saadmin
BY ERIC WHITE
The Y.O. Ranch is a remaining symbol of Texas History. The ranch has weathered the monumental changes Texas has endured since 1880. At the age of 14, Captain Charles Armand Schreiner moved with his parents from Riquewihr, France to Texas. His father died shortly thereafter, and Charles joined the Texas Rangers in 1854 where he served with distinction until 1857 when at the age of 19 years, his mother died. He helped his brother-in-law, Casper Real ranch in the Turtle Creek area in Kerr County. The pair subsequently opened a small store in Camp Verde next to a military post. Charles and Casper contracted with the government to provide beef and other supplies to the fort. Charles met and married Mary in 1861 while also joining the Infantry to fight in the Civil War. He returned home to difficult times, but eventually with the help of August Faltin, moved the family of ultimately eight children to Kerrville to open up a mercantile. The area began to grow significantly, and Captain Schreiner branched out into banking, sheep, goats, and the cattle business. Charles gathered over 300,000 head Texas Longhorn to drive up the Western Trail to Dodge City. The resulting profits allowed him to build a ranching empire that spanned over 600,000 acres at its’ pinnacle.
In 1880, Captain Schreiner acquired 66,000 acres that would become known as the Y.O. Ranch. His son, Walter was put in charge and it became the headquarters for the sheep and angora goat business. Captain Schreiner began brokering wool and mohair for both his ranch as well as neighboring ranches to become the controlling hub of the world Mohair market. Walter married Myrtle and in 1927, the year of Captain Schreiner’s death, had a son named Charles Schreiner III. Upon the death of Walter in 1934, Myrtle ran the ranch with the help of Captain Schreiners sons until her death. In 1948, upon graduation from the University of Texas, Charlie III and new wife, Audrey, moved to the YO to become full-time ranchers. After surviving the great drought of the 1950’s, Charlie III embarked on changing the future of the YO ranch. His family grew to include four boys, Charlie IV, Walter, Gus and Louie. Charlie III, always a student of history, both saved and promoted Texas Longhorns to replace Herefords as they were better suited to the Texas Hill Country.
Myrtle had first leased the ranch for hunting in 1933. WWWI flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker had experimented with exotic game which provided the groundwork for Charlie III to introduce wildlife in 1956. By 1966, wildlife herds, including non-native species from around the world had flourished, and Charlie III started his own African-style safari company in Texas. Historic cabins were moved to the headquarters to accommodate hunters and Texas’ first game ranch was established. Later the boys were involved in ranch operations and non-hunting guests patroned the YO ranch for its’ wildlife and historical roots.
As with the circle of life, families grow, and the ranch could no longer supprt everyone. Since oil was never produced in this part of the country, the family looked for suitors to take over. Byron and Sandra Sadler undertook the challenge of preserving the ranch and Texas heritage for future generations. After several years of restoring the ranch infrastructure and adding some attractions, the Y.O. Ranch, now known has the Y.O. Ranch Headquarters, remains as a reminder of our past and the Texan indominable spirit of evolving over time.
The ranch and its headquarters currently operates as Y.O. Ranch Headquarters and can be reached at (830) 640-3222. The website is: www.yoranchheadquarters.com
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