Picosa Ranch W
hen John B. Connally, three-term governor from 1963 to 1969, wanted to escape politics, it was to Picosa Ranch, 30 miles from downtown San Antonio, he and his wife, Nellie, retreated. When entertaining Presidents and other leaders, they hosted parties at the same destination. Connally was proud of his lifelong homestead, maintained through his tenure as governor, Secretary of the Navy and Secretary of the Treasury. His presence is still felt throughout the ranch, especially in his office where memorabilia have been preserved. Some 40 years later, its sale will provide a new family the opportunity to create its own legacy at Picosa Ranch. With its proximity to San Antonio, increasingly a mecca of cultural and culinary arts, and to the Eagle Ford Shale, the property is an amazing opportunity for many varied ventures. “Newcomers to Texas are fleeing high local and state taxes, cold weather, high crime and other problems,” said listing broker Rick Kuper of Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty. “The Picosa Ranch, deep in the heart of Texas, affords a golden opportunity to build a legacy for generations to come.” Building a family legacy is all the more enjoyable knowing income from the Picosa’s extensive hunting operation can offset the ranch’s operating costs. With many luxurious trappings, hunting at Picosa Ranch is popular for corporate retreats and business transactions as well as serious social get-togethers. Among established breeds are trophy white tailed deer, upland game birds and exotic eland, oryx, addax and waterbucks. Presently hunt packages last four days and three nights and include a guide, in-field transportation, game care, bass fishing and trap shooting. Hunters see an average of 30 bucks a day, more when the rut is on. Guests may fly onto the property via a 4,400-foot lighted airstrip; or, San Antonio International Airport is no more than 45 minutes away.
One of the benefits of continuing the commercial side of the ranch is its separation from the owners’ residence, many acres removed, at The South Range Lodge. This compound includes six finely appointed suites, each with handtooled leather accessories and a luxurious bathroom. The suites’ wrap-around porch invites long talks or studying nature. Between the main lodge and suites is a lagoon-like sunken pool with a swim-up bar. Within the lodge, itself a stylish renovation of a cattle barn, guests gather at the pool table, massive stone fireplace and flat screen TVs or play a game outdoors. A full outdoor kitchen, called The Pit, has a fully equipped kitchen, surround sound and three large flat-screen TVs with BluRay all under a covered flagstone pavilion accommodates up to 40 tables. Meanwhile back home….the Connally’s luxurious 8,200-square-foot main house was built with grand spaces for living and entertaining. Soaring ceilings and walls of glass create a modern sensibility, accentuated by native limestone and indigenous woods. Behind the main house is a fourbedroom guest house designed by famed architect O’Neil Ford, and a private swimming pool. Residents enjoy nearby fishing at the on-site Fish Camp, as well as skeet shooting, horseback riding, swimming, biking, tennis, hunting or camera safaris. World-class golf and shopping are less than 45 minutes away in San Antonio. For equestrians, horses thrive at a 43-stable horse barn with a full-size rodeo arena. If your imagination is stirred by the possibilities, visit www.picosaranch.net then call Rick Kuper at 210.240.8282 for more information or to schedule a visit.