Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.
“The Smith Ranch, in Johnson County, Texas near Rio Vista, Texas, and also known as Grand Valley Lands, was established in 1887. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.”
Wikipedia article Smith Ranch, CC BY-SA 4.0.
One of 7 National Register listings published here for Johnson County · listed in 2007 · category: District.
Sources: the Wikipedia article · the case file at the National Archives · the National Register database, National Park Service
Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 75 fires within 5 miles of Smith Ranch between 2005 and 2020, burning about 1,978 acres in total. None started naturally. 6 were recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Reported cause | Fires |
|---|---|
| Debris and open burning | 32 |
| Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 25 |
| Equipment and vehicle use | 10 |
| Arson/incendiarism | 6 |
| Recreation and ceremony | 1 |
| Smoking | 1 |
The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.
| Date | Cause | Size | Reported by | Name on the report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 September 2014 | Debris and open burning | 1.0 acres | Texas A & M Forest Service | 164 |
| 13 September 2012 | Arson/incendiarism | 5.0 acres | Texas A & M Forest Service | 134 |
| 8 August 2020 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 40 acres | Texas A & M Forest Service | HCR 1114 GRASS FIRE IN BLUM |
| 8 August 2019 | Equipment and vehicle use | 5.0 acres | Texas A & M Forest Service | 126 |
| 8 August 2006 | Debris and open burning | 200 acres | Texas A & M Forest Service | not named |
| 7 August 2009 | Equipment and vehicle use | 30 acres | Texas A & M Forest Service | CR 1110 RIO VISTA |
| 7 August 2009 | Equipment and vehicle use | 10 acres | Texas A & M Forest Service | JC 1109 |
| 22 August 2011 | Arson/incendiarism | 10 acres | Texas A & M Forest Service | 135 |
Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Rio Vista, the town this property stands in, in 47 storm reports between 1995 and 2026: 20 hail, 16 thunderstorm wind, 7 tornado, 2 flood. The reports record 12 injuries. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 2006 | Tornado (F2) | Rio Vista | 12 hurt, $2,000,000 | The National Weather Service in Fort Worth conducted a damage survey and found that the tornado which originated in Hill County continued on its destructive northeast path into Johnson County. Damage to sheds and vegetation was noted along County Roads 1205 and 1204. The most significant damage to structures was found near FM 916, CR 1202, and CR 1205, northeast to near Highway 171. Several structures were unroofed while others suffered partial roof loss. Major damage to trees was also noted here. Damage to homes and trees continued along the track near CR 421, CR 423, and CR 415 just north of Highway 4. The tornado then crossed FM 2415. The last observed damage was along the south shore of Lake Alvarado. County officials reported that twenty-two residences were destroyed, twenty were heavily damaged, and twenty more had minor damages. Ten people were taken to local hospitals. Most were for minor injuries, but two suffered more serious injuries and were released from the hospital the next day. The Governor designated Johnson County a disaster area. |
| May 2021 | Hail | Rio Vista | $750,000 | no account filed |
| April 2015 | Tornado (EF0) | Rio Vista | $600,000 | A National Weather Service damage survey crew found evidence of a tornado east of the city of Rio Vista. This tornado took a 5.4 mile path across Johnson County, ending at nearly the same point as it began. The tornado first occurred just south of Farm to Market Road 916, along County Road 1205. The tornado originally took a northeast track, before turning due north, then back to the west and southwest. Along the way, the tornado caused superficial damage to approximately 20 homes. Numerous trees, barns, and farm buildings were destroyed as the tornado moved along. |
| April 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Rio Vista | $250,000 | The American Red Cross reported that 16 homes in Rio Vista were damaged by severe thunderstorm winds. Two of these homes were destroyed and three others sustained major damage. The roofs of six homes north of Rio Vista were torn off. Trees were also knocked down in the city, and the breezeway between city hall and the civic center sustained damage. |
| April 2015 | Flood | Rio Vista | $200,000 | Extensive flooding continued in Johnson County after over 3 hours of heavy rain fell across mainly the southern half of the county. The area around Rio Vista was one of the hardest areas impacted after a tornadic supercell stalled over that part of the county for over 3 hours. Several swift water rescues were still ongoing hours after the rainfall ended. Low lying areas and roads were flooded for over a day after the heavy rain event. One deputy was treated for minor injuries when his patrol car became trapped in high water. |
| April 2015 | Tornado (EF0) | Rio Vista | $100,000 | A National Weather Service damage survey crew found evidence of a tornado south and west of the city of Rio Vista. This tornado moved northeast to southwest, in a semicircular pattern. The damage from this tornado was mainly to trees and a few power lines. The tornado did impact an uncompleted housing development, damaging three homes. The damage to homes was limited to roof and shingle damage, only producing the EF-0 rating. |
| May 2021 | Hail | Rio Vista | $100,000 | no account filed |
| April 2026 | Tornado (EF1) | Rio Vista | $50,000 | A second tornado from the same storm that produced an EF-0 tornado near Lake Pat Cleburne, and impacted a small area east of Rio Vista. Mostly scattered tree damage and damage to lightweight metal objects was observed along the path of the tornado. The tornado started near Hill Ct northeast of Rio Vista. One manufactured home off CR 1205 lost most of its roof covering, and the roof of a nearby home on CR 1107 was also partially removed. The tornado continued southeast crossing FM 916 and dissipating near CR 1204 and 1104. This tornado was rated a low-end EF-1 with winds of 90 mph. |
