HISTORY OF THE ROGERS-WISEMAN RANCH
2,828.97 acres of wild untamed land. That was the total size of the Rogers-Wiseman Ranch at its zenith. Family history says a Wisconsin real estate mogul met up wit a horse-tradin' Kentucky colonel who owned some tracts of land in Texas and the rest is, well, history. In December 1887 D.G. Rogers and Colonel Frank P. Hord made a deal. For $75,000 in cash 500-head of cattle, three ranch houses, and a racehorse named "Texas". D.G. traded his 150-room Townsend House Resort outside Milwaukee for "certain lands, situated, lying and being in the County of Bexar, Texas." D.G. later added another 52 acres to his new Texas digs and put his son, Henry in charge.
D.G. had hoped to create a dairy farm, using full-blooded Jersy cows. Unfortunately, the Jerseys proved to be unsuitable for Texas. Same could have been said for Henry who was spending most of his time and money in town. D.G. decided to try breeding Dapple Grey Percheron horses, and sent a shipment to Henry. Henry loved the horses; he could sell them and pay off his debts a whole lot easier than the cattle. It was said there was at least one Dapple Grey Percheron in front of every saloon in San Antonio.
In 1901, Henry married local San Antonian Mary Feldtmann, now known as "Aunt Mary" Their only child a daughter named Blanche was born on the ranch in 1903 and lived our her entire 79 years here. The next twenty-five years were hard on the family. Shortly after Blanche's birth D.G. died and the ranch was left solely to Blanche with provisions made for her parents. Henry kept working the ranch until he died in 1929. At the same time, the Great Depression hit and forced Aunt Mary to lease out most of her land, except for 100-plus acres where she and Blanche lived and farmed.
In 1933, a young cowboy from LaVernia Texas named Ed Wiseman came to the ranch looking for a job. Well one thing led to another and the next year, Ed and Blanche were married. Through the generations, the Rogers-Wiseman Ranch came to be known as "Papa Ed's" ranch.
Family gatherings continued at the ranch until 1990, when 300 acres were sold to develop the Hyatt Regency Hill Country. The ranch was always a place where the Rogers and Wiseman families would gather for holidays and celebrations. Today, we continue those traditions of family, hospitality, and belonging.
A place as enjoyable for new guests as it was for those of times past, a careful blend of old and new. So remember as you walk through our lobby, you're on the path that once led to the family ranch house. When you stand on the driving range, you're on the site of the original homestead. Should the faint outline of a wagon pulled by mules, give a wave, our past generation would appreciate knowing folks are still enjoying their ranch.
D.G. had hoped to create a dairy farm, using full-blooded Jersy cows. Unfortunately, the Jerseys proved to be unsuitable for Texas. Same could have been said for Henry who was spending most of his time and money in town. D.G. decided to try breeding Dapple Grey Percheron horses, and sent a shipment to Henry. Henry loved the horses; he could sell them and pay off his debts a whole lot easier than the cattle. It was said there was at least one Dapple Grey Percheron in front of every saloon in San Antonio.
In 1901, Henry married local San Antonian Mary Feldtmann, now known as "Aunt Mary" Their only child a daughter named Blanche was born on the ranch in 1903 and lived our her entire 79 years here. The next twenty-five years were hard on the family. Shortly after Blanche's birth D.G. died and the ranch was left solely to Blanche with provisions made for her parents. Henry kept working the ranch until he died in 1929. At the same time, the Great Depression hit and forced Aunt Mary to lease out most of her land, except for 100-plus acres where she and Blanche lived and farmed.
In 1933, a young cowboy from LaVernia Texas named Ed Wiseman came to the ranch looking for a job. Well one thing led to another and the next year, Ed and Blanche were married. Through the generations, the Rogers-Wiseman Ranch came to be known as "Papa Ed's" ranch.
Family gatherings continued at the ranch until 1990, when 300 acres were sold to develop the Hyatt Regency Hill Country. The ranch was always a place where the Rogers and Wiseman families would gather for holidays and celebrations. Today, we continue those traditions of family, hospitality, and belonging.
A place as enjoyable for new guests as it was for those of times past, a careful blend of old and new. So remember as you walk through our lobby, you're on the path that once led to the family ranch house. When you stand on the driving range, you're on the site of the original homestead. Should the faint outline of a wagon pulled by mules, give a wave, our past generation would appreciate knowing folks are still enjoying their ranch.