Rancho San Francisco
Located along the Rio Grande, Rancho San Francisco is a 5-acre ranching site featuring two historic fortified sandstone buildings dating back to the mid-to-late 19th century.
The larger structure, circa 1850, showcases the region's tumultuous past, when Native American conflicts were prevalent. Its thick walls and absence of windows are testament to its defensive design, which includes ten gun ports. These strategically placed openings allowed occupants to fire black-powder firearms while remaining relatively safe inside.
The second building, constructed in 1874, retains remnants of its original hipped roof with wooden shingles. Rancho San Francisco holds significant importance for understanding and interpreting Hispanic ranching traditions that originated in Mexico and influenced those in Texas. Remarkably, the majority of its original materials remain intact.
The ranch's rural, wooded setting along the Rio Grande evokes the era of an untamed and isolated frontier. Although the site's condition is currently stable, long-term protective stabilization is necessary to ensure its future preservation and interpretation.
LOCATION: Near San Ygnacio, along the banks of the Rio Grande (Zapata County)
DESIGNATION: NRHP
STATUS: Endangered
RESOURCE TYPE: Cultural Landscape
YEAR LISTED: 2005
