Houstonians who want land — lots of land — can delight in a parcel just about an hour (and a whole world) away from the Bayou City. The lush space is owned by legendary local attorney Dick DeGuerin and is now for sale.
DeGuerin, who made a name for himself as a defense attorney to the likes of Tom DeLay, Robert Durst, and David Koresh, bought a sprawling, 120-acre ranch tucked into the gently rolling hills of Carmine, Texas (colloquially known as Burton), dotted with lakes and endless vistas of blue sky back in 1982. The ranch was his retreat from the hustle of Houston city life, and a place where he could leave behind the frenzied pace of courthouse life to tend cattle, ride horses, and unwind with family.
Now, he's selling off 40 acres of the property at 11022 Wildlife Circle. The country retreat is on the market for $1.2 million and is offered by Jeanine Kaminski-Ditzel of John Daugherty, Realtors.
The parcel comes with two lakes, one of them 40 feet deep. Both are fully stocked for fishing and provide a gorgeous setting from which to watch the sun sink from the Texas sky. Live oak trees, expansive grassy areas, and riding paths add to the property's rustic chic. (An added perk: one of the nation's best criminal defense minds as a neighbor.)
Along with the acreage comes the main house, a converted stationmaster's depot from Burton's days as a railroad stop. This is the kind of home country ranch fantasies are made of; natural light showers sunshine on the long-lead pine floors. There's a massive stone fireplace in the living room, perfect for warding off chilly nights on the edge of the Hill Country.
The master bedroom boasts high ceilings, intricate truss work and its own screened-in porch. Upstairs, a second bedroom overlooks the property's lakes and endless meadows. There's also a bunk room that'll sleep six, which will come in handy for family and friend gatherings. Also included is a guesthouse with a private bath that can serve as additional accommodations or living quarters for a ranch foreman. There's a barn with ample space for all the needs of ranch life: tack room, tinkering space, storage, setting for rustic events.
“I just hate to let this place go,” DeGuerin said in a statement. “This land is part of me and my family, but with most of our children living out of state, it doesn’t make sense for us now."
While the DeGuerins will keep the rest of their acreage, and DeGeurin will continue to raise chickens, horses, and cattle, this opportunity can be a dream come true for someone else. It's the kind of spread that beckons to just the right someone, the kind of person who feels the love of land deeply in their DNA, who cherishes the sound of the wind through the grass and trees, the sight of a hawk in a lazy flight overhead, the feel of a cool evening breeze that makes ripples on the water as dusk descends. It's a private spot, one where serenity reigns.
"I hope the new owner will take the same chance at happiness as I did on this land," added DeGuerin.
DeGuerin and wife, Janie.
