1880 Cowboy Town — Attraction in Benton Township

In my opinion, some people who have reviewed this are misunderstanding this attraction. Whether intentionally or not, this is a place that shows how Americans (and most of the world who took in our movies, tv, etc.) used to tell the story of the West, and a perhaps-accidentally poignant testament to how, in the 1960s and 70s, Americans sort of fell out of love with the mythos of pioneers, cowboys, Indians, and the settlement by (mostly) European-descended people of conquered Native land, and how we used to tell the stories of that settlement and the brutal wars fought to make the West tame and no longer the free domain of Indian nations and the traders and mountain men. It's a historical document of how we once told these stories, and its faded paint, failing animatronics, 1950s-style info voiceovers and the like stand as testament to how we as a mass culture have moved on (see: Houston Colt .45s become the Houston Astros, for an allegory). Post-script: the bison farm is pretty cool to look at, and the bison sticks I bought...

Five hours from Mount Rushmore, this old cowboy town is a hidden gem. I wish there was more of these bygone exhibitions that cling to remnants of the past and give the visitor a thrill because of the state of disrepair it’s in (which is a great deal of it’s charm). It’s authenticity to the time it was built in the 1960’s means little has changed and the chipped maniquins barely holding on give a creepy but entertaining air. The buffalo roaming by were the cherry on top.

Brad, the owner, is as enthusiastic as he is grateful to have visitors come in. All in all, let your curiosity lead you there. This was an exciting stop, old Americana lovers and oddity enthusiasts...

This place looks like it was pretty nice 50 years ago but hasn't been kept up since. Buildings are in tough shape, are dirty, and most smell bad. Admission was $8 adults, $4 kids. Didn't see any bison, no surprise as there was also no grass, but the kids enjoyed climbing the lookout tower, and there was a lot of interesting stuff to read. There were oodles of fireworks for sale, as well as bison skulls, etc. Also has loads of snacks and travel food available, along with fuel. The owner was kind and welcoming. We don't regret stopping, just wish the place could get some...