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Theodore Roosevelt National Park was established by an Act of Congress in 1947 to memorialize Roosevelt’s western legacy and his conservation ethic. The national park encompasses roughly 70,000 acres of rugged badlands in western North Dakota, the place about which Roosevelt declared, “It was here that the romance of my life began.”
The Theodore Roosevelt National Park collection includes federal documents, historical studies, photographs, and a variety of three-dimensional items related to the development of the park. Historical studies such as Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch, written by National Park Service historians, offer insight into Theodore Roosevelt’s time as a rancher in the Badlands. Other materials tell the story of how two Civilian Conservation Corps camps and the National Park Service developed the early infrastructure and framework of the park. Historical photographs depict the park’s development and illuminate the history of other nearby points of interest, including the town of Medora, the Chateau de Mores State Historic Site, and former ranches now within the park boundary.
This collection has been digitized and cataloged on site at Theodore Roosevelt National Park by digital library staff. See below to view items from this collection in the digital library.
Digitization of items at the National Park sites was possible thanks to National Park Service Centennial Challenge Funding in partnership with Dickinson State University.
Park staff pose for a group photo during a roundup held from October 12 to October 19 at the wildlife handling facility in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1964-10
A bison herd is moved during a roundup, held from October 12 to October 19, to the wildlife handling facility in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1964-10
Park staff position a bison into the ready chute during a roundup held in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1964-10
A bison’s head is visible through the boards of a wildlife squeeze chute during a roundup held from October 12 to October 19, 1964, at the wildlife handling facility in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1964-10
A large corral stands adjacent to holding pens at the wildlife handling facility in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1964-10
A park employee inspects the newly constructed squeeze chute at the wildlife handling facility in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1964
Park staff construct a squeeze chute at the wildlife handling facility in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1964
Interior photograph of park staff constructing the squeeze chute at the wildlife handling facility in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1964
An employee operates the squeeze chute at the wildlife handling facility in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1964-08-18
A squeeze chute awaits animals in transport at the wildlife handling facility in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1964-08-18
Bison are being loaded onto a truck to be shipped to the North Unit after a roundup in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1963-11-12
An American Bison runs through a holding pen in the wildlife handling facility, as an employee stands on a ladder nearby, during a roundup in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1963-11-12
A roped bison is examined by a veterinarian in the squeeze chute during a roundup at Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1962-11
An American bison is being vaccinated in a chute at the wildlife handling facility as the animals are being prepare to be shipped to the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1962-11
An American bison is examined by a veterinarian during a roundup prior to the animals being shipped to the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
National Park Service; Rouse, Homer L., 1936-1996
2019-03-14
Wildlife chutes and holding corral stand at the wildlife handling facility in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1969-09-18
Wildlife chutes and pens stand at the wildlife handling facility in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1969-09-18
A livestock squeeze chute and pens stand at the wildlife handling facility in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1969-09-18
A livestock squeeze chute stands at the wildlife handling facility in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1969-09-18
Workers surround a roped bison being tested by a veterinarian during a roundup from October 12 to October 19, 1964, in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1964-10