T. Boone Pickens puts massive Mesa Vista Ranch up for sale

T. Boone Pickens is an 89-year-old oil tycoon who has given a large chunk of his fortune to philanthropy

A former billionaire oil tycoon who gave away a chunk of his fortune to philanthropy is putting his 65,000-acre Texas ranch up for sale on Wednesday – with an asking price of $250million.

T. Boone Pickens announced on LinkedIn that he was selling his most prized possession – the Mesa Vista Ranch, which is otherwise known as ‘the oasis in the Texas Panhandle.’

The massive complex, which is located 90 miles northeast of Amarillo, Texas, is 101 square miles.

It includes mesas, man-made lakes, rivers, and pristine wildlife habitat, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Pickens, 89, is eager to sell because of his advanced age and his failing health. He is said to have sight problems and his hearing is failing.

Now, the man who made his fortune by buying up oil companies says he will only sell to a buyer who is committed to preserving the ranch’s unique natural landscape.

‘Selling the ranch is the prudent thing for an 89-year-old man to do,’ Pickens wrote on LinkedIn.

‘Slowly but inevitably, my fading vision and limited hearing have forced me to give up things I’ve loved and excelled at — golf and hunting, in particular,’ he writes.

‘Although the beauty of Mesa Vista remains intact, the ranch roads I have driven thousands of times are now blurred. It’s time to embrace and accept that my life has changed.

Pickens announced on Wednesday that he is putting his 65,000-acre Texas ranch up for sale on Wednesday – with an asking price of $250million

Pickens announced on Wednesday that he is putting his 65,000-acre Texas ranch up for sale on Wednesday – with an asking price of $250million

The Mesa Vista Ranch, which is otherwise known as ‘the oasis in the Texas Panhandle,’ is Pickens' most prized possession

The Mesa Vista Ranch, which is otherwise known as ‘the oasis in the Texas Panhandle,’ is Pickens’ most prized possession

‘It’s time to get my life and my affairs in order. There are many reasons why the time is right to sell the ranch now, not the least of them ensuring that what I truly believe is one of the most magnificent properties in the world winds up with an individual or entity that shares my conservation ethic.’

Though at one point he was said to be worth in excess of $1billion, Pickens’ latest reported net worth has dropped to $500million.

Pickens has given away huge sums of money to educational and philanthropic causes.

Though at one point he was said to be worth in excess of $1billion, Pickens’ latest reported net worth has dropped to $500million

Though at one point he was said to be worth in excess of $1billion, Pickens’ latest reported net worth has dropped to $500million

Pickens has given away huge sums of money to educational and philanthropic causes

Pickens has given away huge sums of money to educational and philanthropic causes

His ranch also includes a 6,000-foot-long runway - with an airplane hangar at the end of it to house private jets

His ranch also includes a 6,000-foot-long runway – with an airplane hangar at the end of it to house private jets

Pickens announced on LinkedIn that he was selling the ranch, which is his most prized possession

Pickens announced on LinkedIn that he was selling the ranch, which is his most prized possession

The image above shows a wine cellar in the basement of the 12,500-square-foot Lake House in the Mesa Vista Ranch

The image above shows a wine cellar in the basement of the 12,500-square-foot Lake House in the Mesa Vista Ranch

‘Selling the ranch is the prudent thing for an 89-year-old man to do,’ Pickens wrote on LinkedIn

‘Selling the ranch is the prudent thing for an 89-year-old man to do,’ Pickens wrote on LinkedIn

Pickens, 89, is eager to sell because of his advanced age and his failing health. He is said to have sight problems and his hearing is failing

Pickens, 89, is eager to sell because of his advanced age and his failing health. He is said to have sight problems and his hearing is failing

‘Slowly but inevitably, my fading vision and limited hearing have forced me to give up things I’ve loved and excelled at — golf and hunting, in particular,’ he writes

‘Slowly but inevitably, my fading vision and limited hearing have forced me to give up things I’ve loved and excelled at — golf and hunting, in particular,’ he writes

‘Although the beauty of Mesa Vista remains intact, the ranch roads I have driven thousands of times are now blurred,' Pickens writes of his decision to sell the ranch. 'It’s time to embrace and accept that my life has changed'

‘Although the beauty of Mesa Vista remains intact, the ranch roads I have driven thousands of times are now blurred,’ Pickens writes of his decision to sell the ranch. ‘It’s time to embrace and accept that my life has changed’

The ranch also includes a 30-seat movie theater for entertainment. Pickens says that the money he makes from the sale of Mesa Vista will benefit the T. Boone Pickens Foundation, a charity that gives funds to a variety of philanthropic causes

The ranch also includes a 30-seat movie theater for entertainment. Pickens says that the money he makes from the sale of Mesa Vista will benefit the T. Boone Pickens Foundation, a charity that gives funds to a variety of philanthropic causes

He says that the money he makes from the sale of Mesa Vista will benefit the T. Boone Pickens Foundation, a charity that gives funds to a variety of philanthropic causes.

