History of the Ranch

19th Century
Peter Gallagher, an Irish immigrant and civil engineer, was commissioned in 1833 by Mexican president Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna to establish a military supply depot. Gallagher chose a location on San Geronimo Creek in northeastern Medina County.

While the legend is unclear regarding what transpired at Gallagher Ranch during the next 17 years, it is known that in 1841 Gallagher left as the diarist of the ill-fated Texan Santa Fe expedition. He was among those captured and taken to Mexico City as a prisoner. It is also known that he ran a freight line between San Antonio and Chihuahua and was active in the early days of Fort Stockton.

Gallagher apparently liked what he saw in the ranch because he acquired it in 1850 and a small community subsequently grew up around it. Medina County's ninth post office was opened at the ranch community in 1877, with Mrs. Julia Gallagher as postmistress. At its peak in 1884 there was a school district, a hotel, two churches, and fifty inhabitants.

Surprisingly a scant 12 years later all that remained of the community was a general store and the post office (which was discontinued in 1909). Years before the white settlers had occasionally skirmished with the native inhabitants. However, the demise of the community likely had more to do with the fact that the railroad had passed them by. Gallagher also maintained a home in San Antonio which adjoined the Alamo. The state purchased it in 1936 and tore it down to complete the Alamo garden.

20th Century
So the old West passed and a new pioneer become the custodian of Gallagher Ranch.

In the roaring 20's the Gallagher Ranch was acquired by Vachel and Amy Shelton McNutt, a pioneering and rugged husband and wife team of “wildcatters” famous for having discovered the first potash deposits in the Western Hemisphere. Legend has it that a close friend of Mama Mac (as Amy later became known) pointed out that “Texas has everything the West has except a dude ranch”. The rest, as it's said, is history.

In the years that followed, Mama Mac grew the Gallagher Ranch into a renowned destination. The Ranch would be host to the likes of Princess Grace and Prince Ranier of Monaco, author H.G. Wells, actor and director Orson Welles, operatic soprano Lilly Pons, and a who's who list of dignitaries, celebrities, astronauts, governors, and senators.

21st Century
As the 21st century dawns, once again the custodianship of the land has passed. That mantle is now borne by Christopher Hill and his family. Says Hill, “To quote the Chinese, ‘The land is the host and humans merely guests.’ Our family is truly committed to the restoration and preservation of this land.”

Hill's words are not hollow. The Hill family has dedicated a 731-acre easement on the ranch to The Nature Conservancy of Texas. The land around Government Canyon will serve to protect golden-cheeked warblers and other endangered species. The easement will also protect a portion of the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone. Additionally, 200 acres that went for right of way when Texas 211 was extended, will be maintained says Hill, as a “perpetual greenbelt.”

The restoration of the house will be a “labor of love” for Chris, a San Antonio architect. “We want to make the house alive again,” says Chris. “We're going to leave it as rustic as conceivable.” With Gallagher Ranch now under the firm but gentle hands of Chris and family, one can not help but believe that its future and its return to greatness is all but ensured for this century.