Home On The Range
History and 50th AnniversaryTimeline
HOTR Original Home
Original Home, now current administration building
Father Elwood Cassedy
Father Elwood Cassedy
Father Cassedy, 1957
Buck a Brick Fundraiser to build Eagle Hall, 1957

Father Cassedy's Grave
Home on the Range for Boys Ranch Hands sit atop Cassedy Hill overlooking the home.  The founder, Fr. Cassedy, is buried on the hill where he often hiked for solace, prayer, and to keep an eye on his boys.

Father Cassedy's First Boys
Father Cassedy and his first boys
HOTR
HOTR 1950
1950, Father Cassedy and boys
HOTR HOTR Bus
Off to School
HOTR Haying

HOTR

HOTR Horse Program

HOTR Ranch Work   Big Sky Ranch Glendive

Home On The Range was established in 1950, when Father Elwood E. Cassedy and three boys moved into a granary converted to living quarters on the former ranch owned by Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Lievens of Sentinel Butte, North Dakota.  The couple gave their 960-acre ranch to Father Cassedy, after reading of his dream to establish a home for boys in the country.

What followed was a flood of smaller contributions from interested individuals and groups willing to sacrifice for the "dream" to come true.  In 1955, as the program began to grow and serve more residents in larger quarters, Father William Fahnlander joined Father Cassedy in providing for the needs of the boys.  Shortly after Father Cassedy's death in 1959, Father Fahnlander became superintendent of the ranch facility.  For over thirty years, he was "father" to literally hundreds of boys in need of support, encouragement, discipline and love.

Home On The Range emerged into a new era of services by welcoming girls to the facility in August 1990.  The Home On The Range Board of Directors believed we had a moral and social responsibility in recognizing that boys and girls experience the same kinds of problems.  Home On The Range has established a reputation of developing and providing realistic and successful programs.  Many national programs have proven that interaction between boys and girls can be handled positively, safely and successfully, helping these young people of both sexes to once again enter the mainstream of everyday life as productive, caring citizens.

 

HOTR 50th Anniversary Time-line

1908
*April 9 - John & Frieda Cassedy, Jersey City, NJ, name their first-born, Elwood

1911
*Edward & Emma Lievens, emigrants from Belgium, homestead land near Sentinel Butte, ND

1921
*February 27 - William J. Fahnlander born in Minot, ND

1923-31
*After graduating from St. Patrick’s Grammar School, Elwood Cassedy starts high school but drops out to help support his family. He finds work as a messenger at the Equitable Trust Company, Wall Street, New York City. The Equitable merges with Chase National Bank in 1930; Cassedy works his way up to page and junior teller in the bank. He works days and attends night school for two years. At the age of 23, he leaves the bank to complete his high school education.

1928
*William Fahnlander’s father dies, leaving the 7-year-old boy to grow up without a dad

1938
*Elwood Cassedy graduates from Notre Dame

1939-40
*Taking the name Walter, Elwood Cassedy becomes a brother with the Order of the Holy Cross. He teaches at the Gibault School for Boys in Terre Haute, Indiana. Later he is assigned to St. Charles Boys Home,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

1941
*Brother Elwood Cassedy enters St. Paul Seminary, St. Paul, MN

1943
*William Fahnlander graduates from St. John’s, Collegeville, MN; enters St. Paul Seminary

1944
*Elwood Cassedy moves to Bismarck, ND, at the invitation of Bishop Vincent J. Ryan

*April 25 - Cassedy is ordained as a priest by Most Reverend Bishop Vincent Ryan in Bismarck, and given charge of three widely separated missions: Wing, Menoken and Driscoll. At the same time becomes assistant chaplain at St. Alexius Hospital.

1946
*June 11 - William Fahnlander ordained by Most Reverend Bishop Vincent J. Ryan. Assigned as assistant pastor at St. Mary’s, Bismarck

1947
*Fr. Fahnlander assigned as assistant pastor at St. Leo’s, Minot; also taught in graded high school and coached basketball; principal from 1950 to 1955.

