Anyone have a link with info about when the "Crawford Ranch" was purchased by shrub?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

I remember it's been discussed here, and it was bought either just before the TX governor race or just before the 2000 campaign, but there was only one single blog-type link that discussed it.

Anyone have any citations about this?

[TomInTib]

1. He bought the Howell hog farm right before announcing his candidancy

My family has ranches nearby and everyone was wondering why he would purchase the hog farm.

They also renamed the road as Prairie Chapel Road.

The rumor is that it is for sale.

[Wilms]

2. Knock yourself out

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=Nzy&q=%22Crawford+Ranch%22+purchased&btnG=Search

[LynnTheDem]

3. Built IIRC in 2000.

Lemme go look for links

[Mabus]

4. 1999, from a Crawford, Texas website

Crawford has changed quite a lot since the President and First Lady purchased their 1600 acre Prairie Chapel Ranch from the Engelbrecht family in 1999. http://www.crawford-texas.org/

[teriyaki jones]

5. And "1600 acres" helped propel him

to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

[Mabus]

6. He probably thought it was a sign from God

that he was supposed to be president.

[TomInTib]

7. Actually, it is 1634 acres

Pretty small in those parts.

My family has several ranches in the adjoining counties.

georgie's hog farm is a running joke in McClennan and Bosque Counties.

[mrbill]

8. the McLennan county tax office says 1580.22 acres...

"Bush" doesn't bring back any results, try Lone Star Trust.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

9. Thanks for the information, everyone.

[mrbill]

10. glad to aid in your quest for info, here's some more fun facts....

According to the county tax office web site, the "ranch" is made up of 80 acres of dryland cropland, 450 acres of improved pasture, 1047.22 acres of native pasture and a 3 acre home site for a total of 1580.22 acres.

In 2006 the land/market appraised value was $1,815,404. But with the handy agricultural exemption, the ag appraisal and the taxable amount was $108,116. A big savings at the tax office.

The 80 acres of dryland cropland are most likely the tree farm. George really has some wood. A few years ago there was a deal stuck which involves planting a bunch of live oak trees and then about the time the term in office ends said live oak trees are marketed to the faithful. Imagine owning your own special historical tree that came from the "Crawford White House" for only $395 plus shipping.

They can also sell a few hundred trees to the landscaping company doing the Library/Think Tank at SMU.

[Mabus]

11. That is interesting stuff there

Thanks for sharing it.

OMIGOD, the tree scam. I wonder if the trees all bear the presidential seal. You know how that little idiot likes slapping the seal on anything he can. Oh well, I guess it's normal for him and his family to continue preying on their base.