The area in South Central Texas known as Washington on the Brazos is arguably one of the most historic areas in the entire state. It is officially recognized as the birthplace of Texas because it was at this location in March of 1836 Texas delegates met to formally announce that Texas would be separating from Mexico and draft their own constitution, becoming the Republic of Texas. Washington was originally the county seat of Washington County; however, it was relocated to Brenham in 1844.
View Estancia on the Brazos listing on Lands of America
In recent years, this specific area has become one of the most popular destinations in the state for weekend travelers, visitors to the well-known Round Top, and recreational ranchers seeking beautiful views and good land within an easy drive time from both Houston and Austin. Just outside the towns of Washington and Navasota, Estancia On The Brazos is without a doubt one of the most breathtaking ranches in all of Washington County. This property is truly one of a kind.
The ranch has long views of the Brazos River and surrounding countryside with a combination of rolling pastureland and heavily-treed areas for wildlife habitat. The elevation on the property ranges from 320± feet above sea level at the highest point on the southern end of the ranch, to the lowest point of the property, 180 to 170± feet above sea level on the northern border of the property along the banks of the Brazos.
Upon driving through the main gate, there is a well-maintained blacktop road that continues to the three residences on the property. The main residence is truly one of a kind. Built by John Sebastian in 2009–2011 and designed by Chris Carson of Ford, Powell & Carson, this home is a perfect blend of Southwestern and California ranch architectural style with phenomenal attention to details and finishes. The home is stone and stucco with a clay tile roof, and it is situated high on a hilltop taking in the views of the Brazos River Valley and capturing the beauty and shade of the surrounding live oak tree canopy. The home features a master suite, four guest rooms, five bathrooms, two wine cellars with a dining area, a library, multiple living and dining areas, outdoor kitchen, numerous outdoor porches and patios, and a beautiful pool capturing the grand views of the pasture, Brazos River, and surrounding countryside.
The second home on the property (the original owner’s house) was built in 1999. It is a board and batten, dogtrot-style home with metal roof, one bedroom, and a large loft/bunkroom, and it overlooks the largest lake on the property. The 3,500± square-foot third home was built by Texas Country Cottages in 2012, with three bedrooms, a large open living area/kitchen with a Texas-sized fireplace/hearth, and two large porches, front and back.
A very functional and well-built barn with workshop and bathroom is centrally located on the property and has plenty of storage space for all the needed farm vehicles and implement storage, as well as hay storage. There is a nice set of working pens next to the barn.
A 1.3-mile, crushed granite walking trail circulates through the area around the main house and lake. Raised, stone bed gardens are irrigated and have a beautiful English-styled greenhouse with sitting area under an arbor. The property has good perimeter and cross fencing, with a portion of the ranch (40 acres) high fenced for a variety of exotic wildlife including oryx, fallow and axis deer, Siberian sheep, and gemsbok. Outside the high fence are buffalo, cattle, horses, and traditional Texas wildlife—whitetail deer, turkey, hogs, bobcats, and coyotes.
The water on this property is exceptional. There are several impressive water features on the property including multiple lakes, several water wells, and one mile of frontage on the Brazos River. The largest body of water on the property is the lake south of the cabin which is five± acres in size. There are four to five stock tanks/ponds and lakes on the property. A water feature has been constructed in the northeastern portion of the property as a duck habitat for waterfowl hunting. A waterline from one of the water wells is used to control the water level of this body of water at different times of the year to allow growth of vegetation and more surface water when needed during waterfowl hunting seasons. There are two additional draws or tributaries that flow through the ranch toward the Brazos River.
View Estancia on the Brazos listing on Lands of America