Name/Title
Prade Ranch “Last Day” [Postal Card]Description
A “Last Day” postal card postmarked on June 30, 1954 and signed by the postmaster (on the back), Helen Prade, on the final day of business of the Prade Ranch Post Office.Context
Prade Ranch, located on the West Frio River and Farm Road 336 north of Leakey in north central Real County, was the first resort ranch in the county; it foreshadowed the later importance of tourism to the local economy. Its 10,000 acres include some of the most scenic land in the Hill Country. In 1926, during the administration of Governor Pat Neff, the state of Texas had an option to buy the ranch for a state park but declined because the location was remote. The site was converted to a resort ranch in 1935 by E. T. Prade. A United States post office was established there on May 22, 1940, and operated until June 30, 1954, when it became a rural post office.