More than a century ago, a Texas couple built a homestead in Central Texas and the family cared for the land for decades More than a century ago, a Texas couple built a homestead in Central Texas and the family cared for the land for decades In 2025, Texas wildlife officials began purchasing the land and developing it into Post Oak Ridge State Park In 2025, Texas wildlife officials began purchasing the land and developing it into Post Oak Ridge State Park "The park is rugged and primitive, with a unique sound environment," said superintendent Kacey Sloan "The park is rugged and primitive, with a unique sound environment," said superintendent Kacey Sloan More than a century after a pioneering Texas couple settled along the Colorado River and built a life there by hand, their sprawling ranch, cared for by generations of family members, is now part of a 3,100-acre state park. In 1889, John Fletcher and Mattie Lou Vann settled on a plot of land in what is now the northwest corner of Burnet County, about 10 miles upstream from Lake Buchanan, according to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD). The environment featured spectacular vistas, multiple springs, rugged canyons, rolling hills and wide-open fields for ranching. It also had a considerable population of native wildlife, including post oak trees and whitetail deer. The couple went on to make a home for themselves, their seven children and their descendants. Over the course of more than a century, the Vann family continued to ranch, chop cedar and open a popular fish camp on the land. Post Oak Ridge State Park in Central Texas. Credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife

However, in January 2025, the TPWD acquired the 2,020-acre ranch from Vann family descendants. A few months later, the department announced it had acquired an additional 1,100 acres of adjacent land. Together, they would be combined to create the brand-new 3,100-acre Post Oak Ridge State Park. The effort was made possible through the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, a $1 billion measure approved by voters in 2023 to create a dedicated funding stream for acquiring and developing state parks. In accordance with TPWD policy, newly acquired parklands must open for limited public use within 18 months and full public use within 48 months. In March, My San Antonio reported construction officially began on the park, which spans both Burnet and Lampasas counties in Central Texas. Filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation obtained by the outlet revealed plans for trash removal, the demolition of minor structures and the paving of gravel park roads and crushed stone trails. Signage for Post Oak Ridge State Park in Central Texas Credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife During the first 12 months after acquisition, TPWD facilitated guided access through the park, including guided hikes, educational classes and burn ecology education. In September, TPWD announced Post Oak Ridge State Park would open for public day use on Sept. 24. "We are excited to have visitors start traveling to Post Oak Ridge State Park and seeing what makes this area so special," Park Superintendent Kacey Sloan said in a press release . "The park is rugged and primitive, with a unique sound environment. There aren't human made sounds. It is one of those rare places where you can escape urban noise and relax." Development for Texas' 91st state park remains ongoing. The park still lacks common amenities, like access to drinking water, cell service and a headquarters. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "A lot of people don't realize what it takes because if it's done well, you'll never see it, but you're building a small city," Sloan told local outlet KXXV . She added that future plans call for RV sites, primitive camping, more trails and eventually river access. The goal is to have those major amenities added by 2029. Read the original article on People