V-8 Ranch
Nestled into a small, shallow valley created by a bend in the north fork of the double mountain fork of the Brazos River, the 1,500-acre V-8 Ranch contains the headquarters of the vast Ioa ranch, which was a 14 by 30-mile contiguous block of land covering most of the southern half of Lubbock County. The Ioa was established in 1884-1886, just as the free-range cattle industry collapsed due to drought and economic conditions.
Beginning in 1893, the process to sell the ranch's cattle began. Frank Wheelock, great nephew of principal stockholder Stillman Wheelock and later Lubbock's first mayor, also started selling the ranch's land, resulting in a series of lawsuits that culminated in a sheriff's sale and acquisition by H.L. Kokernot in 1901.
In 1914, George Boles, a well-known south plains rancher, bought 5,000 acres from the Kokernots. Boles owned the property until it was lost to foreclosure in 1935.
A 3,400-acre portion of the Boles property was acquired by Sam C. Arnett, Sr., and George Benson in 1939. Benson and Arnett were business partners in many ventures, including Citizen's National Bank, insurance and real estate investments, and a ford dealership. When they purchased this property, they renamed it V-8 ranch, in honor of the ford V-8 engine. As of 2017, the remaining acreage
this page online
Numerous buildings on the property, including the stucco
residence, are some of the oldest ranch structures in Lubbock
county. They may have been built by sheep herder Zach Williams in
1877, the Ioa company in the 1880S, or George Boles between 1914
and 1935. In spite of the ranch's close proximity to the city of
Lubbock, the V-8 ranch still reflects the south plains' vibrant
ranching history.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2017
Marker is property of the State of Texas
Erected 2017 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18590.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.
Location. 33° 31.843′ N, 101° 43.654′ W. Marker is near Buffalo Springs, Texas, in Lubbock County. Marker is on Farm to Market Road 835, 2.7 miles north of Highway 84, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lubbock TX 79404, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Ransom Canyon (approx. 2.6 miles away); Immanuel Lutheran Church (approx. 3.6 miles away); Lubbock Cotton Club (approx. 4.6 miles away); Breedlove Airport (approx.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2021, by Allen Lowrey of Amarillo, Texas. This page has been viewed 930 times since then and 152 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 14, 2021, by Allen Lowrey of Amarillo, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
