Founded in 1939 by Cal Farley, a champion athlete and successful businessman, Boys Ranch grew from his years of work with underprivileged boys and from the youth programs Kids, Inc. and the Maverick Boys Club in Amarillo that he helped establish. Its beginning came when Panhandle rancher Julian Bivins gave the old courthouse and 120 acres on the site of the historic Wild West town of Tascosa, making it possible to provide a place of support for homeless, confused, and destitute boys from across the nation. From a humble start in the Old Tascosa courthouse with six boys, a cook, a superintendent, and his wife, the ranch expanded to its later size and capacity through the gifts, interest, and generosity of thousands of people. Many hundreds of former residents later lived successful and productive lives across America because of the support they found there.