Summer 2016

The Old Post Oak Ranch was purchased by
George Wilkins Kendall, a native of New
Hampshire, and one of the founders of
The Picayune, a New Orleans newspaper.
“Kendall knew the barren, rocky hills of
New Hampshire, the gentle countryside of
France, the green hills and bleak moors of
England and Scotland, the lush marshes of
Louisiana and the coastal plains of Texas.
He was no stranger to the ruggedness of Northern Mexico, to the
unlimited Llanos Estacados of West Texas, to the mesas and the
green Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico. One day he saw the gentle
rise of a post-oak hill sloping down across green meadows to a
creek-fed by springs, a crooked creek choked with cattails and with
peppery water cress. He said he wanted this to be his home.” by
Sam Woolford in an article in the Dixie-Times-Picayune States Roto
Magazine, September 1955.
In an article in his book, “Historic Images of Boerne, Texas”, Garland
Perry writes, “While in Paris promoting the sale of his book about the
Mexican War, Mr. Kendall married the former Adeline Suzanne de
Valcourt. Six years later—in 1855—he returned to Texas with his wife
and two charming young children to make the beautiful Hill Country
their permanent home,” and “Mr. Kendall immediately became
involved in activities pertaining to the development of Boerne and
Kendall County. He was instrumental in building St. Peters Catholic
Church, the first church in Boerne. Kendall imported fine-wooled
Merino sheep and English sheepdogs to the area, and, of course,
he took an active part in organizing Kendall County. Kendall died of
pneumonia at his ranch house October 21, 1867. He was 58 years of
age.” The county was named for George Wilkins Kendall.
The historic property was later owned by Clifford Mooers, oilman
and thoroughbred breeder. Mr. Mooers fell in love with the Post
Oak Springs Ranch, and endeavored to reassemble as much of
the Kendall holding as possible. When Mooers was young he went
to the Yukon and prospected for gold. Across the wind-swept
tundra of the Far North, Mooers went seeking the yellow metal
that has lured men from time immemorial. He drove dog sleds into
the blinding whiteness of the Arctic Circle. For three years he ran
an Alaskan tracing post. He was one of that crew of young eagles
in World War I who flew the early flying machines. His search for
gold gave way to a determined hunt for the black gold of Texas.
He became one of the outstanding independent oil operators as
he built his successful company Shasta Oil Company. Mr. Mooers
developed the hobby of raising and racing thoroughbreds. His
horses made headlines at Churchill Downs, Preakness and Belmont.
These horses were bred on the Mooers Farm near Lexington,
Kentucky then raced in the Kentucky races. Each year 10 fillies were
brought to the Kendall County Ranch and turned loose on the gentle
slope. Mr. Mooers did an expert job of restoring the old house, but
left untouched the original construction of stone and heavy cedar
timbers. Kenmore Farms passed to his daughter, Maria Heater and
then to her children. There is a historic marker placed in front of the
ranch house. This is a rare opportunity to own a beautiful ranch of
significant historical value in the Texas Hill Country.
24