Near Rapid City in Pennington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Historic Madison Ranch

Home of "Mr. Rodeo" James "Russ" Madison

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, August 11, 2017

1. Historic Madison Ranch Marker

Inscription. A one time member of Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show, Madison came to Dakota Territory in 1886 and the history of South Dakota Rodeo began. Russ won the Champion Relay Race in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1907 and then began building his bucking horse string. Many of these horses came from the infamously wild "White Horse Herd" of the northern Badlands. He put on rodeos in South Dakota and furnished bucking stock for many celebrations throughout the Midwest. Russ was recognized for producing the first professional rodeos in South Dakota including the famous "Days of 76", the "Belle Fourche Round Up", and the Rapid City "Range Days". The ranch hosted a rodeo for President Calvin Coolidge in 1927 and was also the set for the 1920's film "Ranges of Freedom". Russ' friendship and respect for the Lakota and Mandan made the ranch home to many Pow Wows in the 1920s - 1940s. Russ died July 9th, 1956.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #30 Calvin Coolidge series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 9, 1956.

Location. 44° 6.927′ N, 103° 21.779′ W. Marker is near Rapid City, South Dakota, in Pennington County. It is on Nemo Rd 1.2 miles west of Bittersweet Rd, on the

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rapid City SD 57702, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West River

and in the Badlands.

It is also in the American Black Hills,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A Massive Surge (approx. 5.2 miles away); Rune Stones (approx. 5.6 miles away); Edward Nielsen (approx. 5.6 miles away); Rapid City Founders Camp Site (approx. 6.3 miles away); The Eagles (approx. 6.3 miles away); Welcome to Founders Park Plaza (approx. 6.3 miles away); Rapid City's Founders (approx. 6.3 miles away); Rapid Creek Flood Mark (approx. 6.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rapid City.

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, August 11, 2017

2. Historic Madison Ranch Marker

Historic Madison Ranch Marker, from the south image. Click for full size.

October 16, 2021

3. Historic Madison Ranch Marker, from the south

Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2018, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 982 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 21, 2018, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. 3. submitted on October 22, 2021. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.