Chittim Ranch

Chittim Ranch is a historic ranch located in Maverick County, Texas. It was established in 1898 by William J. "Billy" Chittim and his brother, Thomas H. Chittim. The ranch played an important role in the development of the cattle industry in Texas. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Chittim Ranch was one of the largest ranches in the state of Texas, with over 150,000 acres of land. The ranch was known for its high-quality cattle, and it played a key role in the development of the Texas Longhorn breed. In addition to its importance in the cattle industry, the Chittim Ranch also played a role in the history of Maverick County. The ranch was a hub of activity during the early days of the county, and it served as a center of commerce and social life for the area. Today, the Chittim Ranch is still in operation, and it is recognized as a historic landmark in Texas. It is a reminder of the rich history and culture of the state, and it continues to be an important part of the Texas ranching industry.

Born in Missouri in 1858, James Madison Chittim worked as a cowboy as far west as Kansas as a teenager. He began to buy, sell and train horses, then traded in cattle. He moved to Memphis around 1880 to pursue the livestock business. He and his partner were among the first to successfully use cottonseed meal and seed hulls to fatten cattle prior to their sale at auction. In Memphis he met and married Annie Elizabeth Oberle in 1888 before his business met with reverses, resulting in a move to Texas. Within a few years, Chittim became an extremely successful rancher with extensive ranch properties in Texas, and cattle in the tens of thousands. He made investments all over the state and bought a cotton farm in Beeville, and in 1895 began purchasing land in Maverick county, including over 3,000 acres from the estate of the widow of Texas lawyer, politician and land baron Samuel Maverick, for whom Naverick county is named. After discovering oil on the ranch in 1889, he built an elegant house in San Antonio for his wife. He also joined the National Cattle Breeders’ Association and the Cattle Raisers’ Association of Texas.

At the time of his death in 1911, Chittim owned the largest ranch west of San Antonio, including 196,000 acres in Maverick county, nearly one-quarter of the county. Chittim died at the age of 52, leaving four children. Following his wife’s death in 1938, the land gradually changed hands, but his descendants still own most of the original ranch. A few historic buildings still stand on the ranch, including the Dos Chimeneas Ranch House. Geological formations underlying the ranch have been named for him, such as the Chittim Arch and the Chittim Anticline. The town of Tuleta, Texas, was named after his daughter. James Chittim is buried in the Anchor Lodge Cemetery in San Antonio.