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Rio Cibolo Ranch History

The “Rio Cibolo Ranch” is a working Longhorn cattle Ranch and Pecan Orchard located just 25 minutes northeast of downtown San Antonio. The Ranch is situated about a mile south of Interstate 10 and along the route the Spanish Conquistadors took as they made westward during the sixteenth century. This route was later designated “The Old Spanish Trail” and stretches from Florida to California. This Trail was also used by the early pioneers before the days of the Texas Revolution. These same Spaniards had their first encounter with a strange-looking animal they gave the name “Cibolo”. Today, we call this animal the “Buffalo” The river that runs through the Ranch was also named Cibolo, thus the name of the Ranch. Prior to the settlement of the area by the pioneers from Spain and Germany, the land was inhabited by Apache and Comanche Indians. The Indians’ mainstay was the buffalo that numbered in the thousands and was necessary for their survival, providing food, clothing, and shelter.

The “Rio Cibolo Ranch” is a working Longhorn cattle Ranch and Pecan Orchard located 25 minutes northeast of downtown San Antonio.

The Spaniards made major contributions to the development of this new land. Two of the most important were the introduction of cattle and horses. The horses provided a new means of transportation for the Indians as well as the early settlers. The cattle were called Longhorns and were a very hardy breed. They multiplied so rapidly they became wild. The Longhorn were the mainstay of early Texas ranchers. Many of these ranchers were what we call cowboys. These “Cowboys” rounded up the cattle and drove them through the desert, across uncharted rivers and over mountains to the markets in Kansas and Nebraska. There are no more cattle drives, but there are still plenty of Cowboys — just look around.

Just across the road from the plantation house is a private airfield know to the locals as Zuehl International Airport where people are "Just Plane Crazy" and is actually the home of some well-known stunt flyers. Some years ago a movie, “The Great Waldo Pepper” starring Robert Redford, was filmed on this site. The community of Zuehl is still alive and supports one tavern, a renowned pottist, and two nine-pin bowling societies established in the late 1800's.

In 1864, Carl Christian Zuehl, an immigrant from Prussia (Germany) settled near the Ranch and established a community that bears his name. Before the turn of the century, Zuehl was a thriving cotton town with two cotton gins. The Main Street was called Gin Road with a gin at each end. This is the road to the Ranch and runs by the original plantation house which was built in the German (gingerbread) style. The house is still standing in good condition and can be seen on the south side of Gin Road as you approach the Ranch.

The Ranch has set aside an area along the river for Western-Style Entertainment for groups wishing to celebrate an event in the surroundings of horses, cattle, wild game, wide open pastures interrupted only by three miles of winding river and century-old pecan trees — not to mention a host of fun-loving people! A 20,000 square foot, all-weather pavilion we call the “R.C.R. Corral” can accommodate from 100 to 2,000 guests with plenty of room to dance and a Texas-size stage for a band or a show. The Lazy Lily River House accommodates smaller groups from 50-200 guests. There are numerous outdoor activities such as a hay wagon ride, a barge ride on the river where you will surely see our Longhorn cattle and possibly wild deer, turkey and our resident blue heron. Two huge fire pits are a popular hang out where a hind quarter might be cooking on an open spigot or marshmallows roasting or guests enjoying some of our famous trail driver chili served from the Dutch kettle. Fun and games might include our Cowboy Olympics, a pig scramble, armadillo races, a cow-chip toss or any number of pre-planned activities. When the Wranglers get hungry, we’ll pile their plates with mesquite smoked beef, pork, chicken, beans, salad or all sorts, homemade breads and condiments galore. For the sweet tooth, how about some fresh baked pies, cakes and cobblers? Please see our bill of fare for the menu, appetizers, dessert and drink suggestions. “The Rio Cibolo Ranch” and the surrounding area is steeped in early American History and Tradition. The Ranch was home to several Indian Tribes for centuries and in the past two hundred years, there have been six flags fly over this land. First came the Spanish, then the French, the Spanish conquered the French, the Mexicans drove out the Spaniards, the Texans defeated the Mexicans, the U.S. annexed Texas, then Texas became part of the Confederacy and finally, after the Civil War, Texas was back in the fold of the United States. Most importantly, Rio Cibolo Ranch specializes in providing western-style entertainment and Texas hospitality for any special event. Your visit to the Rio Cibolo Ranch, “...a little bit of Texas”, will engulf you in the history and excitement of all these dominate forces. It will be a visit you will remember for a lifetime.