Early 1800's ranch shares past with present

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

The majestic Davis Mansion is a big attraction at the George Ranch Historical Park near Richmond. Another keen site is the working cowboys, who demonstrate the various chores that were necessary in the early days of Texas. -- Staff photo by Taylor

Sept. 23, 2004 - One hundred and eighty years ago this past July, the heritage of the George Ranch Historical Park, outside of Richmond, originated when Nancy and Henry Jones purchased 4,428 acres. Settled in 1824 as part of Austin's Colony, four generations of the family contributed to making the ranch the wonderful piece of history it now offers to Texas students and citizens.

Today, the ranch has 23,000 acres, and in 1998, the ranch was opened to the public as the George Ranch Historical Park, serving more than 80,000 visitors each year.

"George Ranch Historical Park holds Texas' 'big' stories ... from cattle to cotton crops to oil, from the Texas revolution to the Civil War to World War II ...," cites information from the ranch.

Unlike many families' legacies, this property was passed from mother to daughter, until it became a historical park.

When the Jones' purchased the land near the Brazos River, they had traveled from Arkansas Territory and joined Austin's Colony in 1822. Each of them loved the land, and they developed a stock farm where they built a "dogtrot" cabin that could house as many as 12 people.

Nathan Trilicek puts his rope in motion to catch a calf during a demonstration in the Geroge Ranch arena. -- Staff photo by Taylor

According to Karen Stevenson, director of marketing at the historical park, the family worked the garden and took care of the hogs, chickens and livestock ... including two oxen that pulled the plows. These crops and livestock were key when it came to feeding the family during the years before the Civil War.

Polly Jones inherited the ranch from her mother Nancy, and after marrying William Ryon, managed the ranch throughout the "golden era" of cattle and cattle drives. Upon the death of her husband, Polly moved to Richmond into a Victorian home, which was later moved to the ranch.

Their daughter, Susan Ryon, was next in line for the family property. She married J.H.P. Davis, and the wealth of the family continued to grow. The Victorian home became known as the "Davis Mansion," and was filled with beautiful things from their travels.

Even though Susan was landlady of the family property, Polly Jones continued to manage the ranch assets until 1886, which was two years after daughter Susan died. At this time she turned the more than 20,000 acres and 8,000 head of cattle over to her son-in-law J.H.P. Davis, and he operated the ranch until it was passed to his and Susan's daughter, Mary Elizabeth (Mamie).

In 1896, Mamie married Albert P. George, and a new home was built for them on the ranch. The discovery of oil increased the wealth of the family. After losing a young son and a niece, there were no heirs left in the legacy, so the Georges established The George Foundation to make sure Texas children would be able to be educated in the state's history, as well as funding other educational programs across the country.

Today, visitors to George Ranch Historical Park can take a walking tour of the area, complete with people in period dress, performing chores of the times. The Jones Stock Farm is still there, complete with the oxen, Thomas and Jeremiah (or Tom and Jerry) and a chuck wagon cook.

The tour is filled with interesting facts. It is said the cowboys, who worked the early cattle drives, were usually between 14- and 20-years-old, and they lived off possum, rattlesnake, venison or "innards," rather than slaughter any of the cows on the drive. Visitors can see the "real" cowboys working cattle in a rodeo-size arena.

Other houses to visit at the park include the 1890s sharecropper's farm, the Davis Mansion, and the final home built by Mamie and Albert P. George. There is also a family cemetery where Henry and Nancy Jones are buried, along with a number of other descendants.

Approximately 30,000 park guests are children from areas around the Richmond area. George was one of the founders of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and the personnel at the ranch "continue teaching students and visitors about livestock management and ranching."

The park's mission is to "preserve and interpret the century-long history of Mrs. George's ancestors and their relationship with the land, the evolution of agricultural and ranching traditions in Texas, and the experiences of the multi-cultural labor force that has worked the land since 1824."

On Oct. 22, the Texian Market School Day will offer "hands-on" experiences for middle and junior high students, with a two-day celebration benefiting the educational programs of the Fort Bend Museum Association, who is a partner at the ranch, continuing on Oct. 23 and 24.

Finally, while there is much to do and see ... including Texas Longhorns ... at the ranch, visitors are faced with a sign right up front, warning them to watch for alligators! Remember, it is in the Brazos River area and rumor has it there is an alligator over 12-feet long in the area.

(For information concerning the George Ranch Historical Park and availability for private parties, contact Stevenson at 281-343-0218 ext. 258, or kstevenson@georgeranch.org.)