| April 2015 | Tornado (EF0) | Rio Vista | $50,000 | A National Weather Service damage survey crew found evidence of a tornado which began on the north side of Rio Vista. The tornado first occurred just west of the city limits and moved northeast. The tornado destroyed an abandoned building near the intersection of State Highway 174 and Johnson County Road 1206. As the tornado moved quickly northeast, several mobile homes suffered damage. |
| May 1995 | Thunderstorm Wind | Rio Vista | $35,000 | Extensive damage was done to outbuildings and trees. |
| April 2015 | Thunderstorm Wind | Rio Vista | $30,000 | Thunderstorm wind damage was surveyed along FM 916 west of Rio Vista. Softwood trees were uprooted in some locations. Near FM 916 and Westover Hills Drive, one house sustained roof damage and another house had part of the siding peeled off the side. In the same area, a few outbuildings were damaged. Time is estimated as this storm remained over the area for a few hours. |
| May 2016 | Flood | Rio Vista | $15,000 | Several roads across the county remained closed due to flooding. The flooding continued into June 1st. |
| May 2016 | Flash Flood | Rio Vista | $12,000 | Road closures were reported along portions of County Roads 910, 920, 1106, 1116, 1202, 1205, 1226 and Old Foamy Road after heavy rainfall of several inches in a short amount of time. |
| April 2015 | Thunderstorm Wind | Rio Vista | $12,000 | The Rio Vista Elementary School sustained damage due to non-tornadic thunderstorm winds. The school was closed the following day. |
| March 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Rio Vista | $11,000 | Ham radio operator reported thunderstorm wind damage south of Rio Vista near 8932 TX 174. Multiple power poles were downed and a carport roof was blow 20-30 yards from its original location. |
| April 2015 | Thunderstorm Wind | Rio Vista | $10,000 | Large hardwood trees were uprooted and snapped in this area. |
| February 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Rio Vista | $10,000 | A house was unroofed by high winds just west of town. |
| June 2025 | Hail | Rio Vista | $9,000 | A Facebook photo showed half dollar to two inch diameter hail fell near CR 1219 and Nolan River Road between Cleburne and Rio Vista. |
| April 2015 | Thunderstorm Wind | Rio Vista | $5,000 | A trained spotter estimated a 60 mph wind gust in Rio Vista. |
| February 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Rio Vista | $5,000 | A barn suffered heavy damage from thunderstorm winds. |
| June 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | Rio Vista | $2,000 | Winds of 70 mph were estimated 1 mile east of Rio Vista. |
| October 2015 | Flash Flood | Rio Vista | $1,000 | The 6600 block of CR 1205 (S of CR 1107) was closed due to high water. |
| June 2025 | Hail | Rio Vista | - | A Facebook photo showed quarter size hail fell in the Nolan River Estates area. |
| May 2024 | Hail | Rio Vista | - | Public report of quarter size hail at County Road 1205 and County Road 1104 east of Rio Vista. |
| May 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Rio Vista | - | An 60 mph wind gust was reported via amateur radio near Rio Vista. |
| May 2022 | Hail | Rio Vista | - | Quarter sized hail was reported in the Rio Vista area. |
| April 2018 | Hail | Rio Vista | - | A public report indicated quarter-sized hail in the city of Rio Vista, TX. |
| April 2018 | Hail | Rio Vista | - | Amateur radio reported penny sized hail on the northern side of Cleburne State Park, approximately 5 miles southwest of the city of Bono, TX. |
| April 2018 | Hail | Rio Vista | - | Amateur radio reported nickel sized hail approximately 5 miles west of the city of Rio Vista, TX. |
| April 2015 | Tornado (EF0) | Rio Vista | - | A National Weather Service damage survey crew found evidence of a tornado west of the city of Rio Vista. This tornado produced EF-0 damage to the west of the city, causing little damage across an open field. |
| April 2015 | Tornado (EF0) | Rio Vista | - | A National Weather Service damage survey crew found evidence of a tornado northwest of the city of Rio Vista. This tornado produced minimal damage to trees across open fields. |
| April 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Rio Vista | - | Trees were blown down by high winds.- |
| May 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Rio Vista | - | A tree was blown down by high winds. |
| October 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Rio Vista | - | Large tree limbs were blown onto FM 1220 by high winds. |
| June 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Rio Vista | - | Thunderstorm winds downed trees. |
| April 1995 | Thunderstorm Wind | Rio Vista | - | Large tree limbs were broken by high winds. |
| April 2021 | Hail | Rio Vista | - | no account filed |
| May 2021 | Hail | Rio Vista | - | no account filed |
| April 2016 | Hail | Rio Vista | - | no account filed |
| April 2011 | Hail | Rio Vista | - | no account filed |
| April 2011 | Hail | Rio Vista | - | no account filed |
| May 2004 | Hail | Rio Vista | - | no account filed |
| April 2002 | Hail | Rio Vista | - | no account filed |
| February 2000 | Hail | Rio Vista | - | no account filed |
| March 2000 | Hail | Rio Vista | - | no account filed |
| April 1996 | Hail | Rio Vista | - | no account filed |
| January 1995 | Hail | Rio Vista | - | no account filed |
No historic map-sheet match is published for this property yet. That does not mean no map exists. This record needs a coordinate-quality review before it can be joined to a sheet boundary. Browse the county's mapped places while that work is pending.
Other National Register properties close enough to walk or drive between, ordered by distance from this one. Both positions come from the same geocoding pass that matched these properties to their map sheets.
| Photograph | Property | Distance | Listed |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Meredith Hart House | 3.0 miles | 1977 |
 | Joiner-Long House | 7.9 miles | 2003 |
| National Archives record | The nomination case file for reference 07000271 in Record Group 79. |
| Wikipedia article | Community-written account of this property, licensed CC BY-SA. |
| Johnson County | All 7 listed properties in this county. |
Block