By Melissa Blair
In the heart of Comal County, Texas, lies a hidden gem known as Honey Creek Spring Ranch. Its rich history spans generations, with the fifth-generation landowners, Joyce Moore and her sister Cindy Martinez, as the current stewards of this historic property. Joyce’s son, Josh, is already playing a pivotal role on the ranch as well, ready to become the sixth generation to manage these lands.
"Honey Creek Spring Ranch has been in our family for over 140 years. It's not just a piece of property, it's a part of who we are,” says Moore.
A remarkable cedar log house has withstood the tests of time, as well as a resilient stone chapel built in 1878 that sits on a ridge overlooking western Comal County. An old pumphouse built with limestone and concrete stands tall where they once kept milk and eggs and stored water. Moore describes all the structures, which she hopes to restore, as “works in progress.”
Moore reminisces about her ancestors' resilience as well. She recalls the family grew corn, milo, hay grazer, oats, and sugar cane; and produced their own milk, eggs, and vegetables.