Raymond Sutton Ranch Sale TODAY!
Written by Georga and Heather Sutton, Owners of the historic Raymond Sutton Ranch in Gettysberg, SD.
The Sutton ranch began in 1883 when the family moved from Iowa. They shipped their belongings to the rail end at Redfield, SD and then hauled them 100 miles by ox team to a homestead in Potter County. Grandfather Edwin Sutton was 18 at the time, and he and his sister Kate promptly staked out adjoining 160-acre homesteads in Potter and Sully County, along the Missouri River, 40 miles north of Pierre, South Dakota. This was six years before South Dakota was admitted to the Union and Pierre was named the state capitol. They built a shack right on the line separating their two tracts, lived in it as the homesteading law required and then proceeded to improve both claims. After Edwin had proved up his quarter section, he sold it and used the money to move inland, buy more land, and stock it with horses, cattle and buffalo.
In 1909, Edwin entered into a trade that introduced buffalo to the ranch. Sutton traded Scotty Phillip, who was known at the time as “The Buffalo King,” two Hereford bulls for two bred bison cows and a bull. More animals were added with the Phillip dispersal in 1911 and from Custer State Park in 1925. We believe it is the oldest, continuously owned private herd in the United States.
The buffalo were a challenge that couldn’t be passed by. Raymond, the youngest Sutton son, broke a team to haul the water used at the house from the Missouri River. Once that was successful, he broke a buffalo or two to drive each year.
As the Great Depression ended, there was again interest in organized rodeos and Raymond began his own company. He introduced a number of specialty acts to add interest. Buffalo were a big crowd pleaser. In some of the more “wooly” competitions, an unbroken Buffalo was hitched to a gooseneck chariot and turned out of the bucking chute. There was a pin that could be pulled to release the chariot when the ride needed to end.
Our herd is genetically unique for no outside blood has been introduced since the Custer State Park purchase. This strain developed over 116 years offers a unique opportunity to introduce a very special bloodline into your breeding program. Our adults are dark brown and have good size and conformation. The herd has always been brucellosis free. They are treated as wild. There are no shots or extra supplement. They are all natural.
We are proud of being able to be part of this piece of history. From the capture of 5 buffalo by Fred Dupree in 1881 to 2025, the blood of some of the few remaining Plains Buffalo has been preserved. We hope that you as buyers will continue to enjoy animals from the Raymond Sutton ranch herd.
