Cal Farley

Who was Cal Farley?

Cal Farley was an American professional wrestler and businessman. He has been called "America's Greatest Foster Father".

Farley was born in Saxton, Iowa and grew up in Elmore, Minnesota. He started playing semi-professional baseball as a teenager and served in the United States Army during World War I. While in the army, he competed as a wrestler and after the war became a professional wrestler.

He moved to Amarillo, Texas in 1923 and took over a tire shop. In 1934, he started the Maverick Club, an athletic club for boys, and in 1939 founded the residential childcare facility known as Boys Ranch, located near Old Tascosa, a largely otherwise abandoned community in Oldham County north of Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle.

Farley also founded Girlstown, U.S.A. near Whiteface some forty-five miles west of Lubbock.

In 1944, Farley launched the annual Boys Ranch and Girlstown rodeo held over the Labor Day weekend.

The facilities have a strong spiritual program, with nondenominational Sunday morning chapel services and weekly Bible studies offered. The children are encouraged to participate in music ministry, read scripture, offer prayers, and serve as ushers. Education is provided by Boys Ranch Independent School District.