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National Park Service Director Drury spoke with H. A. Mackoff, owner of the Elkhorn Ranch site, regarding the potential for government acquisition of the property. He made it clear that funds were not available for purchase and that any land exchange would be based on the market value of the land, not the historic value.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1949-02-08
H. A. Mackoff is not interested in exchanging the Elkhorn Ranch site for public lands outside of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Superintendent Hanks should investigate other means of acquiring the land, possibly through a third party such as the North Dakota State Historical Society. Both original letter and copy are included.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1949-02-18
National Park Service Regional Director Merriam believes that the prices demanded by H. A. Mackoff and Theodore C. Kellogg for their land within Theodore Roosevelt National Park, including the Elkhorn Ranch site, is excessive. He hopes to “exhaust all reasonable possibilities for exchange” and welcomes Director Drury’s comments or suggestions.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1948-10-29
Representative Lemke writes to James B. Connolly regarding the upcoming dedication ceremony for Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park. Lemke approves of Connolly’s idea of inviting governors from neighboring states to the dedication. Lemke also asks Connolly to find out what the sellers of the Elkhorn Ranch site are asking for the land.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1948-09-17
Representative Lemke writes to James B. Connolly regarding the National Park Service’s attempts to acquire the Elkhorn Ranch site. Lemke does not believe that Congress will make appropriations to purchase the site at the valuation given by H. A. Mackoff. He suggests that the Elkhorn Ranch might need to be reconstructed on federal land elsewhere.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1948-09-01
Mr. Mackoff and Mr. Kellogg are not willing to donate the Elkhorn Ranch site but are prepared to make an attractive offer. The property could be acquired by others and donated to the government.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1948-09-14