The George Ranch Historical Park

• Visit
  • General Information
  • Historical Meals
  • Individuals & Families
  • Group Tours (15+)
  • Dinner Belle Cafe
  • Calendar
  • Frequently Asked Questions
• Educational Programs
• Annual Public Events
• Corporate Events, Facility Rentals & Weddings
• Dry Creek General Store
• Get Involved
• About Us
• Links

About the George Ranch Historical Park

1830s Pioneer Settlers

When Henry and Nancy Jones settled in Austin's Colony, this was open land ... no farms, no crops, just rich black soil filled with rich potential. Guests can step into another world just a few miles from Houston.

• A replica pioneer dog-trot-style log cabin with a natural air conditioning system.
• Farm buildings including a barn, smokehouse and chicken coop
• Thomas and Jeremiah, the oxen team that works the fields
• Seasonal crops you can help harvest
• Livestock (chickens, pigs, horses, etc)
• Weaving, grinding corn, and other hands-on activities and daily demonstrations.

1860s

 

1890s Victorians and Cowboys

Texas sped toward the 20^th century with exciting developments in several areas of technology and commerce. Innovative ranchers nurtured new ideas for raising their stock, therefore improving the return on their investment. They built ranching empires out of the tough landscape that was perfectly suited to range cattle. Texas was part of the Old West, active in the last years of the long cattle drives. Visitors to the George Ranch Historical Park can experience Texas in the late 19^th century through a number of unique program offerings.

• The Rail Car and Longhorn Pens:
  While longhorn cattle graze nearby in the pasture, an exhibit presents the ways cattle were moved to market from this part of Texas ... some went by trails, some by rails and even some by sails.
• The Sharecropper's Farm:
  Step into the daily life of freed slaves after the Civil War (features include: salvaged frame house, outbuildings and livestock)
• Chuck Wagon Camp:
  Meet "Cookie" as he describes the last days of the cattle drives while preparing food at his authentic chuck wagon.
• Oldenburg Blacksmith:
  Learn the importance of the blacksmith trade as you watch our craftsmen at work. As in older days, our blacksmith makes most of the metal tools and equipment needed on the Ranch.
• The Davis House:
  Get a feel for the very proper Victorian era by touring the elegant Davis House. This beautiful home depicts life in the 1890s, and is a favorite of visitors of all ages.
• The Original Family Cemetery:
  The family cemetery was started in the 1820s with the last burial in 1916. Many of the later generations of the family are buried in historic Morton Cemetery in Richmond.

1930s Working Ranch

A.P. and Mamie George were the last generation of Henry and Nancy Jones's descendents to oversee this ranching operation.  The ranch house still stands where it was built at the turn-of-the-century (designed by renowned Galveston architect Nicholas Clayton).  The original barns and working pens set the stage for our interpretive programs on ranching in the 1930s and 1940s. 

• Tour the George Ranch House, filled with many of the Georges' furnishings.
• See the cowboys working cattle in the front pens (sorting, roping, and more).
• Watch the cowboys tend to the cattle in the chute before sending them into one of the few dipping vats still in existence in the United States.