View source for Taylor-Stevenson Ranch

{{Infobox museum
| name                = '''Taylor-Stevenson Ranch''' 
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'''Taylor-Stevenson Ranch''' is an historic 640-acre working ranch located near [[Reliant Stadium]] on Almeda Rd. in [[Houston, TX]].<ref name=HC>{{cite web|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/native-texan/article/Historic-ranch-lies-in-Houston-s-shadow-4638390.php | title=Historic Ranch Lies In Houston's Shadow | last=Holley |first=Joe| publisher=Houston Chronicle |date=29 June 2013}}</ref> The ranch was officially designated in the [[Congressional Record]] as a "[[Century ranch|Texas Century Ranch]]" which recognizes ownership by the same family for over a century.<ref name=CR>{{cite journal|title=Honoring Mollie Taylor Stevenson Sr. and Mollie Taylor Stevenson Jr.  |journal=Congressional Record-Extension of Remarks |last=Bentson |first=Ken| page=3325|volume=148|date=11 March 2002}}</ref> It was also recognized as the only African-American owned ranch in Texas with the century ranch designation.<ref name=CR/>

The ranch was originally purchased in 1875 by Edward Ruthven Taylor at the persuasion of Ann George, who was one of the family's former slaves charged with overseeing Edward during his illness. The two fell in love and lived openly together as husband and wife, although they never officially married because at that time interracial marriage was a violation of Texas law.<ref name=HOU>{{cite web|url=http://www.houstontx.gov/parks/parksites/anntaylorpark.html | title=E.R. Ann Taylor Park |publisher=City of Houston | accessdate=9 May 2017}}</ref> They raised six children, all of whom received a college education. Their granddaughter, Mollie Taylor Stevenson Sr. (1911-2003), a graduate of [[Fisk University]], and her daughter, [[Mollie Taylor Stevenson Jr.]], (1946), who attended [[Texas Southern University]], were both inducted into the [[National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame]] in 2001, the first living African-American women to receive the honor.<ref name=HoFSr>{{cite web|url=http://www.cowgirl.net/portfolios/mollie-taylor-stevenson-sr/ | title=Mollie Taylor Stevenson, Sr. | publisher=Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame | date=2001 | accessdate=11 May 2017}}</ref><ref name=HoFJr>{{cite web|url=http://www.cowgirl.net/portfolios/mollie-taylor-stevenson-jr/ | title=Mollie Taylor Stevenson, Jr. | publisher=Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame | date=2001 | accessdate=11 May 2017}}</ref>

==History==
In 1862, 16-year-old Edward Taylor (1845-1924) joined [[Waul's Legion|Waul's Texas Legion]], a unit in the [[Confederate Army]] that originated in [[Brenham, TX]].<ref name=HC/> Edward was captured during the [[Battle of Vicksburg]], and while being held prisoner, he contracted [[tuberculosis]], or [[Consumption (disease)|consumption]] as it was called in the 1800s.  After his release from prison and discharge from further service in the army, he returned home to his parents, Aaroline and Edward Wyllys Taylor.  Edward's parents had moved from Massachusetts to Texas sometime during the 1840s, and settled in Houston on land that became the site of the [[Wortham Theater Center|Wortham Center]].  E.W. Taylor was a prominent 19th-century merchant who had served many years as president of the [[Houston Cotton Exchange|Houston Cotton Exchange Board]],<ref name=HC/> and also brokered in slave trade.<ref name=PhDTree>{{cite web|url=http://phdtree.org/pdf/23467539-historical-sociological-study-of-the-taboo-interracial-relationship-of-edward-ruthven-taylor-slave-brokers-son-and-ann-george-taylor-former-s/ | title=Historical Sociological Study Of The Taboo Interracial Relationship Of Edward Ruthven Taylor, Slave Broker's Son, And Ann (George) Taylor, Former Slave, In Houston, Texas| last=Stevenson |first=Beverly J. | work=PhD Dissertation Fielding Graduate University | date=2013|accessdate=9 May 2017}}</ref>

