Ask Bret Polk
Fossil Falls Ranch
Description
Location: Fossil Falls Ranch is ideally located 8.5+/- miles south of Glen Rose, Texas, on Highway 144 and Bosque County Road No. 2730, approximately 1-1/2 hours southwest Dallas and 1 hour southwest of Fort Worth.
Summary: Often desired, but rarely found, best describe the collection of land features that come together on Fossil Falls Ranch. It truly does check all the boxes for a one of a kind recreational property offering exceptional topography, a spring-fed LIVE WATER creek, diverse variety of tree cover, superb wildlife habitat, outstanding hunting and fishing, small lake, numerous ponds, and a location that would be hard to beat. Rounding out this perfect retreat you'll find well maintained and comfortable improvements for both owner and guest.
Terrain: The ranch boasts ~225' of breathtaking elevation change with vista views as far as the eye can see. A two-story 1,260 SF observation deck was recently constructed on one of the hilltops and truly raises the bar for utilizing a property's topographical features to the fullest extent. This is a wonderful place to look out over the ranch and get the lay of land, view wildlife in the valleys along the creek bottom, enjoy an afternoon picnic or evening looking at the stars, and take in the Texas-size panoramic scenery of Bosque and Somervell County. There are multiple additional hilltops and lookout vantage points around the ranch that are equally as impressive and "must-sees" on ranch tours. The property offers a wide and diverse variety of tree cover from live oak, spanish oak, and shumard oak, to sycamore, pecan, and black walnut. Brush species consist of bumelia, redbud, sumac, mexican buckeye, elbowbrush, agarita, hog plum, mexican plum, greenbriar, cedar, and mesquite. The ranch also offers two creek bottom coastal bermuda hay pastures of 20 and 6+/- acres in size respectively. The smaller of the two pastures is irrigated. In the spring the ranch is blanketed in a beautiful display of colors as an impressive variety of wildflowers are found throughout. The soils are primarily made up of the Brackett-Eckrant association, Sunev clay loam, Purves clay, Krum clay, Denton silty clay, and Cranfill gravelly clay loam.
Live Water: The South Fork of Hill Creek runs along the north boundary and then through the middle of the ranch for over 1 mile. This reliable year round water feature is fed by multiple springs and is host to numerous deep long pools of crystal clear water, the highlight of which is a deep swimming hole found at the base of a large waterfall. Fishing, swimming, or just simply sitting on the bank under a big live oak and listening to the water are just a few of the many ways in which this live water feature can be enjoyed. This constant source of fresh water is also a big draw for wildlife and its secluded riparian areas are well used travel corridors.
Additional Surface Water: A nice 3+/- acre lake is located on the eastern portion of the property and is stocked with bass, channel cat, black crappie, bluegill, and red-ear sunfish. This is a great recreational water source with some structure and a small island, and would be the perfect place for a child to develop a love for fishing. There are 4 additional stock ponds scattered around the property that are fed by seasonal creeks and draws.
Wildlife & Hunting: Fossil Falls provides prime wildlife habitat and is home to abundance of deer and turkey, along with dove, hog, and varmint. Duck also frequent portions of the creek and the small lake. The property has only been lightly hunted by the owner and family in recent years. There are 3 corn feeders and bow blinds currently in place that will convey with the property.
Structural Improvements: On the east side of the ranch you will find an 1,100 SF owner's cabin, 635 SF guest cabin, and a 3,500 SF barn/shop. Both cabins where constructed in 2015, offer tasteful finishes inside and out, and are comfortably furnished. The owner's cabin is a 1 bed, 1-1/2 bath with a large living room, kitchen, and dining area, as well as a roomy master bathroom and separate utility/mud room. The guest cabin is a 1 bed, 1 bath also with its own living room, kitchen, and dining area. It also has a loft for additional sleeping area. Each cabin has a covered full length front porch overlooking Hill Creek. The large barn/shop was constructed 2016-2017 , is insulated, has 4 roll-up doors, one walk-in door, and is equipped with water and electric.
On the west side of the property in a park-like setting is a 1,234 SF enclosure known as the "Pavilion". No expense was spared in creating this wonderful family and guest gathering area that offers an exquisite kitchen fully equipped with granite countertops, custom cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, private pantry, and coffee bar. There's also a large dining area, two big sitting areas, and a restroom. Outside you'll find a wonderful screened in porch, wrapped by an even larger covered porch with multiple sitting areas and a storage room. For family and friends, there are 4 private guest cabins just steps away from the pavilion. Ranging in size from 276 SF to 410 SF, each is a 1 bedroom, 1 bath with kitchen, living/dining area, and private porches. Three of the cabins also have lofts for additional sleeping areas.
Well Water: The ranch currently has two good water wells in place. One is a 685' deep 2nd Trinity well which supplies water to the pavilion and cabins. The system is equipped with two 3,000 gallon storage tanks and 3 pressure tanks, and are all housed in a large 585 SF well house with roll-up and walk-in door access. This well is also piped to one of the stock ponds and irrigation in the hay pasture. The second well is a 90' deep Paluxy well which supplies water to the owner's cabin, guest cabin, and barn/shop on the easterly end of the ranch.
Roads & Fencing: Fossil Falls Ranch provides two private gated entrance points. One off of pavement from highway 144, where the west side of the ranch fronts for ~440'. The other entrance is located on the east side of the property on Bosque County Road No. 2730. Here the east side of the ranch fronts along CR 2730 and CR 2720 for approximately 3/4 of a mile. Both entrances have improved all weather roads leading into the property to the cabins. There's a good system of unimproved interior roads and trails providing good travel throughout. Boundary and interior cross fencing range in condition from excellent to poor. In the area where Hill Creek forms the north boundary, the property is unfenced. There's approximately 3,200' of high-fence along the south side of the ranch and all of the neighboring property on the opposite side of CR 2730 and CR 2720 is high fenced.
Easements: The ranch is not encumbered by large electric transmission line easements or access easements to neighboring properties. A gas pipeline easement does cross a small portion of the property for ~560' near the west ranch entrance with minimal impact.
Minerals: Minerals are negotiable. There is no production on the ranch.
Utilities: United Cooperative Services provides electrical service to the ranch.
Property Taxes: The property is under a Wildlife Tax Exemption and the annual property taxes for 2019 were approximately $4,029.37.
Price: $3,250,000 ($7,062.30 per acre)
Contact: Bret Polk, 254-965-0349 mobile
Broker & Commission Disclosure: Buyer's Agent/ Broker must be identified upon first contact with Listing Broker/ Listing Agent and Buyer's Agent/ Broker must be present at the initial property tour in order to participate in the real estate commission. Commission splits will be at the sole discretion of Hortenstine Ranch Company, LLC.
