A MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER

Today, several hundred parcels of different owners comprise the original boundaries of the Morris Ranch. My goal by reincorporating the Morris Ranch is to preserve the history of this amazing story and to raise awareness for the importance of land fragmentation and conservation.

Answering an ad in the paper for a hunting lease, my great-grandfather first came to Fredericksburg in 1928 from South Texas in search of new country. He quickly fell in love with the land and the people for their honesty, hospitality, and persistence. Over the next several decades, he would amass over 10,000 acres of land in the Fredericksburg area, some of which comprised major pastures of the Morris Ranch.

My grandmother continued her father’s path in purchasing additional acreage and culminating the family’s Morris Ranch holdings with the 1977 purchase of the Morris Ranch Schoolhouse. In a state of disrepair, she tirelessly restored and renovated the building, making it into her residence. The Schoolhouse soon became the headquarters for our Heard Ranch operations.
Growing up living on these lands and buildings, I was unaware of the totality of the story of Morris Ranch. With time, the voices that told the story have almost all faded away, the land grew over, hiding the sign of the plow, and many buildings have been razed to rubble. Uncovering the history, I became insatiably obsessed and am devoted to preserving the voices and stories of those who lived in the days of the original Morris Ranch. I invite you to check out my series called ‘In the Life’ to learn more about the history of Morris Ranch.