The History of The Barn at Hickory Creek

In 1954, Thomas H. Shartle Sr. purchased the property on FM 3187 to be used as the headquarters for Hickory Creek Ranch. The property extended from SH 7 East to SH 21 East and included more than 4,000 contiguous acres. Following the death of Tom Sr. in 1997, the cattle business and pasture land were all sold. All that remained was the Hickory Creek Ranch headquarters.

In 2003, Tom’s grandson Wade Shartle and his wife Jenni bought Hickory Creek Ranch’s remaining 360 acres of pasture land. This land is surrounded by 1,300 acres of pine timberland that is still owned by members of the Shartle family. 

In 2013, Wade and Jenni’s daughter decided that she wanted to get married in the old hay barn located on the property. This sparked the idea for a total renovation and the creation of a rustic wedding venue. In four months’ time, the old hay barn, originally built in 1951, was transformed into an elegant venue with beautifully stained concrete floors, large chandeliers, and the addition of an air-conditioned bride’s room and bathrooms.