After a leisurely drive along the winding and hilly country roads, you arrive at the entrance to one of the most distinct and beautiful properties in the Texas Hill Country. The diamond of this ranch has to be the Texas German style ranch house and its accompanying buildings. The house sits on the south facing hillside of the ranch overlooking a lush field of coastal bermuda grass that slopes down to the tree-lined banks of Simms Creek, which meanders across the property. On the other side of the creek the terrain slopes abruptly up a tree-covered hillside that provides sanctuary for the deer, turkeys and other wildlife that are native to the area. A tributary creek crosses this area and feeds into Simms Creek.

The beautiful and very unique ranch house was constructed in 1994 by the renowned designer, Tyler Beard and his wife Theresa and featured in numerous publications, including Architectural Digest and Country Home, just to name a couple. The thoughtful design and construction techniques cause it to appear to have been on the site for more than 100 years. Sixteen hundred tons of Texas limestone, mined from a ranch near Grandbury, Texas, was used in the construction of the 16” thick walls and solid stone floors of the residence. Massive hand-hewn timbers from a 150 year old barn were transformed into exposed ceiling beams throughout the house and other materials from the barn were used to create parts of the exterior & interior walls and cabinets.

As you enter the front gate through the massive rock fence that encloses the front yard, your eyes feast upon the stone-floored front porch that runs the entire length of the house. It is handsomely decorated with “period” furniture and fixtures that are in step with the 1800’s architectures after which this home was designed.

Entering the house through the massive solid weathered-wood door takes you back in time when the creative use of natural construction materials was at its best. The wonderful craftsmanship is evident throughout the house.

The spacious “gathering room” provides a great meeting place for families and friends as they sit in front of one of the 4 massive fireplaces that are in the house. This fireplace also has a grill and kettle-arm for cooking and is convenient to the old-style kitchen with an antique-looking electric cook stove, island and

porcelain sink. The front of the refrigerator is even covered with weathered wood that allows it to go unnoticed as another modern convenience in a not-so-modern looking home. There is even enough room for a sprawling handmade dining table and chairs.

The master bedroom is as spacious as the gathering room. It too has a massive fireplace and sitting area. Rustic cabinetry and an imposing king-size bed finish out the room.

The spaciousness doesn’t end there! The very original bathroom is enormous. It includes a “sunken” shower that could also double as a “sunken” tub, another smaller fireplace with a sitting area, antique style vanity and weathered wood closets.

A separate outside entrance provides complete privacy for the second bedroom suite. It also boasts a beautiful fireplace & full bath. The bed is constructed of massive peeled tree limbs. Another outside entrance stair accesses the “attic room”. This room would be ideal for a quiet office or game room. The central heating and cooling system is also housed in part of the attic, providing modern comforts to this old-style home.

As you walk along a “trellis-covered” path from the main house, to your right you pass by a garden area that is fully enclosed with natural cedar and wire. On your left there is rock water storage reservoir that has been converted to a storage room, a fire pit with seating areas, a windmill and a rock soaking pool that could also double as a fish pond. At the end of the walkway, you come to the “Bunkhouse” where there are three separate guest rooms. The first has a kitchenette, bathroom with shower, and bedroom with full-size bed. There are 2 sets of bunkbeds in the main room of this cabin. The second and third guest rooms each have a bed and individual baths. Each room has its own heating and cooling. These three guest areas open to a large wooden deck that runs between them and a full size in-ground swimming pool that is just right on those hot Texas summer days.

If you are in the mood to do a little outside work or keep livestock, there is a covered hay storage area and an open workshop area. There is also a rustic “Chicken House” that is constructed from local cedar and weathered lumber.

About a hundred yards or so from the house and nestled in the shade of some massive oak and pecan trees is the “Bootjack Dancehall”. This 2450 sq. ft. building provides hours of fun for large groups with its own bar, sitting area, pool table and other game tables. It also has a bandstand where the band of your choice can perform. This building is constructed along a similar theme, using recycled materials such as lumber for the floors, tin for the walls and roof, cedar posts for support beams and much more. It is truly a unique building. Outside and a comfortable distance away are “his” and “hers” outdoor bathrooms. You just have to see these to appreciate the use of various construction materials.

Much more could be said about this extraordinary ranch, such as its convenient road frontage, cedar rail fencing along the road, two water wells, three septic systems, buried utilities, good fences and more. It is ideally set up to entertain large groups. The manicured grounds provide multiple areas for outdoor enjoyment. The ranch is great for horseback riding and ATV fun.

Whether you want a great country retreat for your own family, a corporate retreat, a bed and breakfast “Dude Ranch” or a combination of them, this ranch must be considered. Bootjack Ranch is not for everyone, but for the right person, it is perfect!

*Additional acreage is available up to 212 acres total. See the other Bootjack Ranch listing on this site for more pictures.