Spires Creek Ranch is a world all unto itself. An incredibly peaceful and protected setting on the banks of Rock Cliff Reservoir, Spires Creek, and the Medina River. “Huge live water” sums it up but is also paired with manicured grasslands, woodlands, impeccable cut limestone improvements, and an architecturally unique hanger and runway.
The ranch was improved by a Texas oilman and famous pilot in the 90’s from Houston, who spared no expense in developing the infrastructure, improvements, and enhancing the land, waters, habitat, and wildlife. This high-fenced ranch property has a paved road from the electric gate entrance that ties into a network of improved roads throughout the ranch. The central feature of the ranch is Rock Cliff Reservoir built 60 years ago in the lower reaches of Spires Creek ½ mile from its confluence with the Medina River. There is a secondary lake below the main reservoir that is supplied by water from Rock Cliff. The impressive dam and spillway are all on the ranch. Owners manage both reservoirs to maintain permit exemptions. The main reservoir is 25 feet deep at the dam and covers an impressive 65 acres. The lake is capable of expanding to cover 120 acres when full and 60 feet deep at the dam if the buyer chooses to obtain a state permit. The lake is filled with bass and catfish as is the smaller lake downstream. Waterbirds and ducks are regulars, as are the deer and turkey along its banks.
The paved road from the main entrance heads to an impressive Ranch Headquarters complex with the main house, guest house, and historic barn and shed. Manicured open pastures and hay meadows give way to a parklike grass oak savannah with rolling hills and tremendous views of the steep surrounding Bandera hills. Past the Headquarters is the Retro Architecturally-unique Airport that rivals any small FBO with offices, a kitchen, dining, a meeting room, hanger, and a shop. An elevated viewing area allows such an amazing view of the airstrip that past owners would have airshows and fly vintage planes. The Spirit of Lindbergh was a feature article in 2002 on the Spires Creek Ranch airport and was described as “Recapturing the Allure of America’s Golden Age of Aviation”.
The rolling savannah with its century-old giant Live Oaks gives way to the riparian forests and hollows along Spires Creek and the Medina River. Spires Creek is cypress tree-lined below the dam along with some of the largest live oaks and cedar elms in the county. The Medina River below is an ancient cathedral of cypress trees mixed with willow and sycamore in a lush gallery forest of native vegetation. Crystal clear waters of the Medina are a combination of deeper pools and riffles out of sight of neighboring improvements.
