Cool Acres is an extraordinary property less than 60 miles from downtown Houston. This beautiful retreat offers big river views with wide-open spaces under towering oaks and pecans for entertaining and outdoor recreation. The expansive compound is set up for family gatherings, hosting guests, celebrations or simply private moments. Multiple houses, outdoor patios, tennis courts, a swimming pool and playgrounds surround a central fishing lake, creating a wonderful outdoor activity center for all to enjoy.
Location:
The ranch is located south of Simonton, Texas. Just 20 minutes west of Highway 99. The property lies on the west side of the Brazos River and is easily reachable in under one hour from downtown Houston.
Habitat:
The property is one of the few that sits on a high bank of the river completely out of the flood plain and has views looking east and west along with huge hardwood trees scattered among rolling terrain along the river bank. The sandy loam soil makes for excellent equestrian and cattle operations. Water is a major attraction to this ranch, which includes over a half mile of Brazos River frontage, and a beautiful stocked pond “Lake Louise” surrounded by Cypress trees in the middle of the compound. Note; despite historic flooding over last several years, no improvements on the property were affected by the floods.
Improvements:
House #1: The original country house for a growing family, the main house was built in 1960. With 4 bedroom, 2 1⁄2 bath, this house sits on the highest point of the bluff with views up the Brazos River. Afternoon cocktails were customarily enjoyed on the “Sunset Terrace.” This patio provides the perfect place to sit and watch the world go by. There is a small room and bath attached to the carport(2,756 sq. ft.).
House #2: This housewas built for entertaining in 1976. The large family room centers around a fireplace and opens to a deck overlooking the river. It has 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths and an upstairs screened in sleeping porch with swinging beds that overlook the river and fire pit (3232 sq.ft.).
House #3: Built in 1982, #3 became the gathering place for the big family with a large great room and kitchen and pool table and has 5 bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms. This house also offers a deck with river views (3572 sq.ft.).
House #4: Built in 1982, The Texas House was featured in Architectural Digest and has charming tin ceiling in the kitchen, Stained Glass Texas Flag, wide front porch overlooking the lake and 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. The porch on house #4 offers wonderful sunset views (2166 sq.ft.).
Pool House and Swimming Pool: The pool house was built in 2010 and has 2 en-suite bedrooms with a covered porch overlooking the lake. There is an outdoor WC and outdoor shower adjacent to the swimming pool(800 sq.ft.).
Other Amenities:
Set between the bluff of the Brazos River and surrounding Lake Louise, the Cool Acres compound has all the fun amenities one would ever need to entertain and spend breezy days under the canopy of live oaks and cypress trees, including a kids playground with swings, slide, round-about and teeter totters salvaged from the Galvez Hotel. There is a firepit located just to the north of Lake Louse – perfect for roasting hot dogs, s’mores and family sing-a-longs.
Tennis Courts: The 2 Laykold tennis courts have a covered pergola and is a fun site for the tennis matches of the Catfish Cup, a favorite annual event of the current owner’s family.
The “Roller Rink” Pavillion: This paved pavilion, originally built as an old-fashhioned country roller skating rink, has a full kitchen and 2 bathrooms for easy entertaining. This is the perfect location for a barbeque, Brazos catfish fry or country dances.
The Caboose: The Cool Acres Express was salvaged from a railroad line near Orchard, Texas. It is a fun conversation piece, party center or place for children to play while adults sit on the deck overlooking the playground.
The Old Orchard Texas Post Office: The gem was moved from downtown Orchard and converted into a play school house for all the grandchildren, miniature desks included.
The Party Pavilion: Sits across the road from the Roller rink and sets up with picnic tables.
The Pin Oak Band Stand: This pavillion is the original band and reviewing stand for Houston’s Pin Oak Charity Horse Show. Another lovely venue to gather for picnics, drinks or to watch the world go by.
The Gypsy Wagon: This painted wagon was originally in the “circus collection” of Mayor of Houston, Judge Roy Hofheinz. Children are entertained for hours here.
There are two other houses on the property: Foreman’s house and a Ranch house (1,765 sq.ft. and 1398 sq ft.).
The Barn has 3 stalls and turnout attached.
Detailed square footages and floor-plans are available as well.
Minerals: Surface only, No minerals are available.
Flood Plain: About 10% of the property is in the 100 year flood plain. No structures were flooded during Harvey.
