GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS An Administrative History

CHAPTER III: THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF WALLACE PRATT AND J. C. HUNTER, JR. (continued)

National Park Service Interest in the Guadalupe Mountain Ranch

In May 1961, the team from the Southwest Regional Office of the Park Service, accompanied by J.C. Hunter, Jr., and Wallace Pratt, surveyed Hunter's Guadalupe Mountain Ranch (see Figure 10). A report to the Regional Director, issued in March 1962, summarized the investigation of the area. The group was favorably impressed with most parts of the ranch as potential park property, particularly the mountain uplands that included El Capitan and Guadalupe Peak. Echoing the long-time philosophy of the Park Service that parkland should be of little economic value, [18] the report emphasized the meagerness of economic resources on the ranch. Ground water received a "valuable" assessment, while the potential values of building stone, road material, salt, oil, and gas were minimized. The only economic utilization of the 110-section ranch was for Angora goat production. [19]

The report pointed out Hunter's conservation-minded management and the fact that wildlife resources had increased under his ownership. The team viewed the introduction of elk (1929), Merriam turkeys (1954), and the planting of bluegill and rout in McKittrick Creek as positive aspects of management by the Hunter family. Although Hunter had allowed the north and west sectors of the ranch to be badly overgrazed by the goats, drift fences separated this area from the scenic uplands of the mountain range. [20]

The report also included geological, biological, archeological, and historical assessments of Hunter's ranch. The geological report emphasized the uniqueness of the Capitan reef, pointing out the "remarkable display of deep-water basin deposits, of reef and reef talus, and of shallow-water shelf sediments, all formed at the same time but differing because of differences in the environments in which they originated." The botanical report emphasized the range of botanical features found within the boundaries of the ranch. The team observed ecological variations from Chihuhuan desert to Canadian zones. Native animal life included small and large mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. Archeological resources, largely cave sites, included evidence of long-term occupancy beginning 6,000 years ago and continuing through the time of the Mescalero Apaches. Historic resources included remnants of the Butterfield Trail stage station. [21]

The survey team found the climax-type vegetation existing in the ridge area worthy of protection from overuse and fire. They also suggested that the varied terrain offered the opportunity for roadless sections as well as areas developed for heavy public use. One possible form of development suggested was a ridge road, similar to the ones envisioned by Toll, Pratt, and Hunter. The accessibility of the property seemed problematical, and the team recommended access from the east via U.S. 62-180. The team concluded that the scenic and scientific values of the Guadalupe Mountains, particularly in South McKittrick Canyon, were worthy of serious consideration as park lands and would "round out" the land donated by Pratt. [22]

The introduction to the study revealed the attitude toward acquisition of the Hunter land that would prevail for nearly a decade: that Hunter had little choice but to wait for the government to buy his land. The investigators believed Hunter had few potential buyers for his land and that there was ample time for the Park Service to consider acquisition. [23]

In July 1962, A. Clark Stratton, Acting Director of the Park Service, made the results of the investigation of Hunter's ranch known to Interior Secretary Stewart L. Udall. Stratton pointed out that the area recommended for park status involved only 27,000 of nearly 72,000 acres that Hunter wished to sell for $1,500,000. Stratton also anticipated that in this situation Udall might suggest that Hunter exchange the acreage for which the Park Service did not wish to pay for other land in the public domain. In this regard, Stratton reminded Udall that Texas contained no public domain, thereby making it necessary for Hunter to exchange for land in some other state if the idea of an exchange were pursued. Stratton concluded by noting that the acreage deemed undesirable by the Park Service was generally unattractive and unproductive, that the U.S. Forest Service had already indicated its lack of interest in the property, and that it would be difficult to sell apart from the rest of the ranch. [24]

Udall recognized the limitations of the situation and the need to purchase all of Hunter's property, not just the scenic parts. In response to Stratton's report, he began soliciting benefactors who might purchase Hunter's property and donate it to the federal government. On the recommendation of Hunter's agent, Glenn Biggs, Udall contacted the heads of three philanthropic organizations located in Texas: the Braniff Foundation, the Robert Welch Foundation, and the Amon Carter Foundation. Although records do not contain the responses to Udall's solicitations, none of the foundations was involved in subsequent negotiations for the park lands. [25]

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