MAY 8, 2013  TEXAS WHITE HOUSE

We got a slow start this morning or should I say a retirement start but we finally got on the road.  Our destination today is the Lyndon Baines Johnston Ranch and the Texas White House. President Johnson lived just outside of Fredericksburg before and after his reign of President on a 2000 acre ranch where he raised Hereford Cattle for both beef and showing.  He had other animals but Herefords’ were his main concern.     

The drive through the farm took us past his birth home, the first school he attended and the family graveyard.

 



Original Homestead and Birthplace



 

 



Family Burial Plot

 

First School Attended.

 

The birth home has been rebuilt but was redone exactly as the original house and has been furnished with furniture from that era.  We also made a brief stop at the grave site before heading to the ranch house.  During his reign as President the house was commonly referred to as The Texas White House as President Johnson liked to not only entertain but hold meetings there.  He spent about 25% of his presidency here in Texas and as a result the range has a 6000 foot runway, both for his use and the many visitors that came to the ranch.  

The first thing you see as you approach the house in the airplane on display and the hanger.

 

Air Force 1/2

 


Ranch Hanger



 

 

The airplane shown above in not the Airforce one he used during his time of office.  That plane would take him to Austin and then he would use this plan to fly to the ranch.  He commonly referred to this plane as Air Force 1/2.

 

The Ranch House was given to the US Parks Services in 2008, a year after Mrs. Johnson passed. 

 

 

When the tour was over we headed back to the RV park.  Tomorrow we are going to do a little hiking at Enchanted Rock State Park.