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.
Historic Madison Ranch. Home of "Mr. Rodeo" James "Russ" Madison. 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.
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. Marker is on Nemo Rd, 1.2 miles west of Bittersweet Rd, on
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the 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.
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 367 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.
