Ranch Timeline

1822

Milton Faver Born in Virginia

Milton Faver is born in Virginia in 1822.

Late 1830s

Faver Flees to Chihuahua

In his late teens, Faver was working in Missouri. It is believed that following a duel with another young man that he thought he killed, Faver fled to Chihuahua, Mexico.

1840s

Faver meets wife Francisca

Faver moves to and is working in a flour mill in Meoqui, Mexico. Not long after, Faver meets his wife Francisca Ramirez and have a son named Juan John. Around this time, he started his freighting business.

Early to mid 1850s

Freighting business flourishes

Faver’s freighting business flourished, allowing him to leave his employees in charge while moving his base of operation to Presidio del Norte.

1855-1857

Faver family moves north of Shafter

The Faver family and a number of employees then moved 25 miles north of Shafter, Texas. Following the move, he was set on claiming the land below the Chianti Mountains on Cibolo Creek, which was inhabited by Native Americans. Faver and his small army are victorious in battle and then began settling on the new land.

El Fortin del Cibolo

El Fortin del Cibolo was the first to be constructed. This fort operated as mercantile store for local trading, while also housing his employees.

El Fortin de la Cienega

Following the construction of El Fortin del Cibolo, they began work on El Fortin de la Cienega, which was designed similarly to the other fort and served as the headquarters of the cattle operation.

El Fortin de la Morita

Afterwards, they began construction on El Fortin de la Morita, which was used for his sheep and goat herds. Historical markers were placed here and El Fortin de la Cienega in 1994.

1875

War with Native Americans

As Faver was expanding his land, Native Americans engaged in various raids and battles. On July 31, 1875, they captured Faver’s brother-in-law Carmen Ramirez and his family. Ramirez’s knowledge of cattle, sheep, goats and vaqueros were vital to the growth of the ranch.

Ramirez would end up being killed, turning the battle into war. Fighting ceased in 1880, following the death of an Apache warrior – Chief Victorio.

1880s

Silver discovered in Shafter

Following the war, Faver controlled a vast area of open range in and around Shafter, along with most of the best water resources. Silver was discovered in Shafter between 1880-1881, thus the area was named The Richest Acre in Texas.

1882

Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railroad

The Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railroad made its way to Presidio County, bringing newcomers and competition. Those that settled near Shafter were taking Faver’s cattle and land that he had used free of charge. The new competition along with Faver’s age slowly led to the operation’s decline.

1886

Agreement with D.G Knight

With his health failing and the ranching empire fading, Faver no longer wanted to be a cattle baron. He reached an agreement with D.G. Knight to use his land, cattle, horses and equipment for three years, and they’d split the profits. This was unprofitable for both due to a drought from 1885-1887.

1889

Operations turned over to George Dawson

Following the expiration of the agreement, he sold his remaining cattle to Joe Humphreys and retired. He turned over operation of El Fortin de la Morita to George Dawson, Sr. in September. Three months later, he deeded the entire property to Juliana Dawson, George’s wife.

December 23, 1889

Faver passes away

Faver passed away peacefully on December 23, 1889, at El Fortin del Cibolo.

1942

George Dawson dies, George Jr. manages the ranches

George Dawson Sr. died on March 24, 1942. His son George Jr. and wife Juana moved back to La Mora (formerly El Fortin de la Morita) to manage the ranches.

1990

John B. Poindexter purchases properties

John B. Poindexter purchased all three original Milton Faver ranch properties – El Fortin del Cibolo, El Fortin de la Cienega and La Mora (renamed El Fortin de la Morita). Following rehabilitation, Cibolo Creek Ranch becomes a luxury ranch resort.

2018

Tom Davis becomes ranch manager

Fort Worth native Tom Davis is named Cibolo Creek Ranch manager. Working on a dairy farm in his youth, working on West Texas ranches and graduating from the King Ranch® Institute for Ranch Management in 2016 prepared Davis for his new role.