A Visual Timeline of King Ranch's Legacy
Timeline
1824
Richard King is born in NYC.
1847
Richard King arrives in Texas to join Mifflin Kenedy for river boat service during the Mexican War.
1853
Rancho de Santa Gertrudes (King Ranch) is founded with the purchase of the Rincon de Santa Gertrudis land grant.
1869
The first Rancho de Santa Gertrudes cattle drive to Northern markets is undertaken.
1885
Rancho de Santa Gertrudes (King Ranch) is founded with the purchase of the Rincon de Santa Gertrudis land grant.
1886
Alice Gertrudis King married Robert Justus Kleberg, Sr. .
1891
The first dipping vats are developed in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Animal Industry to rid cattle of the Texas Fever tick.
1899
The area's first successful artesian well is drilled, speeding the development of agriculture, railroad construction, and small communities.
1915
The present Main House is built.
1915
The first mechanized attempts at pasture improvement are initiated on the Ranch.
1920
Monkey (3/8 Brahman and 5/8 Shorthorn) the foundation sire for the Santa Gertrudis breed is calved.
1933
King Ranch net wire fencing is developed as an innovative fencing method.
1935
The root plow is invented and first used on the Ranch to reclaim land from ever-encroaching brush.
1938
Mineral and vitamin supplements are added to cattle diets.
1940
The Santa Gertrudis breed is recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as first beef breed ever produced in America and the first new breed in over 100 years.
1943
Thoroughbred ASSAULT foaled on the Ranch. ASSAULT wins the Triple Crown in 1946.
1951
The Twin D-8 caterpillar tractor is invented, allowing heavy brush growth to be grubbed and land plowed and seeded, all at the same time, with a single operator.
1961
King Ranch designated a National Historic Landmark.
1974
Quarter Horse PEPPY SAN BADGER foaled. At one time, he would be the all-time leading sire of NCHA cutting horses.
1994
King Ranch Santa Cruz, crossbred cattle, is developed to meet modern consumer's beef expectations.
1994
Cattle sorting facility using air pressure to sort 500 head of cattle per hour is invented on the Ranch.
1998
Consolidated Citrus Limited Partnership formed. It will become the largest citrus provider in the U. S.
2003
King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management is established at Texas A&M University - Kingsville.