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Share Your Ranching Stories #MyRanchLife

July 10, 2017

 

Since we debuted Cowboys of the Waggoner Ranch in 2015, we’ve gotten to hear from hundreds of people about life on America’s ranches. From the 23,000 Facebook fans who share their stories with us to our active Twitter community, we love waking up every day and hearing about what’s going on in your neck of the woods.

That’s why we’re inviting you to share your stories with us using the hashtag #MyRanchLife. Whether you follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter, share your story using #MyRanchLife for the chance to be featured on our page and connect with other people enjoying ranch life.

Cowboys of the Waggoner Ranch wants to hear from you #MyRanchLife

The ranching way of life is important, and we want to preserve and celebrate it whenever we can. From your morning cup of coffee to cattle drives, show us what your ranch life looks like. We can’t wait to hear from you!

 

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Happy Independence Day!

July 3, 2017

“Being a life long Texan (and you’ll understand this if you’re one too), I have seen more than my fair share of ‘The Cowboy Life’ portrayed in the worst way by some slick New York or Los Angeles artist/producer/photographer/journalist… In my travels, it never fails, that I am presented with some misconceived and ill informed lore of how Texas, Cowboys, and country life if portrayed elsewhere. So when I heard about this book – I was naturally skeptical, and fully expected some mockery and over zealous portrayal of country bumpkins, akin to another horrible Woody Harrelson and Kiefer Sutherland performance.. I was horribly, horribly WRONG.”  –Amazon book review, (May 7, 2016)

Cowboys of the Waggoner Ranch is made in Texas by Texans

This Independence Day, we’re celebrating the 26 cowboys on the Waggoner Ranch. These men are American icons, carrying on a way of life that is older than Texas. We’re honored to preserve this piece of American history and celebrate the integrity and independence they represent.

The Waggoner Ranch was founded in 1849 by Dan Waggoner. He and his son, W.T. Waggoner, steadily grew the ranch. Now, it is the largest ranch under one fence in the United States. With its long history and legendary stories (Theodore Roosevelt was a regular guest on the ranch!), it is truly an American treasure.

“The land on the Waggoner is special, but it’s the cowboys who make it a special place.” –Jeremy Enlow

 

 

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The Largest Ranch Under One Fence

June 26, 2017

Over on our Facebook page, we get a lot of questions about the size of the Waggoner Ranch. People are curious — how can the Waggoner Ranch be the largest ranch under one fence in the United States?  What about the King Ranch?

the w.t. waggoner ranch is the largest ranch under one fence in the united states

It’s true that the King Ranch holds more land than the Waggoner, coming in at around 825,000 acres. That land, however, is split between four neighboring parcels. The W.T. Waggoner Ranch is over 510,000 acres of contiguous land behind a single fence. While it isn’t the largest ranch in the United States (Vermejo Park Ranch is also larger in terms of acreage), it holds the record for the largest contiguous ranch.

The Waggoner Ranch started small in 1849, when Dan Waggoner started buying up land and cattle near Decatur, Texas. He soon moved the operation near Wichita Falls, where the ranch continued to grow. It now has 3 lakes, oil interests, and more than 26,000 acres in cultivation. The ranch spans 6 counties, and is larger than New York and Los Angeles combined.

Now that’s a Texas sized ranch.

Want to learn more about the history of this great Texas icon? Order the award-winning book Cowboys of the Waggoner Ranch today. Printed right here in the USA, this book chronicles the 26 working cowboys on the ranch before it sold in 2016. Books ship free in the United States every day.

 

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Raising the Next Generation of Cowboys

June 19, 2017

When Jeremy Enlow photographed Cowboys of the Waggoner Ranch, 26 cowboys lived and worked the ranch full time. Working the cattle on the ranch isn’t the cowboys’ only job, though. They also spend a lot of time raising the next generation of cowboys to excel at their job.

Kids on the Waggoner Ranch work hard

After most of the branding is done, the cowboys take the time to teach the children how to do their jobs. They exercise the same skill in teaching as in doing the job themselves.

It does not matter that it takes longer. It doesn’t seem to be any trouble. They encourage the effort and congratulate the kids on their slightest success. Jimbo Glover says that’s not only a regular occurrence, but it’s important.

“They’re our future. They’ll replace us old ones one of these days,” says Jimbo. While other cowboys hold down the calf, Justin Henry patiently shows Jeb Stacey how to lend a hand while carefully keeping himself between the calf and the boy. Looking on, Blaine Galbreath knows the cowboys will do the same for his first son, newborn Gunnison Blaine, in a few years.

 

Do you want to learn more about these Texas cowboys? Join 23,000 other fans following our Facebook page where we share new cowboy stories every day.

 

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Free Shipping Every Day

June 12, 2017

Cowboys of the Waggoner Ranch offers a once in a lifetime look at 26 working cowboys on one of the largest ranches in the United States. Sold in 2015 after being family owned since 1849, the Waggoner Ranch is a little known American icon. We’re honored to have been able to photograph these cowboys before the ranch sold.

 

Buy Cowboys of the Waggoner Ranch today and learn about this iconic ranch

The book preserves the history of a fading lifestyle — lifelong cowboys working a 510,527 acre ranch with nothing but their ropes and horses. We love sharing the story of these amazing men and the historic ranch they work on. The book is made right here in Texas. Free standard shipping in the United States is always available, no coupon code required. Don’t miss your chance to own this piece of American history!

