Former US President Johnson's Texas Ranch Opens to Public After Decades

Lyndon B. Johnson and his wife Lady Bird Johnson transferred their sprawling Texas ranch house and approximately 600 acres to the National Park Service in 1972, though they retained lifetime rights to occupy the property. The estate, situated in the heart of Texas Hill Country, became known informally as the "Texas White House" due to its significance as a presidential retreat.

Following Lyndon Johnson's death in 1973, Lady Bird Johnson remained at the ranch, continuing to reside there for more than three decades. During her tenure as the sole occupant with lifetime rights, she oversaw the maintenance of the property and its historical significance, becoming an important steward of the estate's legacy.

Upon Lady Bird Johnson's death in 2007, the National Park Service assumed full operational control of the property. The government subsequently undertook preparations to transform the historic ranch into a public historical site, making it accessible to visitors interested in American presidential history and the Johnson family's legacy.

The ranch now functions as a museum and historic landmark, allowing members of the public to tour the residence and grounds while learning about the Johnson presidency and the family's significant contributions to American political life.