Buffalo in Harding County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Sky Ranch for Boys
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 24, 2023
1. Sky Ranch for Boys Marker
Sky Ranch for Boys is located 7 miles south of Camp Crook, SD. The Little Missouri River flows past the ranch buildings, which are skirted by the Short Pines and the Long Pines.
It was not always a home for boys in need.
In 1949 Father Don Murray was assigned as pastor of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Buffalo, SD. There were boys who needed a place to stay while going to high school in Buffalo so he started a dormitory in the rectory. Later he began to take in boys who were "troubled" or "in need", which did not set well with some community members. He convinced the Bishop to allow him to rent a small ranch near Camp Crook, but he needed money to feed the boys and didn't want to beg his parishioners.
Father Murray's dream was to have a facility that would give troubled boys a real taste of flying and ranch life and that would allow for the full growth of an organized program of rehabilitation.
Fr. Don, known affectionately as "The Flying Padre", was also an accomplished pilot. He was firmly convinced that the basic cause of juvenile delinquency is material, moral, and emotional insecurity. Young people, rejected, neglected or abused, resort to rebellion against society in order to focus attention on themselves.
The Sky Ranch Foundation was organized in 1962 when members of the beverage alcohol industry "adopted" Sky Ranch. This was accomplished due to Father Don’s work with one boy whose father was associated with the SD liquor industry. The boy's dad was so pleased with the success Father Murray had with his son that he invited him to speak at the industry's convention. Members at the convention were so impressed with Father Murray that he was then invited to give more speeches at several other state conventions. This led the groundwork to the formation of the Sky Ranch Foundation. The National Women's
this page online
Along with the "adoption", 3000 acres of land was purchased 7 miles south of Camp Crook and construction of Sky Ranch for Boys began. Fr. Don's dream had become a reality. Sky Ranch was licensed by the State with a present capacity for 32 boys. Each year the facility expanded as new buildings were built, more boys came and additional staff members were hired. Planes, horses and ranching along with reality treatment and counseling were the tools of Father Don's success in helping the boys become more responsible and productive members of society.
The ranch now has two dormitories, a school, shop, dining room, chapel, guest house, gymnasium, administration building, living quarters for the counselors, ranch buildings, livestock and horses.
October 11, 1975 Father Murray, age 55, and one of his boys were tragically killed in a plane crash near Baker, MT. They both were brought back to the wide open prairie that Father Don
2. Marker detail: Sky Ranch Aerial View
Father Murray's dream of Sky Ranch did not fade away with his death. The beverage industry continued its financial support. The board of directors, the executive directors, which has included Father Dale Kutil, Scott Louks and Jody (Louks) Duttenhefer, and a variety of staff members have continued to improve Sky Ranch for Boys and make it a viable rehabilitation center for young boys.
Erected by Buffalo & Harding County, South Dakota.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Charity & Public Work • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1962.
Location. 45° 34.856′ N, 103° 32.784′ W. Marker is in Buffalo, South Dakota, in Harding County. It can be reached from Theodore Roosevelt Expressway (CanAm Highway) (U.S. 85) just south of Connel Street (State Highway 20), on the left when traveling north. The marker is in Centennial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 24, 2023
3. Sky Ranch for Boys Marker
The marker is on the heritage walkway in Centennial Park.
Regionally, this marker is in West River. It is also in the American 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 walking distance of this marker: Tex Fletcher, the "Singing Cowboy" (here, next to this marker); Battle of the Crow Buttes (here, next to this marker); Battle of the Slim Buttes (here, next to this marker); The Custer Black Hills Expedition of 1874 (here, next to this marker); Ludlow Cave (here, next to this marker); The Homesteaders (here, next to this marker); Medora - Deadwood Stage Line (here, next to this marker); Cattle Ranching in Harding County (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buffalo.
Also see . . . The History of Sky Ranch.
Excerpt: Sky Ranch for Boys® opened in 1960 in northwest South Dakota as a way to help trouble-prone boys who had been written off by the courts as incorrigible. It was the dream of the Rev. Don Murray, who believed they could be rehabilitated if they were isolated and provided with the proper care.(Submitted on June 23, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)A Sioux Falls, South Dakota, liquor distributor was among the first to hear of his dream and rallied support from other South Dakota liquor industry leaders. They were able to raise the funds necessary to purchase 3,000 acres of land 100 miles north of Rapid City, South Dakota.
There, a ranch was built where thousands of boys were given a second chance. Officials say more than 90 percent successfully completed the program. During a single school year at Sky Ranch, most boys gained two or more grade levels in the school work they are able to handle.
Formed in 1961 and building on more than 57 years of tradition, Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ is a tax-exempt charitable organization committed to giving at-risk youth a second chance by identifying and offering grants to efficient and effective programs focused on improving the quality of help available to these youth. Sky Ranch Foundation’s ℠ funds have come largely from individuals and companies associated with the beer, wine, and spirits industries. Sky Ranch Foundation ℠ continues to strive to be the uniting force within the beverage alcohol industry for aid to at-risk youth and reflects our industry’s great concern and commitment without commercial self-interest or promotion to the youth of America.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 22 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 23, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
