JA Ranch, The Old

In 1876, veteran Texas cattleman, Charles Goodnight entered Palo Duro Canyon by way of an old Comanche Indian trail near here, to establish the first ranch in this area. In 1877, Goodnight in partnership with Englishman John Adair moved farther down the canyon to lay out headquarters of the JA Ranch. This pioneer venture became one of the greatest cattle operations in the world, taking in more than a million acres of land and grazing 101,023 head of cattle. Goodnight had became acquainted with the Palo Duro as a scout and guide for Texas Rangers during the Civil War. He knew that the canyon, fenced in by the overhanging caprock, was an ideal spot for a ranch: it furnished water and shelter in the winter and the adjacent plains provided ideal grazing in the summer. Upper division of this ranch (the park area) was reserved for the purebred, of JA herd. The vast lower end of the JA was ranged by longhorns - gradually being improved by better blood. In 1887 the Goodnight-Adair partnership was ended. Adair retained the JA which, in the hands of his heirs, is still one of the great ranches of Texas. (1968)

JA Ranch, The Old is a historical marker in Canyon, Randall County, dedicated in 1968. It is one of 38 historical markers documented in Randall County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 49 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 34.9899, -101.7047 near Canyon. The nearest cataloged historic site is Rustler's Graveyard (cemetery), about 0.7 miles away. Others within a short drive include The Civilian Conservation Corps at Palo Duro Canyon State Park, The Battle of Palo Duro Canyon, and St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5381005388. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.