A Compiled by Bob Kinnan
S A RECOGNIZED NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK, KING Ranch has commemorated many signifi cant milestones through the years.
Founded in 1853, the ranch celebrated its centennial
in 1953 and sesquicentennial in 2003. This year marks the latest celebratory event in the ranch’s history, as it recognizes the 100th anniversary of the completion of main house. Though it is the third home the King-Kleberg fam-
ily has occupied at the Santa Gertrudis headquarters, it is by far the most grand. Encompassing 37,000 square feet, the house contains 27 rooms, 17 bedrooms, 18 bathrooms and 26 fi replaces. Seven generations of the King Ranch family have called
this place home. Captain Richard King and Henrietta Maria Morse Chamberlain were married on December 9, 1854. For their honeymoon, the newlyweds traveled from Brownsville to their home at Rancho de Santa Gertrudes. Many years later, Henrietta King would describe
their fi rst home as a “mere jacal as Mexicans would call it — it was our abode for many months until our main Ranch dwelling was completed.” It is believed that the jacal to which Henrietta King
referred is the lean-to building next to the commissary. The commissary itself was built in 1854 as a business headquarters and blockade fortifi cation. It was enlarged in 1868, and again in 1909. The fi rst permanent family residence on King Ranch
was built between late 1857 and early 1859. The site was chosen by a close friend, Colonel Robert E. Lee. The house had a half second-story and contained 5 rooms. After the Civil War, the house was enlarged again.
A second story was added to the main living quarters to provide new rooms for the growing children. A third remodeling of the home occurred soon after
Alice and Robert Kleberg were married. The 1-story, rear addition of the late 1860s, which extended from the 2-story front unit, was lengthened and given a second story, with pillared and lattice-railed outside galleries on the existing square front of the house. The dining room and kitchen, which were remod-
eled and then built of stone to avoid the hazard of fi re, formed a separate building at the rear of the house. These rooms were connected with the living quarters by an unroofed walkway.
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tscra.org December 2015 The Cattleman 93
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