Patio Ranch Main Lodge
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Built during the depression by the employees of Dick Frederick, the main lodge at the Patio Ranch represents a masterful blend of Hill Country rock exterior and the arts and craft designs so prevalent in America in the 1930s. In the 1950s, the lodge was utilized by its then owner, General Eddie Rickenbacher, a World War II Ace and then President of Eastern Airlines as a destination resort for his friends to relax, hunt, play cards and escape the pressures of daily corporate life.

Each glance around the lodge, whether the exterior or interior, finds unique details in branding iron curtain rods, hand painted leaded glass windows showing Hill Country wildlife, mantel pieces adorned with arrowheads from the Patio Ranch and a bar whose stools are converted jockey saddles. The main floor of the lodge contains a complete kitchen, laundry room, dining room with ample seating for twelve and a game room/living room, containing two rock fireplaces, a pool table, card table and three separate seating areas furnished with WR Dallas furniture. In the second story, one finds accommodations for twelve broken into 4 separate bedroom suites, as well as an enclosed porch, which has been converted, into areas for conversation and games. While maintaining the architectural integrity of the original structure, the lodge has been updated to include central air and heat, new spacious baths and satellite capability in congregational areas and in each suite.

The exterior architectural details such as hand wrought iron peacock gates and storm doors adorned with spiders and their webs are a result of years of painstaking manual labor. The tranquility of the main lodge continues throughout its grounds which are punctuated with the concrete works of Dionicio Rodriguez (Gilbert Cortez's great uncle) who has been named a National Treasure. Ceramic mosaic tables for watching the sun set or for enjoying the sights and sounds of 175 running feet of stream bed emanating from a whimsical seal fountain, a wishing well and 8 foot ceramic mosaic urns created from the broken china services of the friends of Dick Frederick.

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Main hunting lodge


Master bedroom