Cenizo Journal Spring 2013 | Page 24

Photo by © TNC/Lynn McBride
Two large ponds, about the size of a couple of football fields, dominate the scene near preserve headquarters
INDEPEDENCE CREEK PRESERVE:
T HE H IDDEN O ASIS
by Kelly Fenstermaker
A
fter a stop in Balmor hea, a friend and I set out for
a drive through some of the most desolate land in
West Texas. About three hours later, the last part
of which involves missing a turn on a long dirt road, we
reach our destination: Independence Creek Preserve,
owned and operated by the Texas Nature Conservancy.
This 2,000-acre piece of land once belonged to the Oasis
and Canyon Ranches and was purchased from them in
2001.
We drive through the gate and surface a hill, and sud-
denly, on the other side, a lush river bed appears with a
creek running through it. Stands of oak shade the banks
of this unexpected source of water.
Not too many people have ever heard of
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Independence Creek, let alone have any idea where it is.
One reason is probably its middle-of-nowhere location.
The closest towns are Sheffield, 22 miles away, and
Dryden, 37 miles, both virtual ghost towns. If you didn’t
know the creek was there, you’d never guess. The vast
landscape of desert scrub and bare earth gives no hint.
And who would find reason to go there?
Yet, people have.
This part of the lower Pecos River area was first occu-
pied about 12,000 years ago by Archaic people who
depended on its constant supply of fresh water. They left
behind artifacts, and along the Pecos River, large con-
centrations of rock art. Later the Apaches arrived.
Eventually, they were displaced in the 19th century by
Cenizo
Second Quarter 2013
cattle, sheep and goat ranchers who were drawn to the
rich grass along the creek’s banks.
In the 50s, Charles Chand ler opened his ranch, adja-
cent to the preserve, to guests, offering water sports,
hunting, fishing and even a nine-hole golf course. For
many years it was one of the most popular recreation
areas in southwest Texas, partially due to the fact that it
was the only entertainment spot on the Pecos River.
A half mile from the preserve’s entrance the road
takes us to headquarters, site of the old Oasis Ranch.
Two large ponds, about the size of a couple of football
fields, dominate the scene. The guest house in which we
are staying with friends is right near the bank. The drive
to get here had been a long and parched one, but this