*Fr. Cassedy serves a chaplain at St. Alexius Hospital, Bismarck, director of charities for the diocese, superintendent of St. Mary’s Cemetery and a teacher on staff of St. Mary’s High School

1949
*June 18th- Fr. Cassedy shares his dreams for a boys’ ranch at Bi-State Convention of the Eagles in Deadwood, SD. Delegates donate $123. A committee of FOE members is established to work with Fr. Cassedy

*Edward and Emma Lievens read article in Bismarck Tribune about Fr. Cassedy’s dream to start a boys’ ranch. Nearing retirement, they deed the land to Fr. Cassedy.

*Bishop Ryan releases Fr. Cassedy from his parish assignment to devote his efforts full-time to setting up the boys’ ranch

*During winter of 49-50, Fr. Cassedy travels North Dakota and his home state of New Jersey to raise funds for the ranch. Remodeling of a wooden granary on the ranch begins.

*December 28, 1949 - Home On The Range for Boys is incorporated under laws of the State of North Dakota. Incorporators were: Vincent J. Ryan, Bishop of Bismarck, ND; J.J. Rath, Vicar General of The Diocese of Bismarck; Elwood E. Cassedy; T. Clem Casey; and Ray Schnell.

*December 30 Bismarck Tribune: Fr. Cassedy announced Friday that a 940-acre (960?) ranch near Sentinel Butte has been donated for the establishment of a home and agricultural and trade school for delinquent boys.

1950
*January 21- Bismarck Eagles to donate $5,000 to Fr. Cassedy for construction of new dormitory, the first sizable cash contribution toward the project.

*February - Fr. Cassedy travels to Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home, Boys Town, Nebraska, to learn from Rev. Monsignor Nicholas H. Wegner, director.

*July 28, 1950 - three boys welcomed into remodeled granary on former Lievens farmstead: Eddie Schwartz; Leonard Schwartz; Harvey Gifford.

*August 31 - Excavation work begins on basement of new dormitory/all purpose building

*September 24 - benefit rodeo held at the American Legion Rodeo Grounds, Medora

1951
*February 16 - Fr. Cassedy addresses the ND Senate and House of Representatives

*October 27 - first official inspection of ranch (had six boys between the ages of 13 and 16. Staff consisted of Fr. Cassedy, farm supervisor and a cook.)

*Present Administration Building is completed; designed to house 28-35 boys

*First Christmas appeal letter is sent to supporters: mentions 43 head of cattle; 20 calves; 62 chickens; 7 pigs; 22 rabbits; 9 horses; 5 dogs

1952
*Dairy started so that fresh milk would be available for boys, with extra cream sold locally

1953
*Home On The Range receives Soil Conservation award for the most improved ranch in the county

1954
*Knights of Columbus raise money for the construction of the 4-H Barn

*Fr. Cassedy addresses his first National Eagles Convention in Chicago

1955
*July - Fr. William Fahnlander receives notice from Bishop Hoch that he is being assigned to St. Michael’s Parish in Sentinel Butte. He will also be the assistant to Fr. Cassedy

1956
*October - Walt Disney television show "Mickey Mouse Club" airs 15-minute film about Fr. Cassedy’s ranch, entitled "Ranch Opens New Life to Homeless Boys"

*Eagle Hall adopted as national program at Pittsburgh Grand Aerie Convention

1957
*April - Phil Bigley chairs "Give a Buck for a Brick" campaign to raise funds for recreation building

*May 19 - 1st Champions Ride Match Rodeo is held

*October 26 - Fr. Cassedy suffers his first heart attack

1958
*James Fahey, K
of C member, Lakota, ND, makes his first visit to ranch. Goes back to his council and raised $30 for the kids

*Boys from Home On The Range help build Burning Hills Amphitheater. A crew of 10-12 boys work daily, from the time school got out the end of May until June 23. Boys also took part in the drama itself: appearing as cowhands, vigilantes, controlling lights.

*Census of 31 boys

*Fr. Cassedy unable to attend National Eagles convention, recuperating from his heart attack

*Fr. Fahnlander becomes acting superintendent

*December: Fr. Cassedy returns to visit the 28 boys at HOTR

1959
*March - Fr. Fahnlander gives up St. Michael’s Parish and went to work full-time at HOTR

*Sunday May 24 - Ground breaking ceremony for Eagle Hall at 1 p.m.; Champions Ride Bronc Riding Match at 2 p.m.

