King Ranch sprawls across 1,300sq mi of acacia and mesquite grassland 39mi south of Corpus Christi. It was founded in 1853 by steamboat pilot Richard King, whose sixth-generation descendants still own the ranch. Two breeds of cattle and the first registered American quarter horse were developed here in the 20C. Today one of the largest cattle ranches in the US, King Ranch is home to 60,000 cattle (including 60 longhorns) and 300 working quarter horses. Highlights of a 90min bus tour include the grave of horse-racing's 1946 Triple Crown winner, Assault, and a weaver's cottage where dozens of Texas ranch brands-including King's own distinctive "running W"-are on display. Tours pass but do not enter the white, castle-like Santa Gertrudis manor (built in 1912-15), the ranch headquarters and primary residence. In nearby Kingsville, the King Ranch Museum provides visitors with a look at ranch history, including a photographic essay on King Ranch in the 1940s. Collections of saddles, guns, historic Texas flags, antique carriages and vintage cars round out the exhibits.