The ranch was established by Homer Wilson in 1929 at Oak Springs to the west of the Chisos Mountains.

Ultimately comprising 44 sections of land, amounting to more than 28,000 acres (11,000 ha), the Oak Canyon-Blue Creek Ranch was acquired by the State of Texas in 1942 for incorporation into the new park.

Wilson's ranch focused on sheep and goats, the first such large operation in the Big Bend area.

Wilson, born in Del Rio, Texas in 1892, had studied petroleum engineering at the Missouri School of Mines and was a World War I veteran.

The single-story residence comprised two bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen, with a large central fireplace.