Homer Wilson
Ranch Repairs
Completed: June 2018
Amount Raised: $25,000
Top Donors: Meta Alice Keith Bratten Foundation, Summerlee Foundation
About the Project
Big Bend Conservancy proudly supported much-needed repairs to the historic Homer Wilson Ranch, preserving one of the few remaining examples of early ranch life in the Big Bend region. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974, the ranch tells the story of the area’s early settlement and economic development.
When the federal government acquired the land to establish Big Bend National Park, many ranch buildings were demolished, but thanks to the foresight of Big Bend's first superintendent, Ross Maxwell, the Wilson home was spared. As the story goes, he “forgot” to tear it down until it was old enough to be deemed historic.
Today, more than two-thirds of park visitors pass this site on their way to Castolon and Santa Elena Canyon, or stop for the short, accessible hike to the ranch house at the head of the Blue Creek Trail. Its visibility and ease of access make it one of the park’s most significant opportunities for visitors to connect with Big Bend’s ranching heritage.
Originally the heart of Homer Wilson’s operations in the Chisos Mountains, the stone ranch house, once home to Wilson’s foreman Lott Felts, still stands with its thick walls, flagstone floor, and iconic viga-and-cane ceiling. Surrounding ruins of corrals, a bunkhouse, and an ingenious water system designed by Wilson himself offer a vivid glimpse into life in this rugged landscape. Thanks to donor support, this important piece of Big Bend’s history remains standing strong for future generations to experience.