‘I see this sale as a new beginning – for the Mesa Vista’s new owners and for the recipients of my charitable giving,’ Pickens wrote.

In 1971, Pickens, who was 43 years old at the time, bought a 2,926-acre tract of land along the southern bank of the Canadian River in Roberts County, Texas.

Since then, he has expanded the property’s boundaries, adding 20 miles of creeks and lakes and over $100million worth of improvements, according to Architectural Digest.

In 1971, Pickens, who was 43 years old at the time, bought a 2,926-acre tract of land along the southern bank of the Canadian River in Roberts County, Texas

In 1971, Pickens, who was 43 years old at the time, bought a 2,926-acre tract of land along the southern bank of the Canadian River in Roberts County, Texas

Since then, he has expanded the property’s boundaries, adding 20 miles of creeks and lakes and over $100million worth of improvements

Since then, he has expanded the property’s boundaries, adding 20 miles of creeks and lakes and over $100million worth of improvements

One of the creeks is seen in the above photo. Some of those improvements Pickens made over the years included the replacement of over 20,000 trees

One of the creeks is seen in the above photo. Some of those improvements Pickens made over the years included the replacement of over 20,000 trees

Pickens said he will only sell the ranch to a buyer who is committed to nature conservation

Pickens said he will only sell the ranch to a buyer who is committed to nature conservation

'There are many reasons why the time is right to sell the ranch now, not the least of them ensuring that what I truly believe is one of the most magnificent properties in the world winds up with an individual or entity that shares my conservation ethic,' he writes

‘There are many reasons why the time is right to sell the ranch now, not the least of them ensuring that what I truly believe is one of the most magnificent properties in the world winds up with an individual or entity that shares my conservation ethic,’ he writes

The property is offered "jointly and exclusively" by Hall and Hall & Chas. S. Middleton and Son

The property is offered “jointly and exclusively” by Hall and Hall & Chas. S. Middleton and Son

If that's not enough, there's also a tennis court with lights so that it could be illuminated at night; a skeet/trap range

If that’s not enough, there’s also a tennis court with lights so that it could be illuminated at night; a skeet/trap range

The ranch is located near the town of Miami, Texas - not far from the border that separates the Lone Star State and Oklahoma 

The ranch is located near the town of Miami, Texas – not far from the border that separates the Lone Star State and Oklahoma 

This photo taken May 30, 2017, shows Pickens visiting some of the dozens of hunting dogs at his kennels

This photo taken May 30, 2017, shows Pickens visiting some of the dozens of hunting dogs at his kennels

The unique property also includes mesas, man-made lakes, rivers, and pristine wildlife habitat

The unique property also includes mesas, man-made lakes, rivers, and pristine wildlife habitat

A separate gate house is 1,700 square feet. Let's not forget the two-story pub and the 30-seat movie theater

A separate gate house is 1,700 square feet. Let’s not forget the two-story pub and the 30-seat movie theater

Pickens' ranch also includes a small golf course with two fairways and greens and nine tee boxes

Pickens’ ranch also includes a small golf course with two fairways and greens and nine tee boxes

The lake house features 12,000 square feet of living space with 4,000 square feet of porches. There is also a lodge that measures 33,000 square feet and includes seven bedrooms for guests

The lake house features 12,000 square feet of living space with 4,000 square feet of porches. There is also a lodge that measures 33,000 square feet and includes seven bedrooms for guests

The lake house features 12,000 square feet of living space with 4,000 square feet of porches. There is also a lodge that measures 33,000 square feet and includes seven bedrooms for guests

Some of those improvements included the replacement of over 20,000 trees. 

‘My permit allows me to produce enough water a year to satisfy a town of 75,000,’ he told AD.

The lake house features 12,000 square feet of living space with 4,000 square feet of porches.

There is also a lodge that measures 33,000 square feet and includes seven bedrooms for guests.

Pickens also built a five-bedroom family house that spans 6,000 square feet.

A separate gate house is 1,700 square feet. Let’s not forget the two-story pub and the 30-seat movie theater.

If that’s not enough, there’s also a tennis court with lights so that it could be illuminated at night; a skeet/trap range; a small golf course with two fairways and greens and nine tee boxes.

The property has its own 6,000-foot long runway and hangar for airplanes. 



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