Near Abilene in Taylor County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Fletcher Ranch
Photographed By Duane Hall, September 29, 2014
1. Fletcher Ranch Marker
In 1878 James Robert Fletcher, his wife, and son Lorenzo Thomas (1868-1939) came here from Granbury. Their caravan included a small herd of cattle and work animals. A carpenter came to construct a two-story ranch house. Fletcher filed for a patent on this land because of the nearby spring-fed creek, large trees for wood, coves for animal protection and ample grass.The first spring Fletcher planted sorghum for his cattle, making this one of the first cultivated areas in the county. He shipped Merino sheep from California and made an unsuccessful attempt at raising the first sheep on a large scale in the area.
Lorezo (“Lo”) walked to school at Buffalo Gap and later to Buffalo Gap Presbyterian College, marking a trail with buffalo skulls which could be seen by moonlight. After his father died in 1886, Lorenzo took over the ranch operations. In 1889 he married Lula May Cummings whom he met at Buffalo Gap College. They had three children. Their daughters have developed the Lytle Cove land into a wildlife refuge for birds, deer, and wild turkey. This ranch is recognized as the oldest property in Taylor County still
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Erected 1979 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1916.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Environment • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.
Location. 32° 16.739′ N, 99° 41.465′ W. Marker is near Abilene, Texas, in Taylor County. Marker is on Old Coleman Highway (County Road 120) 0.4 miles south of County Road 119, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1448 County Road 120, Abilene TX 79602, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Taylor County (approx. 4 miles away); Cedar Gap Community (approx. 4.3 miles away); First Exploratory Oil Well in Taylor County (approx. 5˝ miles away); First Anglican Church Service in the Callahan Area (approx. 5.8 miles away); Alexander Charles Garrett Memorial (approx. 5.8 miles away); Vicinity of Indian Fight (approx. 7.9 miles away); Town of Buffalo Gap (approx. 7.9 miles away); Buffalo Gap College (approx. 7.9 miles away).
Photographed By Duane Hall, September 29, 2014
2. Fletcher Ranch Marker
Photographed By Duane Hall, September 29, 2014
3. View to South Along Old Coleman Highway
Photographed By Duane Hall, September 29, 2014
4. View to North Along Old Coleman Highway
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 475 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 7, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.
