The historic EAST FORKER-GAGE RANCH is one of the oldest and one of the most historic large ranches in Texas, truly a legendary property in the majestic Big Bend area. This East Forker-Gage Ranch in Brewster County is part of the A. S. Gage ranching empire that dates back to 1883, and is the eastern most part of the giant empire. At the time of his death in 1928, Gage had built a ranch of 503,000 acres of land that supported an operation of 10,000 head of cattle. The impressive property extended along the Southern Pacific railroad from east of Marathon, Texas, almost to Marfa, Texas. Impressive scenery includes majestic Housetop Mountains to the east, Santiago Range to the southwest and unique formations of Twin Peaks and Horse Mountain. The San Francisco Creek, Negro Creek and China Draw flow through the ranch plus there are mountain springs and four wells. The ranch is divided into several pastures and traps for cattle operations, plus is a haven for native wildlife including Trophy desert mule deer, elk, javelina, blue quail, dove and mountain lions and others. There is approximately 8,000± acres of State Classified Minerals, which will transfer to new surface owner Far reaching vistas present incredible views in all directions. The vastness of the ranch is enhanced by imposing views of Twin Peaks and Horse Mountain to the West, and the impressive Housetop Mountains to the East. This ranch offers a wide variety of recreational pursuits year around, including Trophy mule deer hunting and Blue Quail hunting, bird watching, hiking and searching for Indian artifacts along the creek bottoms and flats.
Topography: Rolling hills and canyons, with elevations up to 4,300± feet. Impressive scenery includes the majestic Housetop Mountains to the east, the Santiago Range to the southwest and unique formations of Twin Peaks and Horse Mountain. The ranch is just north of Big Bend National Park, whose entrance is off Hwy. 385, south of Hwy. 90.
Improvements The ranch is divided into several pastures and traps for cattle operations. The ranch includes two sets of pens and four water wells.
Water: The San Francisco Creek, China Draw Creek and Negro Creek run through the ranch and support abundant cottonwoods. These creeks normally contain live water. Additionally there are two mountain springs, which are believed to have never gone dry. There are also 4 shallow water wells.
Vegetation: The area of West Texas known as the Trans Pecos wildlife district is the only area of Texas where mountain and desert habitats are both found. This unique Trans Pecos area combination of mountain and desert habitats contributes to the tremendous vegetation diversity in the region, which includes a wide range of grass species and a large variety of native brush and cacti indiginous to the area.
Wildlife: Wildlife of the defined Trans-Peco area includes Trophy mule deer, occasional elk, javelina, Blue Quail, dove, and mountain lions plus many others. The Trans-Pecos is also known as a route for migratory birds to Central and South America.
Minerals:There are 5,000± acres of State Classified Minerals, which will transfer to new surface owner.
Taxes: $6,000. ± Agricultural exemption.
Location: The ranch is located 14± miles east of Marathon and south of Hwy 90. It is north of Big Bend National Park. AIRPORT: Alpine-Casparis Municipal Airport , is located NW of Alpine, and is 33± miles northwest of Marathon. It has a 4,514’ runway.
