Our History
The Rio Cibolo Ranch and the surrounding area are steeped in early American history and tradition.
Our land has been home to several Native American tribes, including Apaches and Comanches. They survived because of the thousands of buffalo that provided food, clothing and shelter for them.
Your entertainment ranch since 1987
Since 1987, Marjie and Henry Christopher have owned and operated the 130-acre Rio Cibolo Ranch, founded to provide entertaining and catering for group events. The ranch amenities include Cibolo Orchard, Creekside Garden and Lily Gardens. The gardens were developed with Marjie’s expertise and include herbs, edible plants, and fruit trees. Her love of cooking led to the development of the Ranch’s “A Little Bit of Texas Cooking School,” located on the banks of the Cibolo. Margie has authored two cookbooks, “A Little Bit of Texas Cooking” and “Texas Pecans: The Whole Story, Bits and Pieces.”
THE OLD SPANISH TRAIL
The ranch is east of San Antonio and a mile south of Interstate 10 and is along the route that Spanish Conquistadors rode as they moved westward in the 1500s. This route was later designated the Old Spanish Trail in 1915, an automobile highway stretching from Florida to California and being centered in San Antonio.
THE ZUEHL COMMUNITY
In 1864, Carl Christian Zuehl, an immigrant from Prussia (Germany), settled near the Ranch and established a community that bears his name. Zuehl was a thriving cotton town with two cotton gins in the late 1800s. The main street was called Gin Road, with a gin at each end. The road leads to the Ranch and runs by the original plantation house that was built in the German gingerbread style. The house is still in good condition and can be seen on the south side of Gin Road as you approach the ranch
In 1864, Carl Christian Zuehl, an immigrant from Prussia (Germany), settled near the Ranch and established a community that bears his name. Zuehl was a thriving cotton town with two cotton gins in the late 1800s. The main street was called Gin Road, with a gin at each end. The road leads to the Ranch and runs by the original plantation house that was built in the German gingerbread style. The house is still in good condition and can be seen on the south side of Gin Road as you approach the ranch. Today, Zuehl has a tavern, a renowned pottery maker and two 9-pin bowling societies. The Ranch has revived the historic Zuehl’s Hall, our newest facility.
JEWEL OF THE RANCH
Cibolo is the Spanish word for buffalo and the waterway flowing through the ranch was also named Cibolo, thus the name of the ranch is Rio Cibolo. Cibolo Creek is an essential feature of the ranch, providing water for fish, wildlife, birds and recreational activities. Lush native vegetation grows along the creek banks, providing welcome shade in summer. Our century old Pecan Orchard offers a stunning backdrop for the ranch.
JUST PLANE CRAZY
The ranch is east of San Antonio and a mile south of Interstate 10 and is along the route that Spanish Conquistadors rode as they moved westward in the 1500s. This route was later designated the Old Spanish Trail in 1915, an automobile highway stretching from Florida to California and being centered in San Antonio.
COWBOYS AND CATTLE
Our legacy as a working Longhorn ranch has deep roots. The Spaniards introduced cattle and horses to the area in the 18th century. The horses served as a new means of transportation for the Native Americans and 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 whom were cowboys. The cowboys rounded up the cattle and drove them across uncharted rivers and over mountains to the markets in Kansas and Nebraska. The Ranch often holds rodeo events in keeping with our cowboy tradition.
