When the state park was a private ranch owned by Walter Buck, this log crib barn was built for shearing of the sheep and goats he had. Although this barn is usually locked up for preservation, the initials of some of the shearers can be seen on the white oak logs.
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| looking in through a gap in the logs |
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| Desert Christmas Cholla |
The above barn is also near Lora's bird blind. So it's easy to spend a couple of hours in this spot.
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| This Thomas family cemetery is near park headquarters -- Walter Buck bought the ranch from Sid Thomas |
Walter Buck built the large goat shed and other outbuildings, including a tack storage and milkhouse. The goat shed was also used as a shelter in bad weather and as a place for the goats to have their kids.
Buck stocked the land with about 450 goats, 450 sheep, and about 20 head of cattle. In 1933, when providing for his mom after the death of his father fell to him, Walter sold all sheep. Several years later he sold all his goats and increased his herd of cattle to 125.
If you ever spend time at South Llano River State Park, visits to these wonderful old barns are a must.
Sid, Mary, and Pepper
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