Everything is Bigger in Texas — A Look at Historical Texas Ranches
Published September 2, 2024
Texas ranching history is as big as the state itself. From the legendary King Ranch to the storied XIT Ranch, here's a look at some of the most historically significant ranches in the Lone Star State.
King Ranch — Founded in 1853 by Captain Richard King, the King Ranch covers more than 825,000 acres in South Texas. It's larger than the state of Rhode Island and is the birthplace of the Santa Gertrudis breed of cattle.
XIT Ranch — At its peak in the 1890s, the XIT spanned 3 million acres across the Texas Panhandle. It was given to a Chicago syndicate in exchange for building the Texas State Capitol.
Waggoner Ranch — A working ranch since 1849 and the largest ranch under one fence in the United States until its recent sale.
4 Sixes (6666) Ranch — Made famous most recently by the show Yellowstone, this North Texas ranch has been operating since 1870.
Many of these ranches offer tours or have visitor centers — well worth a stop if you're driving through with the RV.
