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The Fite Ranch is a high desert expanse of 31,801.39 total acres. It is comprised of 5,253.39 deeded acres, 190.17 New Mexico State Lease acres, 21,878 federal BLM acres and 4,480 acres more or less of White Sands Missile Range free use rangeland.
The ranch is located in Socorro County, New Mexico, 20 miles southeast of Socorro, population 9,000. Socorro County is centrally located in the State of New Mexico. Socorro is a one hour's drive south of Albuquerque and a 2 hour's drive north from Las Cruces/El Paso and south from Santa Fe. Ten miles south from Socorro is San Antonio on the Rio Grande. This community is at the cross roads of I-25 and U.S. Highway 380 and the site of the Buckhorn Salon and Owl Bar, both which stake a claim to the best "Green Chile Cheese Burger of the World" - you decide!
The Fite Ranch is located just 7 miles east of the Rio Grande accessed off U.S. Highway 380 at the old mining site of Old Carthage and Tokay where the Kinney Coal Mine was established in 1916. Ruins of the mining community which grew to 600 people by 1947 remain as evidence of this once thriving industry now utilized as a cattle ranch. Long before the miners and ranchers were the Native Americans and Spanish explorers. This semi-arid high desert community is within the northern extension of the vast Chihuahuan desert and within the route of the Jornado Del Muerto. This sparsely populated area is thriving with a very diverse wildlife community. Adjoining the Fite Ranch western boundary is the prolific and tranquil Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Along the eastern flank of the ranch are the vast high tech White Sands Missile Range and the nearby Trinity Site.
The central location of the Fite Ranch offers easy day trips to the Elephant Butte Reservoir and T or C, The Very Large Arraya (VLA) at Magdalena, Ski Apache, and the Ruidoso Downs at Ruidoso. These are just a few of many nearby attractions. These off ranch recreation and tourism opportunities provide the Fite Ranch the additional business of the Fite Ranch Bed and Breakfast. The owners have developed a thriving business, www.fiteranchbedandbreakfast.com. The bed and breakfast operation utilizes one of the original mine barracks remolded into four self contained apartments for guest quarters. Each apartment is uniquely decorated with private bath, bedroom, living room and kitchen. These apartments are inviting, comfortable and cozy. Each has private entry and share a community porch area. For larger groups the ranch has a 2 bedroom, one bath, bunkhouse with full kitchen. These amenities serve as an ideal base camp for visitors wanting to experience the great western heritage, and cultural and explore the many resources of the region.
The Fite Ranch is nestled within an immense open basin with stunning vistas of several nearby mountains ranges. The vegetation of this desert range site is comprised of many resilient native varieties of grasses, annuals, sage, shrubs, juniper, and cactus. The topography is generally open with arroyos and breaks in the northern sector. The remainder of the ranch is typically sandy soils with areas of deep sand. The elevation average 4,500 ft. Annual precipitation is 8 to 10 inches and the frost free season from April 15 to October 20. The healthy atmosphere, clear skies, and plentiful sunshine are a big attraction.
Location, topography and vegetation provides habitat for mule deer, antelope, oryx, coyotes, many raptors, quail, dove and a variety of native and migratory birds. The fact that the entire west boundary is a wildlife refuge attests to the conformity of the ranch as a wildlife community. This wildlife community is balanced with the livestock grazing operation for which the ranch is designed. Primary use of the ranch is as a cattle cow calf yearlong grazing operation. The federal BLM office at Socorro has permitted the Fite Ranch as the Sand Mountain Cattle Grazing Allotment No. 02185. It is permitted for 201 animal units yearlong. The owner reports the actual use to include all lands will support up to 250 animal units yearlong. This is due in part to an additional 4,480 acres of free use rangeland on the east adjoin White Sands Missile Range.
Improvements to the ranch include the headquarters compound, water infrastructure and pasture fencing. Headquarters includes the residence, guest facilities, shop, hay barn, and stock pens. The residence is an attractive ranch house with mature trees and landscaping. It was gutted in 2002 remodeled with all new siding, roof, and interior. The residence has rough lumber siding, metal propanel roof cover, concrete foundation, and slab. Under roof is approximately 4,000 square feet which includes a large two car garage and storage area. The gross living area is 2,800 sq. ft. The spacious open floor plan includes dining room, living area, large kitchen, office, laundry room, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and basement. The interior has marble and wood floors, wood stove, sky lights, and pine wood wall panel throughout. The kitchen has granite counter tops, Frigidaire aluminum built in appliances, double oven, custom cabinets, and excellent work space for the creative chef. The master bedroom has spacious living area with large walk-in closet and a large master bath with oversize shower and separate bath. This dwelling will accommodate the most discriminating cowboy providing comfort and a relaxing lifestyle.
The business end of the ranch improvements include a small shop, box car for feed storage, 3 bin overhead feed storage, and an open side pole barn for hay and equipment storage. The cattle pens are rough lumber and rail tie construction. They include crowd lanes, sorting pens and cattle squeeze chute.
The water system has three principal wells in the vicinity of the headquarters. These wells provide domestic and livestock water which utilize steel water storage tanks and buried water pipeline. The southern end of the ranch has stock pens and one operational water well with storage and water pipeline supplying troughs in two pastures. Average water depth is 300 feet. The ranch is partitioned into four principal pastures.
Proximity of the ranch is within the White Sands Missile Range Test Area. When missile fire testing is ongoing the ranch is notified and vacated of people. The ranch is compensated for vacating and generally the vacancy is only for several hours at a time.
The Fite Ranch real estate taxes are $1,231.00. The BLM grazing fee is approximately $ 1,281.00 per annum.
The Fite Ranch is priced at $2,700,000.00, land and improvements.
Offered exclusively by: Schrimsher Ranch Real Estate, LLC to qualified purchasers by appointment only. Information furnished concerning The Fite Ranch has been obtained from sources deemed reliable and it is believed to be correct; however, no responsibility is assumed therefore, and no warranty or representation is made as to the accuracy thereof. This information is submitted subject to errors, omissions, changes, prior sale, or withdrawal from the market without notice. For further information, brochure, maps, DVD, and an appointment to see The Fite Ranch, contact Schrimsher Ranch Real Estate, LLC.
Schrimsher Ranch Real Estate, LLC
Keith L. Schrimsher
P.O. Box 802 ~ Roswell, N.M. 88202
Phone/fax: (575) 622-2343 ~ Email: srre@dfn.com
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