According to family stories, Rancho La Leona was named when an ancestor came upon a sleeping mountain lioness amongst the beauty of the mesquite trees and brush. 

 

At one time, Rancho La Leona East was part of the larger Rancho La Leona, which was broken up as it was willed through time to the descendents of the original owners; Hazel Heggins inherited a portion of the land and with her husband, purchased the land inherited by her brother.  Another section is owned by her nephews and is referred to as Rancho La Leona West.

 

After Bennie William Heggins' death, Hazel Heggins gifted the ranch to her daughter Deanna Holler and her husband Joe Holler, so the ranch would remain intact and remain as an operating cattle ranch.  Currently Deanna and Joe are running the ranch.

 

The current Rancho La Leona East is almost 600 acres made up of several large sections consisting of hay fields, cattle pasturage, and natural South Texas flora and fauna.  Located just outside of Guerra, in Jim Hogg County, the ranch has been leased in the past to other ranchers, but has been continuously in current cattle operations for 23 years.

 

Those 23 years have been very productive; we have beautiful calves on the ground almost year round.

 

Rancho La Leona East is also the home of abundant and beautiful wildlife, both game and nongame species.  Cacti, native olive, native plum, and other plant life flower throughout the year.