 

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Looking Back on the Waggoner Ranch

June 5, 2017

For the last year and half, we’ve had the honor of sharing the story of the Waggoner Ranch cowboys. From the pages of our award-winning book Cowboys of the Waggoner Ranch to the stories we post every day on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, we love helping more people discover these hardworking cowboys.

the waggoner ranch sold recently after 165+ years of family ownership

Today, we’re sharing some of our favorite stories of the W.T. Waggoner Ranch from the last year and a half.

Good Morning, Waggoner

Start your photographic tour of the Waggoner Ranch in the dark morning hours. The Waggoner Ranch cowboys go to work under the light of the moon. This gallery shows the vivid Texas night sky and as the cowboys and their horses head to work.

Never Before Seen Photographs of the Waggoner Ranch

During his time on the W.T. Waggoner Ranch, Jeremy Enlow capture more than 14,000 images. That’s a whole lot of #cowboylife photos. Obviously, most of these photos never made their way into the book. Take a peek into his archives here.

Bobby Daniel Retires After 51 Years

Bobby Daniel is a legend around the Texas ranch. Cowboying on the ranch from 1965-2016, he comes from a long line of Waggoner cowboys. Learn more about Bobby’s story (and the Daniel legacy on the ranch!).

Stan Kroenke Closes on Famed Waggoner Ranch

This is the sale that put the Waggoner Ranch front and center in national news. After years of legal disputes between the heirs, the ranch was sold to Stan Kroenke. With a listing price of $725 million, the sale made headlines.

The History of the Waggoner Ranch

Want to learn more about the history of the largest ranch under one fence in the United States? We round up the most important facts (and some of our favorite trivia) for you here.

 

 

Thank you to everyone for following us! We hope you keep sharing the Waggoner cowboys’ story.

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Memorial Day Sale Ends Today!

May 29, 2017

this memorial day take 25% off cowboys of the waggoner ranch today only

Cowboys of the Waggoner Ranch is on sale for the first time ever! In honor of Memorial Day, take 25% off your purchase, plus enjoy free shipping! Just use code 25MEMORIAL17 at checkout. This sale ends today, so get your order in fast.

 

“It was my honor to document this vital piece of Texas history for future generations to enjoy, before it’s gone,” says Jeremy Enlow. “I was shocked a ranch this size still existed with so many Cowboys still practicing cowboying the way it was done 100 years ago, with just their ropes and horses.  The land on the Waggoner is beautiful, but it’s the Cowboys on the ranch that make it a special place.”

Cowboys of the Waggoner Ranch is proudly made in the USA. Printed in North Texas, the book is a GO TEXAN product. A portion of the proceeds of the book benefits the Waggoner Ranch Cowboys Fund.

 

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Waggoner Ranch Horses

May 22, 2017

If you love cowboys, we’re betting you love horses too. The Waggoner Ranch has raised some amazing horses, most notably Poco Bueno. The stallion was buried standing up in a grave across from the ranch’s entrance.

waggoner ranch horses photographed by Jeremy Enlow

The remuda on the Waggoner are beautiful, and give the ranch hands plenty of choices for fresh mounts. You can see more pictures of these horses in the Cowboys of the Waggoner Ranch book.

In 1994, the American Quarter Horse Association published a lengthy article on the history of the Waggoner Ranch horses. At the time, Wes O’Neal was the horse foreman for the ranch.

“The cowboys get to pick their colts by seniority,” O’Neal said. “But anyone who picks a young horse has to turn in one he has in his string.” -Wes O’Neal

Jeremy Enlow photographed many of the ranch’s horses during the making of the book. From the cowboys choosing their horse for the day, to roping the remuda, these animals play an important part in cowboy life.

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Waggoner Ranch History

May 15, 2017

The Waggoner Ranch sold last year after 165+ years of family ownership. It’s a fascinating place, so we’re sharing some of our favorite pieces of Waggoner history.

1. It started in Wise County

While the sprawling, half-million acre ranch is now located near Wichita Falls, Dan Waggoner got his start in Wise County. He ran his first cattle near Denton Creek.

 

2. Dan Waggoner’s first cattle cost $8

Yep, Dan’s first longhorns cost less than the hamburger we had for lunch.  (Ok, so that’s in 1849 dollars. It would be about $250 in today’s dollars… still a heck of a deal!)

The Waggoner Ranch in Wichita Falls is the largest ranch under one fence in the United States

3. The Buick Electra was named after Electra Waggoner Biggs

What’s the nicest thing your in-laws have done for you? Electra Waggoner Biggs’ brother in-law named the Buick Electra after her!

 

4. President Theodore Roosevelt vacationed on the Waggoner Ranch

Always a fan of adventure, Teddy Roosevelt was a guest on the Waggoner. Hunting, riding, and other past times made it a great getaway for the President.

 

If you love Waggoner Ranch history, don’t miss this great archive of historic Waggoner Ranch photos! 

Happy Mother’s Day!

May 9, 2017

This Mother’s Day week, we’d like to take a moment to thank all of the great moms in our lives. Whether we work on the ranch or in the photography studio, we all owe a lot to our moms. Thanks for raising hardworking men and women, and for making the future better one child at a time.

Happy Mother’s Day to each of you!

 

The Waggoner Ranch near Vernon, Texas photographed by Jeremy Enlo

You may also be interested in: It Takes a Village

 

 

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