George Ranch Historical Park
Independence Trail Region
The history of the George Ranch begins in 1824, when Henry Jones began farming and raising cattle on land received as part of Stephen F. Austin’s colony. Until the Civil War, herds were often driven eastward to markets in New Orleans. The family business continued to grow throughout the cattle boom years of 1870s and 1880s, and diversified in later years with the discovery of oil and gas on the property. Today the George Ranch Historical Park preserves this family homestead and allows visitors to explore a working ranch through lively living history programs.