Texas buys two ranches near the border, including a huge property next to Big Bend National Park

A ridge in South Brewster County overlooking Big Bend National Park on Jan. 23, 2024. The Texas General Land Office has purchased ranches in Brewster and Starr counties this week. (Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune)

---

The state General Land Office announced this week that it has bought a massive ranch in the Big Bend region and a smaller ranch in Starr County, where state leaders plan to build a 1.5-mile stretch of border wall along the Rio Grande.