Near Fort Davis in Jeff Davis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Prude Ranch
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 3, 2014
1. Prude Ranch Marker
Andrew Prude purchased three sections of land here in 1897 from J.F. Taylor, and established the A.G. Prude Ranch. Soon he moved his wife Ora to a small log house on their property on Limpia Creek. In 1900 he completed a wooden frame house for their family, and in 1902 he added 1257 acres to the ranch. In 1911 a large 2-story ranch house was built of adobe bricks cast in a nearby stock tank, and was called the "Big House." By 1920 Andrew Prude had expanded his ranch to 40 sections of land.
In 1921 the Prudes started a guest ranch to share the beauty of the land and cool summer months with city dwellers. Early guests arrived on the Southern Pacific Railroad. When a severe drought and the Depression of the 1930s forced Andrew Prude to sell his cattle and most of his land, the Prudes decided to operate the guest ranch full time. Soon a new highway was built, and guests traveled here from many locales. New guest houses were built, and a coaching school and rodeo were added, followed by summer camps for boys and girls, and educational programs. The facilities have expanded over the years to accommodate a wide variety of activities. Prude Ranch continues to be a popular tourist destination.
Erected 1996 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 10485.)
Topics. This historical
this page online
Location. 30° 36.325′ N, 103° 56.92′ W. Marker is near Fort Davis, Texas, in Jeff Davis County. Marker is at the intersection of State Highway 118 and Prude Guest Ranch Road, on the right when traveling west on State Highway 118. Marker is located near the Prude Guest Ranch entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 Prude Guest Ranch Road, Fort Davis TX 79734, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Trueheart House (approx. 3 miles away); Fort Davis (approx. 3.2 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Davis (approx. 3.2 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Davis (approx. 3.3 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Davis (approx. 3.3 miles away); First Baptist Church of Fort Davis (approx. 3.3 miles away); Sick Call (approx. 3.3 miles away); The First Fort Davis (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Davis.
Also see . . . Our Rich Histry (sic). Website entry:
Grandmother Prude came to Fort Davis over 100 years ago, with her parents, in a covered wagon. The soldiers of Old Fort Davis had to protect them from Indians
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 3, 2014
2. Prude Ranch Marker (wide view; Prude Guest Ranch in background behind fence)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 3, 2014
3. Prude Guest Ranch Entrance (located beside marker)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 6, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 494 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 6, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
