The Madisons invite you to spend your vacation at the historic Madison Ranch.

The Madison history in South Dakota spans well over a century and 6 generations.

"Pap" Madison, settled in the Black Hills in 1876. His cabin, one of the first structures in Dakota Territory, was moved to Rapid City and now sits in downtown's Halley Park for the public to enjoy.

In 1886, coming by train to Buffalo Gap then by stage into Rapid City, Russ Madison, known as "Mr. Rodeo of South Dakota" joined his father Pap.

By the age of 12 he was a ranch hand, breaking horses for the US Army and gaining a "cowboy" reputation.

His rodeo career began in 1899 when he rode two bronc's in the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show. His horsemanship skills in that show gained the respect of Buffalo Bill and the fame of the Madison family was set in motion. By 1917 he was becoming famous throughout western South Dakota for his rodeo skills. He assembled a string of bucking horses, gathering them from the infamous "White Horse" herd of the South Dakota Badlands. They were said to be the toughest bucking stock in the country. He produced the first professional rodeos in South Dakota. Including, Deadwood's, now famous, "Days of 76", voted "Best Mid-Size Outdoor Rodeo" in the US by the PRCA, and the Belle Fourche Roundup.

Still a working ranch, its’ large ranch house was once a guest lodge to rodeo cowboys of the bygone era. Such greats as Casey Tibbs, Jack Buschbom and Jim Shoulders have called it home.

This old, original rodeo guest ranch is now, once again, open to the public. We invite you to share in the memories of the Historic Madison Ranch in the heart of the Black Hills.

For more information on Russ Madison contact the South Dakota Hall of Fame or we highly recommend visiting the High Plains Western Heritage Center, Spearfish, SD., just minutes from Deadwood, where you will enjoy the largest collection in a 5 state region of western history.

Please feel free to call for more information - we look forward to meeting you.