Start of the Spade Ranch

In 1885, Dudley H. Snyder bought 128,000 acres to establish a ranch in Texas. Snyder had to borrow about half the money from his brother, John, and later he deeded half the interest to his brother. Together they bought another 71 sections of land, which brought their total acreage up to 173,400. In 1891, the Snyder brothers sold the northern most 128,000 acres to Isaac L. Ellwood. Ellwood named his land Spade Ranch. Overtime, Ellwood bought more land, bring his total acreage up to 262,000. The investment cost Isaac Ellwood about $769,72.

By  Lawrence L. Graves

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