| What is it? |
The ruins of Rancho Estelle are the remains of the headquarters of Big Bend rancher, James Sublett! |
| What makes it historical? |
James L. Sublett came to the Big Bend area in 1914, hired on by Clyde Buttrill to manage Mr. Buttrill’s farm along the Rio Grande. Because Mr. Buttrill set such high production standards for his wheat, corn, and alfalfa, Mr. Sublett introduced the area’s first irrigation system and wheat threshing machine! He also ran the store that came to be known as the Castolon Store, turning full partner with Mr. Buttrill in 1916!
After the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution, Mr. Buttrill checked out and sold his land holdings. Mr. Sublett stuck around, though, and set up a new partnership called the Grand Canyon Company with Albert Dorgan, who had arrived on military assignment! Mr. Dorgan would later become a major advocate for making the Big Bend into an international park! Today, the frames of the Sublett farm house and Dorgan hilltop home are still standing as reminders of their hard work! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? |
HERE’S HOW:
- Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
- Volunteer at Big Bend National Park!
- Become a member of the Big Bend Conservancy!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
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| Where is this place? |
The trailhead is on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, 27.8 miles south of Panther Junction Road in Big Bend National Park!
From Austin: ~503mi (810km) — 8.4hrs
From Dallas: ~601mi (968km) — 10.1hrs
From El Paso: ~317mi (511km) — 5.3hrs
From Houston: ~630mi (1014km) — 10.5hrs |
| When should I go? |
Visit whenever the mood strikes you, but the best times of year will be in the spring and fall when the temperatures are lower, and the flowers are more plentiful! |
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