Texas continues to solidify its reputation as a land-rich state, as evidenced by The Land Report’s recent unveiling of the largest private landowners in the United States. The list reveals that nearly 40% of those named are Texans or individuals with substantial land holdings within the state, highlighting Texas’s vast expanses.
Leading the pack is Stan Kroenke, who not only owns the Los Angeles Rams but has become a prominent figure in land ownership across several states. Notably, Kroenke purchased the historic W.T. Waggoner Estate Ranch in North Texas in 2016. Spanning 535,000 acres, the Waggoner Ranch is only a slice of Kroenke’s total land empire, which includes approximately 2.7 million acres across Texas, New Mexico, Montana, and even Canada. His significant land acquisition was further amplified late last year with the purchase of the 937,000-acre Singleton Ranches in New Mexico.
Other notable Texans on the list include the heirs to the iconic King Ranch, which covers over 800,000 acres and is a continuously operating cattle ranch in South Texas. The King family collectively oversees around 911,000 acres, sustaining the legacy of this historical ranch.
The Briscoe Family, recognized as one of Texas’s founding ranching families, has amassed 738,000 acres, primarily in the Uvalde region. Meanwhile, the O’Connor family, whose roots in South Texas trace back to the 1800s, retains over 400,000 acres, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to land stewardship.
In a notable connection to Texas, Jeff Bezos, although not a native, maintains significant operations in the state through his Blue Origin company. He possesses an extensive acreage in Far West Texas, totaling 462,000 acres, where his endeavors in space exploration take flight.
The Bass Family, well-known in North Texas, is associated with about 381,000 acres, including holdings in Kansas, while Taylor Sheridan, the creative mind behind popular series like “Yellowstone,” has made headlines for his investment in ranching. Sheridan was part of a group that acquired the Four Sixes Ranch, comprising over 260,000 acres west of Fort Worth.
Additionally, the Hunt Family, influential in Dallas, has leveraged their oil wealth to maintain over 240,000 acres in Texas as well as properties in other states like Arizona and Montana.
The dominance of Texas landowners in this prestigious list not only showcases the vast resources within the state but also reflects the enduring legacy of ranching and land stewardship that characterize Texas history. As these landholdings continue to evolve, the spirit of Texas ranching and its significant imprints on American culture are poised to flourish.