The El Capote Ranch House

The legacy of Olde Town Texas is inextricably linked to the storied El Capote Ranch. Its history begins in 1806, when Jose De La Baume, a French officer who fought in the American Revolution, was granted 27,000 acres on the south side of the Guadalupe River. By 1840, the land was acquired by Michael Erskine, who established it as a vital stop for travelers and cattle drives. (The Library of Congress)

In a unique turn of history, a portion of the original ranch was deeded in the 1870s to Edith Kermit Carow, who would later become the second wife of President Theodore Roosevelt. This Texas connection followed Roosevelt into battle; during the Spanish-American War in 1898, he famously rode an El Capote Ranch horse named "Seguin" (also known as "Little Texas" ) during the charge up San Juan Hill. (Atlas: Texas Historical Commission)

The modern era of the ranch began in 1897 when Judge Leroy Gilbert Denman, a Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, purchased the property and expanded it to include land on the north side of the river—the site of present-day Olde Town Texas. At its peak, the El Capote Ranch encompassed approximately 50,000 acres, and much of this historic land remains in the hands of Denman descendants today. (Atlas: Texas Historical Commission)

The El Capote Ranch House is truly a “House With a Tree” — not a tree house, but a house literally built around a centuries‑old live oak.

Visitors are always amazed to discover that this historic home was constructed with the massive oak at its heart, its branches stretching through the structure like a living sculpture. It’s one of those rare Texas stories that sounds unbelievable until you see it with your own eyes.

Inside, the Ranch House blends frontier décor with pioneer engineering, the rugged charm of early Texas homesteads and nature protecting the roof from the scorching Texas sun . Weathered wood, handcrafted details, and the presence of that ancient oak create an atmosphere that feels both timeless and deeply rooted in the land.