One of only two National Historic Sites in the entire state of South Dakota, Frawley Ranches takes visitors back more than one hundred years to the rugged life of a simpler time.

Henry Frawley originally settled on the ranch in 1876 amid an Indian uprising and the height of the South Dakota gold rush. The ranch was located along early routes of several stagecoach and freight companies.

In 1913, the property reached its present size of 4,783 acres and includes four ranches: Upper Ranch, Lower Ranch, Middle Ranch, and East Ranch.

The Frawley Ranches are among the few historic ranches in the United states where original buildings, furnishings, tools, and memorabilia dating to the late 19th century have been preserved virtually intact.

All existing historic facilities have undergone extensive historic restoration, including the 30,000 sq. ft. courtyard barn, a one-room schoolhouse, a dairy ranch homestead, a dugout homestead, and various settlement cabins and barns.

Historic structures at Frawley Ranches are open for public viewing on special occasions.