Ann George, a 21-year-old black slave who was purchased by Edward Wyllys in 1856, was charged with overseeing young Edward's care.<ref name=HC/> She nurtured him back to good health<ref name=HPB>{{cite web|url=http://houstonparksboard.org/projects/past/er_and_ann_taylor_park/ | title=E.R. and Ann Taylor Park, 1850 Reed, 77051|publisher=Houston Parks Board|accessdate=9 May 2017}}</ref> and over time, the two fell in love. During the Civil War era, interracial marriage in Texas was not only illegal, it was dangerous for interracial couples to live under the same roof.<ref name=HC/><ref name=HOU/> Despite the risks, Edward and Ann were unofficially married, and chose to live openly as husband and wife. 

In 1875, Ann persuaded Edward to purchase land south of town in [[Pierce Junction]],<ref name=HPB/> now known as the Taylor-Stevenson Ranch, where they could raise hay, livestock, and farm the land. They raised six children,<ref name=HPB/> all of whom were among the first African-Americans in Texas to receive a college education.<ref name=HC/> It was three decades after their initial purchase that Edward first discovered oil under his land. By 1921, a producing oil well had been drilled by [[Hugh Roy Cullen]] on what became known as the Pierce Junction field.<ref name=HOU/> Of further historic significance, drilling the Pierce Junction field led to an innovative new drill bit designed by [[Hughes Tool Company]] that could drill through rock.<ref name=HOU/>

In 1946, aviators [[Azellia White]], Hulon "Pappy" White, Ben Stevenson, and Elton "Ray" Thomas opened the Sky Ranch Flying Service on the property.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.americancowboymuseum.org/programs--events|title=Sky Ranch Flying Service|date=2013|website=American Cowboy Museum|access-date=18 January 2019}}</ref>  Stevenson, Thomas, and Hulon White were [[Tuskegee Airmen]], while Azellia White was the first [[African Americans|African-American]] woman to get her private pilot's license in [[Texas]].<ref name=":0" />  The Sky Ranch Flying Service provided flying lessons and charter flights.<ref name=":0" />  It included a commercial airport used by African-American aviators, which had three runways up to 2,200 feet in length.<ref name=":0" />  The service closed when new restrictions on the use of the [[G.I. Bill]] caused a decline in customers.<ref name=":0" />

==American Cowboy Museum==
The American Cowboy Museum is located on the Taylor-Stevenson Ranch. Established in 1988 by Mollie Taylor Stevenson Jr., the museum is focused on the art, history, and culture of the contributions of African Americans, Hispanic, Native Americans, and women to the development of the [[American West]].<ref>{{cite web|title=2012-2013 Hall of Fame Inductee Mollie Taylor Stevenson, Jr., Texas|url=http://www.cowboysofcolor.org/profile.php?ID=95|publisher=National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum|accessdate=16 August 2017}}</ref> Displays include fine art and posters, and historic papers and photographs related to the ranch.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mollie Stevenson, Jr.: Multicultural Ranching History Preserved|url=https://www.americancowboy.com/ranch-life-archive/mollie-stevenson-jr|publisher=American Cowboy|accessdate=16 August 2017|date=November 11, 2009}}</ref> Other exhibits include [[cowboy]] gear and memorabilia, including [[saddle]]s, [[spur]]s, hats, [[chaps]], boots and other cowboy items. Outdoor displays of ranch equipment include tractors, plows, cultivators and planters. 

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.americancowboymuseum.org American Cowboy Museum]

{{coord missing|Texas}}

[[Category:Ranches in Texas]]
[[Category:African-American history of Texas]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Houston]]
[[Category:Historic farms in the United States]]
[[Category:History of Houston]]
[[Category:1875 establishments in Texas]]
[[Category:Century farms]]