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Charles M. Ziebach, acting superintendent of Sullys Hill National Park, responds to Secretary of the Interior Fisher’s request for a report showing what roads have been constructed in the park by either the state of North Dakota or any county in the state. No road work has ever been done in the park.
1913-02-26
Charles M. Ziebach, superintendent of Sullys Hill National Park, is unable to send printed material about the park to Gladys Truax. Due to a lack of federal appropriation, no printed information has ever been made.
1912-03-20
Charles M. Ziebach, superintendent of Sullys Hill National Park, submits an estimate of the financial needs of the park for the coming fiscal year.
1913-07-29
Superintendent Charles M. Ziebach submits his annual report on Sullys Hill National Park to Secretary of the Interior Garfield. No money has been appropriated for the park, so no improvements have been made. Visitors numbers are low and will remain so without any appropriations to allow for improvements.
1908-12-07
Charles L. Davis, superintendent of Sullys Hill National Park, encloses for George W. H. Davis a report from Secretary of the Interior Ethan Allen Hitchcock which will shed light on the park’s status. Davis notes that Hitchcock did not request appropriation for the park. He believes that the North Dakota delegation should demonstrate more interest in the park and makes the case for the park’s importance. It has geological and historical significance, and with the right financial support it could become a popular recreation site for North Dakotans.
1905-01-24
Charles L. Davis, acting superintendent of Sullys Hill National Park, updates First Assistant Secretary of the Interior Thomas Ryan on the recent usage of the land comprising the park. It has largely been used by the Native American tribe at Devils Lake. It is still snowing in North Dakota, and the recreation season will not start until June. A half-native man was arrested for illegally chopping timber in the park.
1905-05-10
Charles L. Davis updates Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock about the current situation at Sullys Hill National Park. Because Congress did not appropriate any money he requested, Davis explains that no improvements have been made to the park. He believes the improvements would have increased the usage of the park, which was quite low. Davis wants to improve the roads, prepare campgrounds, and allow for a caretaker to live at the site.
1905-11-13
Charles L. Davis, acting superintendent of Sullys Hill National Park, responds to Henry M. Gray’s request for information about how to secure an appropriation for the park. Davis believes that it is too late in the current session of Congress to do anything through members of North Dakota’s delegation, but suggests that Gray appeal to Senator Henry Clay Hansbrough. The only thing to do locally is show public interest in the development in the park.
1906-03-15
In response to a request from John H. Worst to apply for examination of forest lands at Sullys Hill National Park, acting superintendent Charles L. Davis says that he does not believe he has the authority to make the request. Changing the park as Worst requests would require an act of Congress. Davis notes that Congress has made no further legislation or appropriation for the park since President Roosevelt’s initial proclamation creating it. The park was created at the request of the Native American tribe who resides nearby, and Davis’s duty is to represent their interests.
1906-04-12
Charles L. Davis gives Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock the requested report on the use and operation of Sullys Hill National Park for 1906. Davis’s duties at the Devils Lake Agency made it impossible for him to closely monitor visitors to the park. He notes the lack of appropriations from Congress, which have made it impossible to improve or develop the park. Davis recommends that if the Department of the Interior does not intend to provide funding for the park, the land be returned to the public domain and sold so that the funds can benefit the Native American tribes who originally occupied the land.
1906-08-06
Charles L. Davis, acting superintendent of Sullys Hill National Park, asks Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock for further information about the act in question, which he is not familiar with. Hitchcock previously sent Davis a letter with an estimate blank and called his attention to a certain section of the act.
1906-08-17
Charles L. Davis advises Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock that he will be leaving North Dakota when his term as superintendent of Fort Totten Indian School terminates shortly. He assumes that the Department of the Interior will instruct his successor, Charles M. Ziebach, to continue management of Sullys Hill National Park.
1906-10-08
Acting Superintendent Charles L. Davis acknowledges the new executive order requiring the eight-hour law to be observed by contractors or other public workers. He points out that no money has been appropriated for maintenance or improvement in Sullys Hill National Park, and so no public work is being done there.
1906-10-08
Superintendent Charles M. Ziebach submits to Secretary of the Interior Garfield the annual report on Sullys Hill National Park for 1907. With funding for improvements, visitation could increase. Ziebach has submitted an estimate for the amount it would take to improve the park and hopes it will be received favorably.
1907-09-21
After being named acting superintendent of the newly-created Sullys Hill National Park, Charles L. Davis provides Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock with information about the geographical features and flora and fauna in the park. It is one of very few wooded areas in North Dakota, and Davis believes it should be developed so that it can grow into a popular retreat for the public. Davis estimates it will need a $6000 appropriation for development and upkeep.
1904-09-28
Superintendent Charles M. Ziebach provides an annual report on Sullys Hill National Park for Secretary of the Interior Ballinger. Given that no appropriations have been made to improve the park, conditions are the same as last year. With no money for improvements, very few visitors come to the park. Ziebach is requesting a $3,000 appropriation for repairs and improvements.
1909-08-17
Superintendent Charles M. Ziebach submits the annual report on Sullys Hill National Park to Secretary of the Interior Fisher. Because Congress did not appropriate any money to the park, conditions there have not changed. The roads are in very bad repair and money is needed to make improvements that will encourage people to come to the park. If an appropriation is not provided this year, Ziebach suggests that the land be turned into a forest reserve.
1911-11-14
Charles M. Ziebach, superintendent of Sully’s Hill National Park, responds to Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Lloyd M. Brett’s letter about a suggestion that beaver from Yellowstone be trapped and sent to other national parks. Ziebach believes that conditions at Sully’s Hill are conducive to beaver and would like to receive a few if Brett implements the suggestion.
1911-12-27
Charles M. Ziebach, superintendent of Sullys Hill National Park, informs Secretary of the Interior Fisher that the environment in the park would be suitable for beaver. If the department decides to send beaver from Yellowstone National Park to other parks, he would like at least two pairs to be sent to Sully’s Hill.
1912-01-29
Charles M. Ziebach, superintendent of Sullys Hill National Park, acknowledges Secretary of the Interior Fisher’s letter and says that he does not think it is advisable to take pictures of the park at the current time due to the cold weather and large amount of snow. He will send pictures to his office as soon as the weather permits.
1912-03-20