12 The LandReport | T E X A S 2 0 1 6
LANDREPORT.COM
I
n the beginning, there was Santa Gertrudis, "an irregularly shaped piece of
wilderness measuring three and one half square Spanish leagues." This is
the story Tom Lea shared about Captain King's initial acquisition in The
King Ranch. I mention Santa Gertrudis for several reasons. First and foremost,
this is the Magazine of the Texas Landowner, and few can dare to rival the
achievements of King Ranch's founder, Mrs. King, and those of their
descendants who shepherd this legacy. And that story begins with el Rincón
de Santa Gertrudis.
But there's another reason I bring up Santa Gertrudis.
On several occasions, I've listened to Captain King's descendants describe
various aspects of their extended family: how they face challenges or the way
consensus is generated. More often than not, they don't refer to themselves
by using a family name. Nor do they use a corporate name. They refer to
themselves as Santa Gertrudis.
It's who they are.
At The Land Report, we hope that you and yours are fortunate enough
to find "an irregularly shaped piece of wilderness" that means as much.
Listen to landowners. Learn. Repeat.
A Simple Phrase
E r i c O' K e e f e
editor@landreport.com
Editor's Note
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