Lake Ransom Canyon Near Lubbock, Texas

Ransom Canyon lies in the south eastern part of famed Yellowhouse Canyon, which is in the upper tributary of the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River. Because of its gradual upward climb, this great canyon was easily traversed and, therefore served as a popular entry to, and exit from, the vast Staked Plains (Llano Estacado) of Texas and New Mexico.

In 1629, Father Salas of Santa Fe came down the canyon to San Angelo and back again: Captains Martin and Castillo followed the same route from Santa Fe in 1650. Indian tribes, buffalo hunters, Colonel Mackenzie and his cavalry, cowboys with their cattle herds ... these and many others have used the canyon with its fresh water springs as an avenue through history.

Ransom Canyon derives its name from the older designation, cañon de Rescate, "Canyon of Ransom"; for it was in this region that Spanish and Anglo traders negotiated with the Comanches for the return of the hostages.

Ransom Canyon was developed from 576 acres which was the last acreage of "Johnston Ranch". The original ranch contained about 165 sections or more than 100,000 acres. Most of it was sold off many years ago, but the Headquarters Section was owned by members
of the Johnston family until 1961 when the dream of a town was conceived.

The Headquarters Ranch House and the Cowboy Bunk House (and bath house) were sheltered under the huge cottonwood trees on East Lake Shore Drive. Water for the bath house was supplied directly from the spring that is still flowing there.

The spring at the upper end of Brookhollow is shown on the oldest maps as "Pig Squeal" spring. No doubt wild hogs were trapped in this box canyon, hence the name.

Indian relics are still found, and at least one Indian burial site has been found in rocky ledges on the west side.

Ransom Canyon is on the North Fork of the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River in Yellow House Canyon near Buffalo Springs Lake twelve miles east of Lubbock in southeast Lubbock County. It began in the mid-1960s as a development project, promoted by Chapman and Chapman of Lubbock. The headquarters of the Johnston Ranch, which at one time controlled about 165 sections of the surrounding region, was located within the 576 acres of the development site. Ransom Canyon was incorporated in December of 1977. An election changing the name from Lake Ransom Canyon to Ransom Canyon was held in April of 1984. The residential community reported a population of 561 in 1980 and 750 in 1990. In 2000 the population reached 1,011.