Location: Goliad, South Texas Plains, Texas, USA (90 mi SE of San Antonio, 65 mi N of Corpus Christi) View Map
Accommodations: House, 4 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 4 Baths (Sleeps 11-14)
Looking for a quiet retreat to get away from it all? Let us help you plan that escape! Come, relax, explore and birdwatch on our 706 acre working ranch while staying in the rustic luxury of our restored 19th Century guest house. You set the pace. From meditation to exhilarating mountain biking through the many trails on the ranch. Rock on the large porch catching SE breezes, be amused by miniature donkeys grazing and playing in the pastures, reflect on the rising or setting sun and moon. Read, play games, dine - or just commune by the fireplace in the comfortable living room under the light of our 18th century chandelier. Family time could not be better with our modern kitchen and comfortable living room. The kitchen is stocked with coffees, teas, spices, cookware and utensils, dishes and napkins. Four couples or a couple of families can comfortably share the communal space. Romance in the privacy of the large Jane Long suite while bathing in the double bathtub under the reflective prism lights of a Waterford chandelier and cozy up to the private in-suite fireplace. Unwind under the stars by the firepit at night.
The Historic Maetze-von Dohlen home was built in 1877 in Goliad Texas and was moved to its new home at the Barnhart Q5 Ranch, just north of Berclair TX, halfway between Goliad and Beeville. Lovingly restored, pine walls, 12 foot ceilings, fireplaces and 6 foot windows with panoramic views make this an ideal setting for a romantic weekend or family vacation.
The Barnhart Q5 Ranch was awarded Texas Parks & Wildlife's Lone Star Land Steward Award in 2004 and has over 18 miles of hike and bike trails through its rolling hills of South Texas brush country. Our native grasses provide wildlife feed year-round and wildlife viewing and photography blinds are provided at each of our 8 ponds. Located within the migratory path, birdwatchers can see large numbers of green jay, bunting, raptors, heron, ibis, hummingbird, and more. Deer, Bobwhite quail, dove, turkey, and the occasional bobcat can be sighted. The night sky is black and loaded with stars. Grab your pillows and head for the high point on stargazer hill for fabulous stargazing while coyote serenade you. Bring your own horses - stabling fees at $25./night per.
Plan your trip around one of Goliad's special events - monthly Market Days, Missions Tour de Goliad bike ride, Texas Mile, the Living History programs, and Christmas in Goliad to name a few. Goliad is a premier Texas historic destination, with its Presidio La Bahia, the oldest Spanish fort in existence today, it is the birthplace of General Ignacio Zaragoza, and home to Goliad State Park built around the Mission Espiritu Santo. Downtown Goliad features the Market House Museum and Courthouse Square with fabulous shopping and award winning restaurants, as well as beautiful architecture dating back to the early 1800's. The Goliad Golf Club is open to you, as is the "family friendly" Coleto Creek Park & Reservoir where trophy bass are being caught regularly. Just 8 miles down the road from the ranch is the Berclair Mansion, available for tours, and the fabulous Terrell Hall Restaurant featuring Texas' best steaks and seafood dinners!
SPECIAL NOTE: The Barnhart Q5 Ranch Retreat is located on a working South Texas ranch. For the uninitiated, those few words have a lot of meaning. First, we are not offering our guests "Hilton-esque" accomodations. We are a natural facility. Guests here could have unique encounters with our rural residents: field mice, honey bees, yellow jackets, skunks, snakes and other natural residents call the ranch home and help us maintain a balanced natural ecosystem. Next, someone once said that everything which bites, sticks or scratches must live in South Texas! Our ecosystem does consist of a variety of thorny bushes, trees, and cactus that have been sculpted to provide habitat for the thousands of birds, hundreds of mammals and reptiles that live here.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer
- Wood Fireplace (2)
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Double Bed
- Twin/Single Bed
- Convertible Bed
- Entertainment
- VCR
- CD Player
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Shared Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- Catering Available
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- Lanai
- Communications
- Telephone
- Computer
- Broadband Internet
- Other Amenities
- Internet available at office, firepit,stargazing
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly: $25. fee per pet, per visit
- Wheelchair Accessible (may have limitations)
- Kid Friendly
- Smoking Not Allowed: Smoking is allowed on covered porches, ashtrays provided
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Rafting
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Jet Skiing
- Swimming
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Horseshoes
- Horseback Riding
- Other Activities
- Photography blinds, nature hikes, miniature donkey grooming, cattle rustling!
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Jane Long Suite w/private bath w/Double Jacuzzi ...... $150/night.
Francisca Alavez Suite w/private bath/shower ..........$ 99/night.
General Ignacio Zaragoza Suite w/private tub-shower .. $ 99/night.
Bird House: Separate house w/bath and kitchenette .... $ 99./night.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Escape to Your Quiet Ranch Retreat!
Year Purchased: 2006
Why the Owner Chose Goliad
Our family ranch, located in historic Goliad County, Texas near the small town of Berclair, is a place of natural beauty. The South Texas sunrises, sunsets and dark night skies are breathtaking. My father and I live on the ranch and wanted to share this place with guests so they could have the opportunity to experience these things, and see how a South Texas ranch operates. We purchased the 1877 Maetze von Dohlen home, originally located in Goliad, and moved it to the ranch property in 2005, restored it, and make it available to guests to enjoy the ranch.
The Unique Benefits at this House
We are within the migratory path of the hummingbirds and other wonderful bird and butterfly species. While here visitors are encouraged to relax and explore the 706-acres of the ranch - hike and bike 18 miles of trails, or bring your own horses and ride the trails, participate in ranching operations, set up in our photographic blinds at the various water sources around the property. We raise Mediterranean Miniature Donkeys and cattle. Our donkeys are social animals who love attention!
Owner's Map of Goliad
Claire Barnhart and W. Lee O'Daniels visit the Mission Espiritu Santo in Goliad, TX.
Property Photos
- Maetze von-Dohlen (l) and Bird House (r) - Texas Vacation Rental
- Maetze porch and outside patio - Texas Vacation Rental
- Living Room fireplace and view into kitchen - Texas Vacation Rental
- Gen. Zaragoza suite - 2 twins, plus private bath/shower
- Jane Long suite - queen plus twin beds, oversized tub in private bath
- View of Jane Long twin bed and bath area
- Francesca Alavez suite - double plus twin, private bath with shower
- Photo blind at Indian Creek Pond
Guest Comments (7)
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #90994
There have been 25804 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2006.
This listing was first published here in 2006.
Date last modified - October 21, 2009


Positive Rating
Russell Ward , Goliad
Positive Rating
What can we say? We loved everything and cannot wait until we have an occasion to return! Thank you for your generous hospitality, and we will see you again soon. Kevin & Jessica
Positive Rating
Michael Clark , Houston, TX
Positive Rating
Sheila Hale , Creswell, Oregon
Positive Rating
Laverne & Jack Lee , Mason TX
Positive Rating
Shane & Kathy Mondin , Lockhart, TX
Positive Rating
This property opened for its first guests in May 2006. We welcome comments from those who visit!