Fair Oaks Ranch
14509 US 59 S, Berclair, TXThe Fair Oaks Ranch Rural Historic Landscape District covers 10,352 acres in southeastern Texas and is an excellent example of an early Texas cattle ranch, with buildings, structures, and sites from the ranch's 150-year history intact and in good condition. The ranch is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places in the area of Agriculture, and Architecture, at the state level of significance.
Fair Oaks Ranch meets the guidelines for listing as a Rural Historic Landscape District due to its historic and continued use of the land for stock raising and the integrity of the many cultural resources associated with ranch activities that are found within the district. Fair Oaks is a rare artifact of the ranching heritage of Goliad County and a remarkably intact example of the type of cattle ranch found in this portion of Texas. The many cultural resources located on the ranch tell the story of cattle ranching in south Texas-from the first ranch headquarters to the extensive second headquarters complex complete with ranch office, ranch hand housing, wash house, barns, and pens, to the third ranch headquarters and other cattle-related buildings and sites. The ranch's integrity is remarkable: the physical boundaries remain as they were in 1905; the land use patterns and property layout remain largely unchanged from the early 1900s when the ranch was fully developed; there are very few noncontributing resources present; and the family who established it has been operating it for six generations. This integrity makes it unique among other ranches in the state. Fair Oaks also meets criterion for the excellence of its individual resources, which embody the distinctive characteristics of ranch buildings from this region and time period. Present at Fair Oaks Ranch is most of the landscape characteristics of a rural historic landscape as defined by National Register Bulletin 30. These landscape characteristics, such as circulation networks, patterns of spatial organization, land uses and activities, and vegetation, exhibit a high degree of integrity. There are very few non-contributing resources and the many contributing resources such as houses, barns, fencing, auxiliary farm structures, farm roads, stock ponds, windmills, and the grazing land itself, have been altered very little. Fair Oaks possesses an extraordinary sense of place and retains a very high degree of integrity.
Local significance of the district:
Fair Oaks Ranch meets the guidelines for listing as a Rural Historic Landscape District due to its historic and continued use of the land for stock raising and the integrity of the many cultural resources associated with ranch activities that are found within the district. Fair Oaks is a rare artifact of the ranching heritage of Goliad County and a remarkably intact example of the type of cattle ranch found in this portion of Texas. The many cultural resources located on the ranch tell the story of cattle ranching in south Texas-from the first ranch headquarters to the extensive second headquarters complex complete with ranch office, ranch hand housing, wash house, barns, and pens, to the third ranch headquarters and other cattle-related buildings and sites. The ranch's integrity is remarkable: the physical boundaries remain as they were in 1905; the land use patterns and property layout remain largely unchanged from the early 1900s when the ranch was fully developed; there are very few noncontributing resources present; and the family who established it has been operating it for six generations. This integrity makes it unique among other ranches in the state. Fair Oaks also meets criterion for the excellence of its individual resources, which embody the distinctive characteristics of ranch buildings from this region and time period. Present at Fair Oaks Ranch is most of the landscape characteristics of a rural historic landscape as defined by National Register Bulletin 30. These landscape characteristics, such as circulation networks, patterns of spatial organization, land uses and activities, and vegetation, exhibit a high degree of integrity. There are very few non-contributing resources and the many contributing resources such as houses, barns, fencing, auxiliary farm structures, farm roads, stock ponds, windmills, and the grazing land itself, have been altered very little. Fair Oaks possesses an extraordinary sense of place and retains a very high degree of integrity.
Agriculture; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2007.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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About Goliad County
Goliad County Timeline
Goliad County, Texas, has a rich and layered history that dates back centuries. The region was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Karankawas, Tonkawas, and Lipan Apaches. Spanish explorers, led by Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, were the first Europeans to visit the area in the 16th century.
In 1829, the Mexican government established Goliad County as a municipality as part of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas. The town of Goliad was established as the county seat, and it quickly became a center for trade and commerce. However, tensions grew between the Mexican government and American settlers in Texas, eventually leading to the Texas Revolution.
One of the most well-known events in Goliad County's history occurred during the Texas Revolution in 1836. After the fall of the Alamo, Colonel James Fannin and his troops were captured by Mexican forces and held in the presidio at Goliad. In a tragic turn of events, Fannin and his men were executed in what became known as the Goliad Massacre, a significant event that further fueled the desire for Texas independence.
After gaining independence, Goliad County continued to grow and develop. The area became an important hub for ranching and agriculture, particularly in the production of cattle, cotton, and peanuts. Today, Goliad County is known for its rich historical heritage and its thriving tourism industry, drawing visitors with its impressive historic sites and events that commemorate the region's past.
In 1829, the Mexican government established Goliad County as a municipality as part of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas. The town of Goliad was established as the county seat, and it quickly became a center for trade and commerce. However, tensions grew between the Mexican government and American settlers in Texas, eventually leading to the Texas Revolution.
One of the most well-known events in Goliad County's history occurred during the Texas Revolution in 1836. After the fall of the Alamo, Colonel James Fannin and his troops were captured by Mexican forces and held in the presidio at Goliad. In a tragic turn of events, Fannin and his men were executed in what became known as the Goliad Massacre, a significant event that further fueled the desire for Texas independence.
After gaining independence, Goliad County continued to grow and develop. The area became an important hub for ranching and agriculture, particularly in the production of cattle, cotton, and peanuts. Today, Goliad County is known for its rich historical heritage and its thriving tourism industry, drawing visitors with its impressive historic sites and events that commemorate the region's past.
Goliad County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Goliad County, Texas.
- 1821 - Mexican Revolutionary General Martín Perfecto de Cos granted land to empresario Martín De León in what is now Goliad County
- 1829 - The Mexican government granted the De León Colony rights to settle in the area
- 1836 - Goliad County was officially established as a municipality of the Republic of Texas
- 1836 - The Goliad Massacre occurred during the Texas Revolution, where prisoners of war from the Battle of Coleto were executed by the Mexican army
- 1846 - The county was formally organized and named Goliad County after the presidio and the Spanish fort located in the area
- 1850s - The county experienced economic growth with cattle ranching and agriculture becoming prominent industries
- 1881 - The San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway built a line through the county, leading to further development
- 20th century - Goliad County continued to thrive with the discovery of oil and gas reserves in the area
- 2000 - Goliad County celebrated its 175th anniversary
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