Our Houses

Each of our houses is rich in history, with intriguing stories about the folks that built them. Select a house below and discover the heritage behind the Frio River Landing.

The Orrell Homestead (The Cottage)

Sleeps 6

3 Bedrooms: 2 Master Suites, 1 Bunk Room
2 1/2 Baths
Full Kitchen with gas range
Fireplace
Natural Wood Floors
Large Back Porch
Patio with firepit
Adjacent to the tarmac
Beautiful views of the Hill Country and Frio River

Return to Main | The Buzz-Inn | The Ranch House

Click here to read the intriguing story of Texas Ranger R.P. Orrell.

R.P. Orrell

R.P. Orrell was a First Sergeant in the Field Battalion of the Texas Rangers, serving under Capt. Leander McNelly, the famed "tamer of the Nueces Strip". His service began in 1874 when Capt. McNelly gathered a select group of individuals to accomplish a feat that at the time seemed impossible - bring order to the Nueces Strip, the lawless area between the Nueces and Rio Grande Rivers overrun by bandits under the rule of Mexican Generals Juan Cortina and Juan Salinas.

Sergeant Orrell was one of five mounted Rangers, along with 6 or 7 Rangers on foot, to make up McNelly's famed "Death Squad". This group of fearless men crossed the Rio Grande (against orders from the U.S. Secretary of War) in mid- afternoon to confront Salinas and his band of 400 men on Mexican soil. The Rangers were victorious, capturing Salinas and returning over 400 head of cattle to Texas ranches.

R.P. Orrell had a family of 13 children, one of which was Jenny Orrell. The Cooper ranch bordered the Orrell Ranch to the East and across the Frio River. Jenny fell in love with Samuel Cooper, son of S.T. Cooper - a civil war veteran in his own rite and another intriguing story - and were soon married. The 1,400 acres of the Cooper- Maxwell Ranch encompass the homesteads of the Orrell and Cooper families.

Return to Main | The Orrell Homestead | The Ranch House

The Ranch House

Sleeps 10

The Ranch House was originally a house that has been expanded over the years. It is or is near the one-room house that cousin Alley Means lived in. He was the relative that shot the sheriff of San Patricio County during the turbulent times of the 1870's after the sheriff had killed his father, Colonel William Means. Alley was sentenced to prison, but then the Governor of Texas pardoned him because he said the sheriff needed killing. It probably helped that Alley’s father had served in Sam Houston's army at the Battle of San Jacinto and served as a congressman for the Republic of Texas with President Sam Houston and then later with President Anson Jones when the congress voted to be annexed by the United States. The Governor advised Alley Means not to return to his home in San Patricio, so Means and his brother moved to Leakey to raise cattle with their cousin, Texas Ranger R.P. Orrell. At that time Leakey was not only difficult to locate, but trail and road conditions were also a challenge. Located in a valley of the Texas hill country, it was home to a number of folks who did not want to be found. He and his brother are buried in the Orrell family plot at the Leakey cemetery.

The Ranch House is fully restored with 3 bedrooms plus a large sleeping room, 3 full baths, large living area with a new kitchen, dining, and den, and is located on the Cooper Maxwell Ranch with outstanding views of the hills and the valley. Enjoy hiking or biking, or fishing, swimming and tubing in the Frio River. From the yard or deck watch Native and Axis Deer, countless bird species, and other wild life. Imagine the cattle drives that took place here in the 1800's. The cattle were driven north on the "Western Trail" that paralleled the Chisholm Trail that ran through San Antonio about 100 miles to the east. The Chisholm Trail ended in Kansas and the Western Trail continued into Nebraska, Wyoming, and to the Yellow Stone River Valley in Montana.

Return to Main | The Orrell Homestead | About R.P. Orrell

The Buzz-Inn

Sleeps 2

Great for the overnight rest, the Buzz-Inn is a comfortable room and bath. Room includes two twin size beds, satellite TV, a kitchenette w/ microwave, toaster, refrigerator, sink, and a great view of the valley through a majestic forrest of trees. Walking distance to tarmac.