*October 1 - Fr. Cassedy returns to ranch after a 2-year rest; pens the annual Christmas appeal letter

*October 15 - Fr. Cassedy dies from a second heart attack at the age of 51

*October 19 - Pontifical Requiem Funeral Mass held at St. John’s Church, Beach. Sermon delivered by Most Reverend Hilary B. Hacker, Bishop of Bismarck

*Fr. Fahnlander named superintendent

1960
*July 3 - 500 people attend dedication ceremonies of Eagle Hall. The hall has room for 50 boys; census had been held at 28 boys until completed.

*Benefit performance of Old Four Eyes at Burning Hills Amphitheater

*Caged layers added to farm

1961
*Shamrocks become a statewide project of the ND Knights of Columbus

*Champions Ride moves from May to August

*40 boys now at ranch

1963
*Laying hens now producing 4,000 eggs/day. Eggs used at the ranch and sold to 3 grocery stores, 2 cafes, the hospital in Dickinson, with the surplus being shipped to Spokane for sale.

*56 beef cattle; 38 milk cows, plus pigs

*Over 200 boys have called the ranch home

*Ranch borrowed money to purchase a quarter of tillable land, bringing ranch to 1,100 acres

1964
*April - Fr. Fahnlander’s family has grown to 48 boys

*June - Minnesota FOEs purchase International 806 square baler for the ranch, present it at Minnesota FOE Convention in Faribault

1965
*August - 40 boys at the ranch; about 260 have made it their home over the past 15 years. Would eventually grow to 50 by year-end, coming from 14 different states

*FOE Auxiliaries collecting stamps for school bus

1966
*Fr. Fahnlander nominated for Bi-State Eagles Hall of Fame

*June - Fr. Cassedy named among 25 "Heroes of Dakota" by historian Bob Kunkel. Others in the group: entertainer Peggy Lee; commentator Eric Sevareid; home run king Roger Maris.

*August - Eagles Auxiliaries present new 42-passenger school bus to ranch; earned through Gold Bond Stamp’s

*Laying flock increased to 7,000 - provides work of 8 boys

1968
*Michigan Eagles complete meat processing plant so ranch can slaughter its own meat

1969
*Interstate 94 completed, bringing HOTR within site of travelers

*August - Fr. Fahnlander receives "The Ten Commandments Award" at the International Eagles Convention in Minneapolis. (At that time, he was only the 4th clergyman to be recognized.)

1970
*Ray Schnell and Clem Casey pass away. Howard W. Hardy and John Ehrmantraut named to replace the founding directors.

*Beef cattle herd phased out

1971
*Trade shop is completed: contains auto and welding shop, a wood shop, hobby shop, and rock shop

*Construction began on new dairy barn to house 110 cows; currently milking 30

1972
*2,000 people attend dedication of modern dairy barn. Bishop Hacker attends.

*Ranch produces all its own meat, milk, eggs and vegetables; staff of 17; 10 horses for riding

*November - Grade A operation includes 86 cows in a confinement barn

*48 boys on census; 17 staff

1975
*July - 25th Anniversary reunion held

*Census of 48 boys; over 600-650 former boys

1977
*Gil Ebner becomes director of operations

1978
*Increased staff numbers so that we have been able to give our boys more attention and provide better for their needs

*Fr. Fahnlander appointed pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish, Beach, in addition to his duties at St. Michael’s and HOTR

1979
*Wally Thompson becomes director

*Champions Ride becomes full PRCA rodeo

1980
*Early July - celebrated 30th anniversary with a reunion of former boys; 100 former boys, many with wives and families gathered to renew memories

1981
*L. Michael Reese becomes director

*Reality therapy is added to the work program at the ranch

*Champions Ride celebrates 25th anniversary

1982
*September - began construction on new kitchen, dining hall and laundry

1983
*26 full-time employees; 14 deal directly with the boys as counselors and case workers

*80-cow Grade A dairy; ranch pasteurizes 100 gallons of milk every week for its own use. Ranch also raises it own beef, pork and most of the garden produce and feed for the herds

*Completed Brunet Hall; named after Carl Brunet, Cedar Knolls, NJ, a friend of Fr. Cassedy’s

