Location
2000 US-287
Clarendon, TX 79226
806-944-5591 for general information
806-205-2607 for group tours of 10 or more
Contact us
See map
Hours
Tuesday to Saturday
10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Guided House Tours
11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm
Tickets
Adult $5
Senior/Veteran/Teacher/First Responder $3
Child (6-17) $2
Child (5 and under) Free
Family (2 adults & 1 child) $8, each additional child $1
Programs
Public Tours
Living History Programs
Special Events
School Programs
Charles Goodnight co-founded the JA Ranch in 1876, the first cattle ranch in the Texas Panhandle. In 1887, he built a Victorian home for his new venture, the Goodnight-Thayer Cattle Company. His wife Mary Ann helped run the ranch and preserve American bison. Today, the restored home features a spacious second-floor porch overlooking descendants of the Goodnights' original bison herd.
See the Site
Plan Your Visit
Peer into pioneer prairie life during a tour of the Charles and Mary Ann Goodnight historic home.
Goodnight Ranch History
Charles Foxwing Goodnight was born March 5, 1836, on the family farm in Macoupin County, Illinois.
Support the Friends of Goodnight Ranch
Friends of Goodnight Ranch is a "Fiscally Sponsored Project" of the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission (a 501(C)(3) nonprofit charitable organization). Your gift will directly support this organization.
Events at Goodnight Ranch
Echoes of the Herd: Saving the Southern Plains Bison
Saturday 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.Join us at Goodnight Ranch on Saturday, June 6th, at 11 am for a free Texas America 250 program. Discover how the Goodnights demonstrated patriotism through their conservation of the Southern Plains Bison and reconciliation with Native American cultures in the Texas Panhandle. Afterward, go on a self-guided tour of the Goodnight house! Do not forget to wear red, white, and blue for this special occasion! This event is presented as part of Texas America250, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The Blessings of Liberty: America's Founding Ideas and Their Significance Today
Saturday 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.Dr. Shaffer, Professor of History at West Texas A&M University, will be visiting the Goodnight Ranch to reflect on our nation's 250th anniversary and its connection to our region. In Dr. Shaffer’s own words, “The United States is a creedal nation, a country founded on ideas laid out in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Even before the Revolution, Americans saw themselves as a special people. John Winthrop described New England as a "city upon a hill" and told his followers that the world was watching them. That idea has been carried down throughout our history and was echoed by leaders like Lincoln and Reagan. The War for Independence was waged largely for ideological reasons, as American Patriots argued that the British government was taking away their sacred natural rights. To describe the new nation to the world, Jefferson wrote the Declaration, famously declaring that all men were created equal. These ideas are codified in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, which creates a democratic republic and enshrines the fundamental rights of the people. While it is true that we have not always lived up to our founding ideas, they still guide us as we celebrate our 250th anniversary. Charles and Molly Goodnight carried these ideas with them when they settled the Panhandle in the late 19th century. They were heirs to this creed, as are we. The founding ideas are our legacy and our most important inheritance.” This FREE lecture will be followed by a self-guided tour of the Goodnight Home. This event is presented as part of Texas America250, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Home on the Range: The Goodnight Legacy
Saturday 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.In celebration of America 250, Goodnight Ranch is hosting a FREE program that explores the legacy of Charles and Mary Ann Goodnight. Their vision, generosity, and resilience helped shape not only the town of Goodnight but also other pioneer communities in the Texas Panhandle. Come hear how they helped other Texans build the state and nation we call home today. The program will be followed by a self-guided house tour. Do not forget to wear red, white, and blue! This event is presented as part of Texas America250, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Support Our Historic Sites
Make a gift to the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to supporting the historic sites of the THC.
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