah delivered the land to the Waggoners and other cattle baronsat one time, Waggoner and son leased 650,000 acres for an annual payment of $30,000and the cattle barons made Quanah rich and famous. Mesquite is the major invader in this part of Texas. Though there are more than two thousand miles of road inside the ranch, there are hardly any road signs or navigational landmarks. Its the Story of Shankleville, One of the States Early Freedom Colonies. The Waggoner Ranch is a historic north Texas ranch located 13 miles south of Vernon, Texas. Another formula was used to calculate mineral rights, pipelines, cattle, horses, equipment, other assets. The Waggoner is one of the 20 largest cattle ranches in the U.S. and is known worldwide for its quarter horses. W.T. Most sets of pens are capable of handling several thousand head of cattle at one time. [6] His children would elect a Board of Trustees, who would make decisions with him at the helm. Approximately 160,000 acres of the 560,000 acres areproven prolific oilproperties. W.T. One morning she packed, jumped in her car, and headed for town, not bothering to stop and open any of the ten gates on the way. Vernon Regional Airport has a 5,100 foot long runway. This was probably a bluff. Currently, Waggoner Ranch offspring are excelling in multiple competitive associations, including AQHA, Stock Horse of Texas, NRHA, NRCHA and NCHA. | The only time we dont work, Hawley tells me, is when its raining and lightning, or when its very hot. (Waggoner) hit oil instead. The W. T. Waggoner Ranch is five-time winner of the Texas Ranch Roundup and a recipient of the American Quarter Horse Association's "Best of the Remuda Award". When E. Paul drew Zacaweista instead, W.T. Brokers: Sale of Waggoner ranch looks hopeful as bidding ends - Chron [6], In 1991, Electra Waggoner Biggs sued to be able to sell the ranch. The ranch is reported to be the largest contiguous ranching operation of its kind under one fence in Texas, and one of the largest in the United States. Cowboying isnt a profession, its a life, but if the Waggoner Ranch is broken up into pieces, that life will exist no more. By the late fifties, forces were marshalling to ensure total control for E. Paul and his heirs. (Tom) Waggoner was heard to say, There I was with more t, han 5,000 big, wild steers, 50 sore-backed horses, $12 and 16 years of my life.. A complete list of this inventory can be made available. They chose the latter. How could things have spun so wildly out of control? Several small on-site water wells are also located in this large block of farmland. In 1965 he replaced Tony Hazelwood as foreman. The mesquite trees that now dominate the land arrived later, their seeds transported in cow droppings as herds from South Texas passed through on their way to railheads in Kansas. Worth Metroplex area. He sits across the table from me in his starched jeans and freshly shined boots, ramrod straight, his hat resting in his lap, his gray hair slicked down. [11] Buster raised polo ponies and established the El Ranchio Polo Club on the ranch. But selling the ranchor, worse still, permitting the court to liquidate itwould cost both sides dearly in taxes and prestige. Hughes grew up in Vernon and has been hunting and fishing on the ranch since high school. As Parker biographer Bill Neeley has noted, ethics and morality played no part of this business arrangement. After a hard rain, this endless maze of graded red clay becomes a network of quagmires. [8] Although it still spans six counties, it is primarily centered on Wichita County and Wilbarger County. $720,000,000 [6][11] E. Paul Waggoner raised Quarter Horses on the ranch. Copyright 2023 W. T. Waggoner Ranch Uptown Style WordPress theme by, 2013 Gelding (Cat Man Do X Smoked Diamonds), 2015 Stallion (Cat Man Do X Smokin and Swingin). W.T. Hawley has a cell phone handy, and the ranch radio under the dash crackles with voices from isolated posts miles away. Waggoner found oil while drilling for water. All together, as one may imagine, with this many contiguous acres, there is an immense variety of land types on the Waggoner. Moore astonished Bucky by trying to buy his stock in the estate. Currently, the ranch has a water well lease on a nearby offsite well, which furnishes livestock water through an extensive waterline network to the large block of farmland located on the northwest side of the ranch, and also to the main ranch headquarters. The cowboys sided with Bucky, who felt that hunters left litter, cut fences, and left gates open. The Running W is the brand for the King Ranch located in south Texas close to Kingsville, Tx. Buster never liked cows; the only thing about the ranch he cared about was horses, especially