1984
*Social worker begin working with the families of our boys

1985
*Returned to a beef operation and developing the horse program

*Champions Ride returns to matched bronc riding, eliminates PRCA events

1986
*July - Winston Satran assumes duties of director

*Fr. Fahnlander observes 40th anniversary of priesthood

1987
*Over 1500 boys have lived at the ranch

*Dakota State Eagles Aeries purchase 27 Gelbvieh heifers for ranch; ladies Auxiliaries buy two bulls

*December 31 - Fr. Fahnlander retires in December after 32 years with the ranch. He continues to serve as chaplain and on the board of directors; is given the title superintendent emeritus

1988

*February - HOTR signs contract with ND Dept. of Human Services to provide two beds for emergency shelter care placements

1989
*January - HOTR Board Members vote to move forward with development of girls’ facility at Sentinel Butte Ranch

*April - HOTR Program Director visits Boys Town to develop a training program specifically for HOTR

*October - HOTR Capital Campaign kicks off. Money raised will allow for addition of girls as well as general updating of buildings. First capital campaign since 1959 when Eagles raised money to build Eagle Hall

*Eagles Grand Worthy President Dale Webster, presents HOTR with a $10,000 Jimmy Durante Children’s Fund grant on behalf of the Grand Auxiliary. He and GMP Kathy Gonzagowski encourage Aeries and Auxiliaries to join in the cause of raising money to expand program to include girls.

1990
*40th anniversary of HOTR

*Spring - new sewage system installed

*Staff four-plex remodeled for girls dorm; first residents arrives August 20

*Montana Governor Stan Stephens invites HOTR to expand services for girls to eastern Montana

1991
*January - census of 55 boys and 15 girls

*July 1 - Fr. Fahnlander retires from service to the parishes of St. John and St. Michael; serves as Priest in Residence at Christ the King Parish, Mandan

*July - Fr. Fahnlander inducted into the Eagle Auxiliary Hall of Fame at International Convention held in Cincinnati

1992
*March - HOTR opens capital campaign office in Glendive to raise funds for Big Sky Branch

*Spring - new 10,000 gallon water storage tank buried behind Cassedy Hill

*August - Casey Hall rededicated after extensive renovations

1993
*70 residents in our care

*September - HOTR purchases home on 65 acres near Glendive for girls’ residence

*November - Big Sky Ranch opens; licensed for 8 girls

1994
*January - full census of 57 boys and 20 girls at Sentinel Butte

*Bernie Keller names first HOTR Alumni Award winner

*October - HOTR purchases St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Sentinel Butte, after the parish closes. The building is renamed St. Michael’s Retreat Center and is used for workshops, retreats and public events.

1995
*Staff of 65 employees caring for 57 boys and 20 girls

*Tom Newman, Glen Burnie, Maryland, accepts alumni award

*June - Diocese of Bismarck holds Town and Country Celebration at HOTR

*November - Fargo’s Adolescent Dependency Task Force approaches Home On The Range about operating a facility in eastern North Dakota; planning begins for Red River Victory Ranch

1996
*February - Fr. Fahnlander celebrates his 75th birthday

*Spring - Construction begins on Red River Victory Ranch, Fargo

*May - Leon Lorz is selected as alumni award winner

*June - Fr. Fahnlander celebrates 50 years in the priesthood

*August - 40th annual Champions Ride Rodeo

*September - Fr. Fahnlander receives the Ruth Meiers Service to Children Award from the ND Conference of Social Welfare

1997
*March 5 - Red River Victory Ranch, Fargo, opens it doors to boys with chemical dependency issues

*April - HOTR receives national accreditation from Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children

*Lyle Bohn named alumni award winner

*October - Winston Satran resigns as executive director after 12 years

*December - Randy Satrom becomes executive director

1998
*Clarence DeTennacour posthumously presented with alumni award

*December - Big Sky Ranch celebrates is 5th anniversary: 53 girls have made the ranch their home

1999
*March - ND Knights of Columbus celebrate 40th anniversary of Shamrock Project

*March - Red River Victory Ranch students attend alternative classroom in Fargo

*May - Patrick Petermann named executive director

*Ed Dohman presented with alumni award

*HOTR Foundation legally incorporated with State of North Dakota

*Sentinel Butte Ranch opens alternative on-ranch classroom

 

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