Cool Acres - Fort Bend County, Orchard, TX
Cool Acres - Fort Bend County, Orchard, TX
Cool Acres is an extraordinary property less than 60 miles from downtown Houston. This beautiful retreat offers big river views with wide-open spaces under towering oaks and pecans for entertaining and outdoor recreation. The expansive compound is set up for family gatherings, hosting guests, celebrations or simply private moments. Multiple houses, outdoor patios, tennis courts, a swimming pool and playgrounds surround a central fishing lake, creating a wonderful outdoor activity center for all to enjoy.
Location:
The ranch is located south of Simonton, Texas. Just 20 minutes west of Highway 99. The property lies on the west side of the Brazos River and is easily reachable in under one hour from downtown Houston.
Habitat:
The property is one of the few that sits on a high bank of the river completely out of the flood plain and has views looking east and west along with huge hardwood trees scattered among rolling terrain along the river bank. The sandy loam soil makes for excellent equestrian and cattle operations. Water is a major attraction to this ranch, which includes over a half mile of Brazos River frontage, and a beautiful stocked pond “Lake Louise” surrounded by Cypress trees in the middle of the compound. Note; despite historic flooding over last several years, no improvements on the property were affected by the floods.
Improvements:
House #1: The original country house for a growing family, the main house was built in 1960. With 4 bedroom, 2 1⁄2 bath, this house sits on the highest point of the bluff with views up the Brazos River. Afternoon cocktails were customarily enjoyed on the “Sunset Terrace.” This patio provides the perfect place to sit and watch the world go by. There is a small room and bath attached to the carport(2,756 sq. ft.).
House #2: This housewas built for entertaining in 1976. The large family room centers around a fireplace and opens to a deck overlooking the river. It has 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths and an upstairs screened in sleeping porch with swinging beds that overlook the river and fire pit (3232 sq.ft.).
House #3: Built in 1982, #3 became the gathering place for the big family with a large great room and kitchen and pool table and has 5 bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms. This house also offers a deck with river views (3572 sq.ft.).
House #4: Built in 1982, The Texas House was featured in Architectural Digest and has charming tin ceiling in the kitchen, Stained Glass Texas Flag, wide front porch overlooking the lake and 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. The porch on house #4 offers wonderful sunset views (2166 sq.ft.).
Pool House and Swimming Pool: The pool house was built in 2010 and has 2 en-suite bedrooms with a covered porch overlooking the lake. There is an outdoor WC and outdoor shower adjacent to the swimming pool(800 sq.ft.).
Other Amenities:
Set between the bluff of the Brazos River and surrounding Lake Louise, the Cool Acres compound has all the fun amenities one would ever need to entertain and spend breezy days under the canopy of live oaks and cypress trees, including a kids playground with swings, slide, round-about and teeter totters salvaged from the Galvez Hotel. There is a firepit located just to the north of Lake Louse – perfect for roasting hot dogs, s’mores and family sing-a-longs.
Tennis Courts: The 2 Laykold tennis courts have a covered pergola and is a fun site for the tennis matches of the Catfish Cup, a favorite annual event of the current owner’s family.
The “Roller Rink” Pavillion: This paved pavilion, originally built as an old-fashhioned country roller skating rink, has a full kitchen and 2 bathrooms for easy entertaining. This is the perfect location for a barbeque, Brazos catfish fry or country dances.
The Caboose: The Cool Acres Express was salvaged from a railroad line near Orchard, Texas. It is a fun conversation piece, party center or place for children to play while adults sit on the deck overlooking the playground.
The Old Orchard Texas Post Office: The gem was moved from downtown Orchard and converted into a play school house for all the grandchildren, miniature desks included.
The Party Pavilion: Sits across the road from the Roller rink and sets up with picnic tables.
The Pin Oak Band Stand: This pavillion is the original band and reviewing stand for Houston’s Pin Oak Charity Horse Show. Another lovely venue to gather for picnics, drinks or to watch the world go by.
The Gypsy Wagon: This painted wagon was originally in the “circus collection” of Mayor of Houston, Judge Roy Hofheinz. Children are entertained for hours here.
There are two other houses on the property: Foreman’s house and a Ranch house (1,765 sq.ft. and 1398 sq ft.).
The Barn has 3 stalls and turnout attached.
Detailed square footages and floor-plans are available as well.
Minerals: Surface only, No minerals are available.
Flood Plain: About 10% of the property is in the 100 year flood plain. No structures were flooded during Harvey.
