Historic Home Site and The Giffords
About the Gifford Family
The Home of Pete & Beth Gifford
Pete Gifford’s Legacy Preserved at Wolf Run Ranch
Historic Texas Farmstead
Wolf Run currently includes 165 acres of beautiful hills, woods, creeks, and a lake. The property has been developed into a vintage mid-19th century Texas farmstead, with a historic ranch house, barn, and split rail fences. The house was built with Granbury limestone, typical of German construction in Texas during the 1850's, and the frame cabin design more typical of East Texas.
The home was hand-built with pine beams, and limestone makes up the foundation, chimneys, and walkways. "As we began designing the house, we began collecting antiques of the mid-19th century period as well as many of the tools used by the early Texas settlers," Pete Gifford said.
The Gifford home is a virtual living museum to Texas history, featuring hand-loomed rugs and an extensive collection of 19th-century tin lanterns, pottery, and leather-bound books. The barn features a historic ranch workshop featuring Pete Gifford's vast collection of antique tools. Wooden pegs and old tools were used to complete the structure in the most authentic manner possible.
The newer facilities at Wolf Run were designed by architect Keith Downing of Dallas, who also designed the Gifford home and barn. They include a main lodge with a dining hall, kitchen, and meeting rooms set on a hillside overlooking Wolf Run Creek and the woods below. Two bunkhouses are part of the complex accommodate a full grade level. Below the main lodge lies an outdoor chapel which is also used for group meetings, retreats, and services.
