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Granger, Thagard and Associates has been commissioned to sell to the highest bidder, regardless of price, River Oaks Ranch, the home of the late Alabama baseball legend Harry "The Hat" Walker.
Located in Leeds, Alabama, one of the fastest growing areas of the state, the property is ideally situated near the
intersection of U.S. Highway 119 and Zeigler Road, across from the Terry Walker Golf Course. This 39.5 ± acre tract will be offered in parcels, combinations, or in its entirety. Nine parcels divide the Zeigler Road
frontage of 1760 (+/-) feet and 275(+/-) feet on U.S. Highway 119. The western boundary of the property is the beautiful Little Cahaba River.
The house, built from area rock, has three large bedrooms and
three bathrooms. Both the large living room and the den have custom-built stone fireplaces. A separate entrance leads to "The Hat's" large office. The swimming pool area and storage buildings are convenient
to the home. The main barn and sheds were used for Harry's cattle operation. His batting cage, which was used to teach both future members of the Baseball Hall of Fame, and his teams at UAB (Walker was UAB's first
baseball coach) is near the main barn.
Among sports and entertainment celebrities, it was well known that a great time was to be had when Harry "The Hat" hosted a barbeque at his ranch. The Walker
family recalls that entire teams of the World Series winning St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates visited the property. Among the sports figures who enjoyed Harry's hospitality were Stan Musial, Willie Mays,
Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Dizzy Dean, Marty Marion, Terry Moore, Ken Boyer, Alex Grammas, Red Schoendist, Tim McCarver, Keith Hernadez, Buddy Hanken, Hal Smith, and Bill White, former president of the
National League. Baseball broadcasting legends who enjoyed the ranch included, Joe Garagiola, Bob Prince of the Pirates, Jack Buck of the Cardinals, and Harry "Holy Cow!" Carrey of the Cardinals and Cubs. Some of
the Hollywood stars who visited were Harry James, Mickey Rooney, Barbara Hale, Angie Dickinson and Ed Nelson. Birmingham's own Charlie Boswell, Eddie Stankey, Virgil Trucks, Gene and Murray Bartow, Bobby Bragen
and Vernon Law were also regular visitors.
Another regular visitor was Harry's brother, and Los Angeles Dodger great, "Dixie Walker." Both Harry and "Dixie" held National League batting titles in back to
back years, and are two of only a handful of players that are the sons and nephews of major league baseball players.
Harry built the home in1947-48 from his earnings with the St. Louis Cardinals and with the
bonus from winning the 1946 Worlds Series. Harry was the National League batting champion in 1947.
Personal property items offered separately from the real estate include Harry's tractor, riding mower and
"The Bell". A long, standing tradition at the ranch was to ring the bell at birthdays and holidays. The fine bronze locomotive bell is proudly displayed near the driveway of the home and it will also sell
to the highest bidder.
Just as much as this farm is a "diamond", the same could be said for the fast growing Leeds' area.
Besides having its own new school system and lots of
small–town atmosphere in a metro area, Leeds' proximity to I-20 has now "reeled" in a new BASS PRO SHOP, designated as the "Disney World for Outdoor Enthusiasts." These new additions coupled
with the recently completed Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum and Barber Motorsports Park, is expected to attract more than three million visitors a year to the area.
Historic, charming downtown Leeds is
just a couple of miles from River Oaks Ranch. U.S. Highway 280, a hub for shopping, dining and entertainment, is less than fifteen minutes away.
Also nearby are picturesque horse farms, Lake Purdy, the Cahaba
River, and acclaimed golf course communities such as Greystone and Liberty Park.
The City of Leeds
(http://www.LeedsAlabama.com)
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