Following a legal suit to determine ownership of Bear Country, U.S.A., co-founder Pauline Casey and three of her children Shannon Ballard, Mike Casey, and John Casey, are now the owners of the popular Black Hills tourist attraction. Pauline’s oldest children, Kevin, Dennis, Brendan, & Sean Casey, were recently bought out of the business and are no longer shareholders of the Corporation. “I am glad for the family’s sake that this chapter has ended. We wish Kevin, Dennis, Brendan and Sean well as they move on to other endeavors”, Pauline said.
The drive-thru wildlife park was founded in 1972 by Pauline and her late husband Dennis “Doc” Casey. Pauline will continue to play an active role in the management of the park. “I am excited about this new era at Bear Country U.S.A. and the preservation of the dream which my husband and I built so many years ago. We have been in the community for 38 years and look forward to continuing to provide a unique and educational experience for our visitors for years to come”, she said.
Related, two ranches owned separately by Casey family partnerships, the Casey and MillIron ranches bordering Wind Cave National Park, were sold at an absolute auction on July 21, 2010.