Guadalupe Ranch
Also known as: Frijole Ranch and Rader/Smith Ranch
Why it's listed
Frijole Ranch is a group of seven structures in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, northeast of Salt Flat in Culberson County, Texas. The complex includes a 1 1/2 story ranch house of ashlar stone with a wood-shake roof, a spring house, a bunkhouse, a double toilet, a former schoolhouse, a storage shed and a barn, all within a rubble stone wall. The front rooms of the house were built around 1876 by the Rader brothers, probably the first permanent settlers in this part of the mountains. Dormers were added in 1910, the guest house and toilet in 1920, and three rear rooms in 1925-1926. The barn dates from the 1950s. The ranch was listed because it is the most complete reminder of early cattle ranching in the southern Guadalupe Mountains. Stock raised in the Trans-Pecos region went by trail to Texas railheads or north along the Goodnight-Loving Trail, tying the ranch to the booming post-Civil War cattle economy.
Significance in brief: The front portion of the ranch house is described as the oldest substantial structure in the area. It was built by the Rader brothers, probably the first permanent settlers in this part of the Guadalupe Mountains. It is the most complete surviving trace of early cattle ranching in the southern Guadalupe Mountains and reflects local involvement in the post-Civil War range cattle economy.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 78000259, listed November 21, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | NE of Salt Flat in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Salt Flat |
|---|---|
| County | Culberson County |
| Listed | November 21, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78000259 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Rader brothers (built the original ranch house section) |
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as good; the buildings are used for park management (residence, storage, tack room). The schoolhouse is weathered and deteriorating. The roof was restored in 1976. |
| Acreage | 9 |
| Coordinates | 31.90761, -104.80051 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 78000259.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5504548
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.