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However, their knowledge of the land extends much further back. KTAB/KRBC learned the history from Herman’s son, Jay.
“The Republic of Texas gave this land to a gentleman, and it’s been under the same fence since, basically, the Republic of Texas. Now, one corner got cut off, but other than that, it’s all one piece of land,” said Jay.
Skip forward a few decades, and you’ll find a portion of that land used for Cold War defense. The area the family now calls “the camp” was once established as a Nike Missile Command Base under Dyess Air Force Base. In 1967, that land was assigned to the Abilene Independent School District as an outdoor educational facility. Once again, that same plot is now owned by the Ledbetter family.
“This building we’re in used to be a barracks with bunks up and down it…As you can see, we’ve fixed it up a bit to make it more of a hunting lodge style,” said Jay’s son, Aaron Ledbetter.
Aaron, his brother Dan, and their wives Heather and Sage, respectively, are a few of the third-generation Ledbetters who decided to uproot their lives in other states to move back home and tend to the family land. While both say they always had the homestead in mind, the decision was partially informed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Mesquite Heat fire of 2022, which claimed a large portion of the land.
“I think in the context of growing up here, you don’t realize how fragile a place can be until you go through a natural disaster like that. Suddenly, something that’s been there your whole life is maybe not in your future anymore. That pushed us to the decision that it was time to take it serious, move down, and take the family legacy as our own,” Dan said.
“It [the fire] took 80 percent of our foliage off the land. We fought the fire out here for 10 days straight,” said Jay.
The multi-day fire burned much of their land and a significant portion of their livestock. However, the efforts of the family, local community, and fire departments in fighting the blaze ensured that no structures or lives were lost, and the homestead remained safe.
“As you pointed out, we’re Texans. It’s just a fire. The land is still here, the family is still here,” Jay said.
The family that now extends four generations, Aaron and Heather said that despite the 180 their lives have taken to be here, their children are adjusting well to the change.
“We have two boys. They always tell us that they love being Texans now,” Heather said.
This new generation is now afforded the opportunity to make all those same beloved memories their family has enjoyed. Though Heather says carrying on the family legacy doesn’t have to mean a long line of cattle ranchers or hunters, but whatever passion fuels their love of the land. Heather and her sister-in-law, Sage, bring new offerings through their shared passion for horseback riding.
“My family owned ranches in Washington way back, and my Grandfather was a horse guy in Spokane…Down here, I saw that opportunity, and I was just welcomed into the equestrian community with open arms,” said Heather.
“I’ve always had a passion for horseback riding, but I haven’t always been able to be involved in that in my life. Coming back here and taking a step with my sister-in-law, Heather, has been just absolutely amazing and a blessing,” Sage added.
They have built a new equestrian arena, host two shows on the property, and offer trail rides. Heather mentions that they plan to expand their operations to include summer camps and youth equestrian classes in the future.
“We’ve had a whole lot of feedback that that’s what people want locally. And there are already programs around. So my idea is to just do beginner basic stuff and then be able to say, ‘Okay, you want to be a barrel racer, a jumper. I have friends and trainers that I can send you to.’…I really want to bring everyone in the community together and help all of us thrive and survive,” Heather said.
As the third generation seeks to diversify the meaning of their land, they also look forward to what future generations may bring.
“That’s my number one goal — to keep this place for them. I want them to be able to, someday, decide to be involved like I did,” said Aaron.
“To take it in the direction that they’re meant to take it…I’m looking forward to seeing what they do at this place,” Heather said.
All the memories to be made are built on a foundation strengthened by this family’s bond and the love they share for each other and their family land.
Jay and his wife Pam closed out our interview by sharing just how touched they’ve been to see their family coming home to live and work together.
“There are not words to express how wonderful it is to have my boys and their wives here. Because my goodness…This is our family’s place. And it’s gonna be that way for as many generations as we can make,” Jay said.
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