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This report details a number of proposals for developing the Elkhorn Ranch site as a part of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park. Following a brief description of the site’s history and reasoning for the site’s preservation, plans for the development of the site are described, to make the area accessible and understandable to visitors. Maps and photographs are included along with the text.
1956-11
The document outlines the history of Medora, North Dakota, since its founding in 1883 by French nobleman Antoine Amédée Marie Vincent Manca de Vallombrosa Morès and his wife, Medora von Hoffman, after whom the town is named. The significance of the cattle industry in the town is highlighted and prominent men associated with Medora, such as Theodore Roosevelt and the poet James W. Foley, are also noted. A map of Medora is included. On the map, an arrow notes the location of a hearing.
Unknown
James W. Foley provides updates on several “old timers” from western North Dakota, including Jack Tisdale, Frank Moore, Riley Luffsey, the Ferris family, and the Morès family. Foley’s children are all married and have left the area.
State Historical Society of North Dakota
1916-01-08
The small town of Medora, North Dakota, once had aspirations of “becoming the metropolis of the western plains.” The first settlement in the area was Little Missouri, a former army cantonment that had been sold to the public. The Marquis de Morès founded Medora and eventually built a packing plant and hotel.
State Historical Society of North Dakota
Unknown
St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Medora, North Dakota, was built in 1884 by Medora von Hoffman, the wife of the Marquis de Morès, and is one of North Dakota’s historic churches. A photograph of the church’s interior is included with the newspaper article.
State Historical Society of North Dakota
Unknown
Theodore Roosevelt believes he should accept Mayor William Russell Grace’s offer but requests Douglas Robinson’s opinion on the earnestness of the offer and the likelihood of the appointment. Roosevelt is preparing for a hunt in the Rocky Mountains and may need to draw on Robinson to cover expenses as he has not completed some literary projects. He has been on the roundup for five weeks but took some time off for hunting. Roosevelt does not expect to make a great fortune, but is optimistic of his ranching future.
1886-06-28
Herbert Evison, Chief of Information for the National Park Service, informs John Bennett Silas that a copy of the letter Silas sent to NPS Headquarters in Washington, D.C., is being forwarded to the Superintendent of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park. Silas’s letter informed the NPS of his mother’s family’s association with Theodore Roosevelt and the Marquis de Mores when all were living in the North Dakota Badlands. Evison notes that TRNMP will be interested in this information given the upcoming dedication ceremony for the park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1949-05-05
Photograph of the Civilian Conservation Corps constructing the Marquis de Mores memorial, as the statue is being prepared to be hoisted by rope in Medora, North Dakota.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1930-1939
Photograph of the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed statue of the Marquis de Morès in Medora, North Dakota.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1939-1941
Photograph of the Chateau de Morès in Medora, North Dakota.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1939-1941
Photograph of four unknown Civilian Conservation Corps enrollees standing in front of a completed shelter at the Chateau de Morès in Medora, North Dakota.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1939-1941
Photograph of the chimney and other remnants of the meat packing plant operated by the Marquis de Morès in Medora, North Dakota.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1939-1941
S. Claude Burr thanks George B. Cortelyou for his letter regarding the story of President Roosevelt’s “so-called duel incident” with the Marquis de Morès. Burr requests confirmation of particular points of the story as told by Fred Herrig. Burr emphasizes that he is trying to get at the true story before false versions become widely spread by other writers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-02-20
S. Claude Burr is writing a series of articles as told by “frontier types” and would like President Roosevelt to confirm the information attained from his interview with Frederick Herrig. Herrig worked and hunted with Roosevelt in the Badlands, and was also a Rough Rider. Most of Herrig’s information is about the incident when the Marquis de Morès challenged Roosevelt to a duel.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-02-02
S. Claude Burr requests President Roosevelt’s version of the challenged duel with the Marquis de Morès. Burr received a unique account of the story from Fred Herrig. Burr intends to publish the story.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-02-10
Ray H. Mattison writes to Herbert Oliver Brayer regarding business operations relative to cattle outfits in the Badlands. Mattison also informs Brayer that Theodore Roosevelt National Park does not have any photographs of the Marquis de Morès.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1950-04-14
Undated brief history of the beef corral and packing plant built by Marquis de Morès in 1884, including a diagram and details about its development as a prairie dog town.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Unknown
Chester L. Brooks writes to Hermann Hagedorn regarding microfilming the Bad Lands Cowboy and inquires after a letter between Theodore Roosevelt and the Marquis de Morès.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1954-03-26
Typed excerpt of an article about the Marquis de Morès and his wife on a bear hunt taken from the Bismarck Daily Tribune, April 15, 1886.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1949
Allyn F. Hanks writes to Carleton Putnam regarding Putnam’s plans to visit Medora, North Dakota, for research. Hanks suggests Putnam also visit the State Historical Society in Bismarck as well. Putnam is writing a biography of Roosevelt.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1952-08-08