The Country School Lodge is known to many as the former Richland School. What began as a country school has grown into a family lodge rooted in generations of Holan family history, hard work, and a love for the outdoors. The school was built in 1962 by a man who flew in from Iowa and constructed the building using cement blocks. The school holds a special place in the Holan family’s heart, as Dennis and Linda K. Holan’s children all attended classes there when it was still open. The school sits just one-fourth mile east of the family’s home, making its history even more personal.

In the fall of 1996, Dennis and Linda purchased the former school with plans for their son, Mike, to make it his home. The land itself carries an even longer family history, as it originally belonged to Mike C. Holan, Mike’s great-grandfather. With deep family roots in the property and a vision for its future, the building began a new chapter. Mike, a graduate of Mitchell Technical Institute with a degree in Agricultural Management, became an important part of the family’s vision. The original plan included living quarters for Mike in half of the upstairs, with hunter accommodations in the other half and downstairs. Over time, the property developed into the Country School Lodge that hunters know today.

Dennis’s passion for hunting, farming, and the outdoors helped establish the foundation for the lodge. His legacy continues through Mike, who plays a major role in the family business as a hunter, guide, and farmer. Mike’s wife, Linda M. Holan, and their children are also involved, alongside other family members who help keep the lodge running. The next generation is already preparing to carry the tradition forward. Mike and Linda’s son, Graden, is attending Mitchell Technical College, where he is studying Precision Agriculture. After graduating in May 2026, he plans to return to the family business and farm, bringing his education and skills back home to help continue what previous generations have built.

Country School Lodge is more than a place for hunters to stay. It represents a family’s connection to the land, a former school filled with memories, and a tradition passed down through generations. From its beginnings as Richland School to its role today as a welcoming gathering place for hunters from near and far, the lodge remains grounded in family, hard work, and a shared love for the outdoors. As the Holan family continues to build on its history, Country School Lodge remains a place where hunters can gather, relax, share stories, and make lasting memories—a legacy that will continue for generations to come.