Your TR Source
Photograph of two men surveying a portion of land sectioned off with white markers for an archeological excavation at the Elkhorn Ranch.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1957
National Park Service Regional Director Baker informs Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park Superintendent Hanks that money is available for conducting an archeological project at the Elkhorn Ranch, but archaeologist Paul L. Beaubien will be preoccupied for some time.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1949-11-07
Associate Regional Director Baker returns the draft of historian Ray H. Mattison’s study of the Elkhorn Ranch site. Baker found the study to be excellent and illuminating. Regulations will not allow an archaeological excavation on private land, but the Elkhorn site could receive an “archeological surface reconnaissance.”
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1949-12-22
Paul L. Beaubien reports on his preliminary archaeological study of the Elkhorn Ranch. He offers an opinion of where the ranch buildings were located. Beaubien also visited other local sites and provides several photographs from the Elkhorn Ranch site.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1950-08-25
After reviewing Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park Historian Ray H. Mattison’s report on identifying the Elkhorn Ranch site, it has been determined that the proposed Elkhorn Ranch development can move forward. Even with the report, further evidence will need to be acquired through an archaeological reconnaissance.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1950-02-17
Jerome C. Miller informs Superintendent Hanks that the regional office is forwarding a copy of Archeologist Paul L. Beaubien’s report of his visit of July 23-29. The regional office believes nothing further can be completed until the Elkhorn Ranch land is acquired. Original and copy.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1950-09-01
Acting Chief of Interpretation Doerr believes that the Elkhorn Ranch site deserves special attention during the development of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park. He encourages historical and archaeological studies regarding the site as soon as possible. Original and copy.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1958-09-04
Historian Ray H. Mattison argues against a study to investigate the repositories of Theodore Roosevelt’s papers in order to collect the information necessary to conduct an archaeological investigation of the Elkhorn Ranch site. He believes that such a study would be redundant as several historians have already researched Roosevelt’s time in the Dakotas. Mattison suggests contacting the relevant historians before beginning a study, and that new information may be revealed through an examination of the papers of William Wingate Sewall, one of Roosevelt’s foremen who helped construct the ranch. Original and copy.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1958-09-22
The National Park Service is planning on excavating the Elkhorn Ranch site and is searching for information regarding the layout and activities of the site. Historian Ray H. Mattison requests Hermann Hagedorn’s opinion on the value of William Wingate Sewall’s papers, currently in the possession of one of Sewall’s daughters.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1958-09-24
Paul L. Beaubien thanks Professor Taylor for his letter and the summary of activities at the Elkhorn Ranch site the previous summer. Beaubien makes many comments on the status of the dig, both about Taylor’s activities, as well as what had been done on the earlier excavation by Beaubien. He makes special comment asking whether the area had been flooded since Theodore Roosevelt lived there, and expresses his hopes for Taylor’s final report.
1959-12-01
A number of fence posts were discovered through an archaeological survey of the Elkhorn Ranch site. This description includes a drawing of the location of the posts, as well as detailed drawings and measurements of the arrangement of several posts.
Unknown