Kendall County | Norco Ranch West | SE of Fredericksburg

SUMMARY

Norco Ranch West is a pristine river property located near the headwaters of the Blanco River, fronting on RM 1888 midway between Luckenbach and Blanco, and is just 20± minutes from the bustling town of Fredericksburg. Diverse natural features are abundant, including clean fields, towering ridges, lush hardwoods, and exquisite grottos. The river ownership includes almost a quarter mile of both sides of the clear flowing stream, which is lined with cypress, monster oak, and riparian vegetation. Small holes, riffles, falls, and even dinosaur tracks are features of this charming body of water.

DESCRIPTION

The Blanco River is fed by intermittent springs throughout its course and mostly has a beautiful, smooth limestone bed. Another spring-fed creek feeds a bass fishing lake that is 1 to 2± acres, which has never gone dry per the current owner, as well as an awesome grotto swimming hole that flows seasonally. This area is home to a blue heron rookery, which is known to indicate the presence of “permanent” water. The ranch is also home to huntable numbers of axis, whitetail, and turkey, along with Native American sites and flint quarries. The site itself is unimproved and is part of a larger ranch under a Conservation Easement. Ranching and recreational activities are permitted. One 5± acre residential area is allowed, and no further divisions of the 200± acres are permitted. A minimally invasive monopole electric line crosses a portion of the property. Other area ranches are restricted or under a Conservation Easement as well. The prized Lindendale area is well known as a haven for Conservation, and there are few small properties in the zone. The property is about a mile from the iconic Lindendale one-room schoolhouse.

LOCATION

Norco Ranch West is located about 20± miles southeast of downtown Fredericksburg, fronting paved RM 1888.

The ranch is about 12± miles from the US 290/Wine Corridor and Luckenbach, 14± miles from Blanco, 20± miles from Fredericksburg, 35± miles from Boerne, 64± miles from downtown Austin and downtown San Antonio, and 216± miles from Houston.

LAND

This incredibly diverse site features clean fields totaling 60± acres, with introduced and native grasses rolling down from RM 1888 to the Blanco River, backed by high, wooded hills offering distant views. Jeep roads provide access to most areas, with the high country being thick with shin oak and shrubs, and only limited cedar. There is a flint/chert quarry in the upper section of a canyon, and there are Native American sites throughout the property, including middens. A deep waterfall grotto with maidenhair ferns is spectacular, though seasonal, and a lake of 1 to 2± acres has never gone dry per the current owner, since its construction circa 1940. Hardwoods include cedar elm, Spanish oak, walnut, cherry, sycamore, heritage live oak, cypress, and a few pecan. Interestingly, the site is located within just a few miles of three river drainages, Blanco, Pedernales, and Guadalupe.

CONSERVATION EASEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

• Normal ranching/recreation activity permitted

• One 5-acre residential area allowed

• No further division allowed

• No hilltop homes visible from RM 1888

• No construction near the river

• Impervious cover is limited

IMPROVEMENTS

The land is unimproved, other than some perimeter fencing, cross fencing, and Jeep roads. Electricity is on site, and a water well is scheduled to be drilled.

WILDLIFE

Whitetail deer, axis deer, turkey, hawks, varmints, herons, and songbirds are all present on the site.

WATER

The Blanco River passes through the land for about a quarter mile, with ownership of both sides of the river, and an additional 1 to 2± acre lake that has never gone dry, per the current owner. A water well is scheduled to be drilled.