Franklin Ranch

Ranch founder, Ralph S. "Rafe" Franklin, was born in Louisiana, April 4, 1848. He came to McMullen County in the early 1860's with his family. He started this ranch about 1870, building it up until he owned 40,000 acres, one of the largest holdings in this area. On Nov. 4, 1870, he married Minerva Holland; their children were: Murray; Buddy; R.S. Jr.; Green; Felix; Chapman; Amy; Claude; Tom; John; Margaret; Sam; Julius. The ranch headquartered on San Miguel Creek. In 1913, the present ranch home was built at the same location. It was a travelers' refuge; relatives and friends from near and far visited oftent to attend parties, dances, picnics and other social gatherings. For a short time Franklin ran sheep and goats but changed to cattle. In 1902, he purchased a herd of black angus, the first in this part of the country. The old "San Antonio-Laredo Stage Road" traverses ranch, crossing San Miguel Creek below ranch home. During the Civil War much cotton passed over this road headed for the Mexican border. The Franklins were pioneers in truest sense--few were more dynamic than they in early McMullen County development. "Rafe" Franklin died March 14, 1913. 1967

Franklin Ranch is a historical marker in Tilden, McMullen County, dedicated in 1967. It is one of 20 historical markers documented in McMullen County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 22 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 28.5842, -98.5457 near Tilden. The nearest cataloged historic site is Cross (historical marker), about 1.4 miles away. Others within a short drive include San Miguel Cemetery, Camp Rio Frio, C.S.A., and San Caja Hill.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5311002054. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.