his polo ponies. Its a perfect October morning, cool and crisp, and the ranch spreads out in every direction, 25 miles north to south, 30 miles east to west. Or so people say.. The Waggoner (Three D) Ranch had its beginnings in the early 1850s when Daniel Waggonerqv and a fifteen-year-old black slave trailed 242 longhorn cattleqv and six horses into Wise County. This is your chance to purchase the W.T. Now the fate of the ranch was up to the court. In a January 2003 deposition, Gene said he sent Bucky his own draft of the map but never got a reply. The nearly 30,000 acres of farmland is generally farmed in wheat for grazing, but Coastal Bermuda fields and haygrazer fields are baled and used to feed cattle and also to supply quality hay for the large horse operation. [2][3] It was originally established in 1852 near Vernon, Texas, by Daniel Waggoner under the name of Dan Waggoner & Son; his son being William Thomas Waggoner. Its like watching the death of a huge and magnificent animal: People cant bear to look, yet theyre powerless to turn away. Electra married A.B. In his entire life, he never drew a paycheck from anyone but the Waggoners. FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) One of the largest ranches in the U.S. and an icon for Texas horse and cattlemen has been listed for $725 million, marking the end of a decades-long courtroom battle among. The Wichita River, the two branches of Beaver Creek, countless small streams and tributaries, and dozens of stock tanks supply the ranchs water. For years, its two feuding clans have agreed on only one thing: They want to break up their vast eight-hundred-square-mile spread and close this chapter of Texas history. At least thats what everyone outside the two families, their lawyers, and the judge believe happened. Killen told Bucky, Take this, go back to New Mexico, and live your life. The W.T. Two years after Prathers resignation, Bucky gave notice of termination of the trust in a letter to Electra IIs family. After the first freeze, 120,000 geese will land on Santa Rosa Lake and feast on winter wheat fields. B. This sprawling property is approximately three-fourths the size of Rhode Island. The family feud began the moment the old man rigged the game. The property is divided into approximately 16 camp or division units. As the frontier pushed westward, he expanded his herd and bought more land, in Clay and Wichita counties. Dan died in 1903, leaving everything to Tom. Quanah saw his alliance with the Waggoners and other cattle barons as a way to better the lives of his peopleand his own to boot. Nearby Vernon, which serves as the famed headquarters for the ranch operations office complex, receives an average of 28 inches per year. [5], The ranch is located west of Wichita Falls, Texas, south of Vernon, near the Red River. Be alert all the time and ready to go, he says in a strong, sure voice. The main headquarters at the Waggoner Ranch has municipal-quality water from Vernon. a full partner, gave him $12, a group of drovers, and fifty hard-used saddle horses, and sent him to Abilene, Kansas, with a herd of five thousand steers. Mid America is your local truck topper and trailer dealer in St Louis MO for all your new and used truck toppers in st louis as well as dump trailers and utility flatbed trailers in St Louis MO. The only thing I can figure, it was give to them. Thats where Electra Waggoner Biggs lived and where she kept her studio, Hughes tells me. The cost of buying out Guys third of the estate had put a crimp in the flow of dividends, and Buster was running short of money. WHAT WE DO: We deliver strategic, brand-driven marketing communications solutions and deploy content that truly resonates . . By contrast, Bucky is reserved, private, and serious about his business affairs. [9] In 1902, W.T. No way I could live in the city. He means Vernon (population: 12,000). Fire Ants Have Unleashed Chaos in Texas for Decades. A unified decision has now been made by the shareholders to sell this legendary ranch. [14] Her second cousin, Albert Buckman Wharton III, also known as Bucky Wharton, who was Buster Wharton's son, appealed to stop the liquidation. Meanwhile, W.T.s widow, Ella, ran the ranch as dowager empress until her death, in 1959. Lake Kemp, a popular North Texas fishing and recreational site, is located approximately 40 miles west of Wichita Falls in Cara Blanca Park, the recreational park surrounding the lake. has created a haven for deer, turkey, quail, dove, waterfowl and feral hogs. Traveling to the Four Corners line camp, where Guy Waggoners great home once stood, I tried to imagine that day in the twenties when Anne Burnett Waggoner, the fifth of Guys eight wives, decided shed had enough.