TOUR DESCRIPTION

A day at the George Ranch celebrates Texas’ heritage. This living history museum brings the sights, sounds and colors of 100 years of Texas history to life as guests take an active role in the daily operation of a 23,000-acre working cattle ranch. Costumed guides depicting characters from the 1890's and 1930’s interact with your group putting on demonstrations and skits and leading tours of various restored homes.

The tour begins at the Visitor’s Center with an orientation video, gallery exhibits and a chance to browse through the unique handcrafted and reproduction gift items available for purchase at the Dry Creek General Store.

Get to know the four generations who triumphed and struggled as they fought to make this Texas ranch succeed. Grind corn, spin cotton and tend livestock with some of Stephen F. Austin’s first colonists at the 1830’s Jones Stock Farm. Wander through a pioneer dogtrot cabin and barn as you come face-to-face with ranch life in the early 19th century.

Blacksmithing, hands-on roping, mock branding and campfire cooking demonstrations give guests a peek at ranch life in the Victorian era. Tour J.H.P. Davis and his wife, Belle’s, elegant Victorian mansion complete with servants’ quarters, carriage house, green house and grape arbor.

The Great Depression was difficult for all. Tour Mamie and A.P. George’s ranch house along with the cistern house, cookhouse and smokehouse to see how the family persevered in this time of need. Watch cowboys ride, rope and work cattle around the original dipping vat, pens, tack barn and horse barn. Watch ranch cowboys demonstrate some of the chores that were a part of life in the 1930's.