It All Started in 1957…
To chronicle the history of The Sahnoans at Star Ranch, one must start by mentioning “Founding Fathers” Merl and Myrl (aka “Ditto”) Sullivan. They were one of six couples whose vision for a family nudist park began in the wilderness which became Star Ranch.
Myrl and Ditto were Veterans. They built the “tin house” on site H11, across from the volleyball courts. This was their residence for nearly five decades, until Merl passed away. She is buried in an Armed Forces cemetery in San Antonio. Myrl now lives with family in Oklahoma.
Their Legacy is Enormous
The Swimming Pool
They dug out the swimming pool by hand, encountering brick clay, which they chiseled out. When the workers had shaped the “deep end,” Ditto threw down her shovel and said: “This is as far as we’re going to go. We’re finished here.”
First Tournament — Croquet (1959)
Croquet was the first tournament, held in 1959. The 3-inch tall nudist-themed trophy had a short life, as members opted for monogrammed towels — a tradition which exists today.
Decades of Service
Both Sullivans served for four decades on the Council, and Myrl dedicated many years to being a Board member.
The COG Picnic Tables
He used a router to carve “COG” on the underside of every picnic table he could find; some can still be found on the grounds today.
Volleyball Tradition
He was the recruiter for volleyball. When you saw him approach with his clipboard, you knew you were going to be asked to play. The founders worked hard building our infrastructure by day, and decided to play volleyball at night — another tradition we continue to honor.
A Personal Account
The then-SWSA Convention was slated to be held here in 1997. David P, Star Ranch member, was editor of “The Sunspot”, the SWSA newsletter. I had visited nudist clubs around the country, but, living in Houston, I had not heard of Star Ranch, and McDade was not universally cited on Texas maps.
Wanda and I scheduled a visit so I could write an informed piece on Star Ranch for the newsletter.
Visitors and guests were cordially greeted by Myrl and Margie H., and Myrl took us on a WALKING tour to the Pines, to the pool, to the tennis courts, and the volleyball courts.
Honoring Our Founding Father
As of this writing, Myrl remains the only living Founding Father, an encyclopedic resource of Sahnoan/Star Ranch oral history.
We of the modern generation owe who, what and where we are to Myrl and Ditto, to those other Founding Couples, and all like-minded individuals and families who have carried forward that 1950’s desire for a family-friendly, safe nudist environment.
Thank you, Myrl.
— Contributed by David P, January 2020