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Ray H. Mattison gives a historical summary of the construction and use of Theodore Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch, and discusses the buildings present there. Mattison draws from a number of sources, including books, letters, photographs, and interviews to try to give a complete picture of the ranch and its activities.
1960-05
Theodore Roosevelt National Park Historian Mattison confirms receipt of Professor Taylor’s report, “Archeological Investigations of the Elkhorn Ranch Site.” Mattison also informs Taylor that Paul L. Beaubien, who had performed earlier excavations on the site, has passed away.
1962-07-19
Acting Regional Director Novak acknowledges receipt from National Park Service Director Wirth of an earlier memorandum concerning the archaeological investigation of the Elkhorn Ranch site. Novak notes that copies of the site report should be received by July 20, and that he believes the quality of the report will be excellent.
1962-06-20
The Acting Regional Chief, History & Archeology, submits a requisition form to pay Betty Powell Taylor, wife of Dee Calderwood Taylor, for her labor in helping prepare the final report of the archeological investigations conducted at the Elkhorn Ranch. Taylor must submit a typed report in triplicate by July 20, 1962 to receive payment.
1962-06-18
Acting Regional Director Baggley responds to a request regarding the status of the report on the archaeological investigations undertaken at Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park. Baggley relays a letter from Professor Dee Calderwood Taylor who oversaw the excavations. Taylor states that while he had been busy teaching classes recently, he plans to finish the report by September.
1961-07-26
Paul L. Beaubien asks Dee Calderwood Taylor how the work is coming on his report on the excavation at the Elkhorn Ranch the previous summer. He also inquires about the recreational potential of Pictograph and Ghost Caves near Billings, Montana. Beaubien encloses materials regarding the National Survey of Historic Sites and Buildings, and asks if Taylor knows of any archaeological sites that merit preservation.
1960-03-30
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
Paul L. Beaubien writes to Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park Superintendent Jay regarding the findings of Dee Calderwood Taylor at the Elkhorn Ranch site. Beaubien has inquired regarding the status of Taylor’s report, and will forward any information he receives. Several books were loaned to Taylor to assist with his report, and Beaubien asks if Jay would consider donating a copy of Bill Sewall’s Story of T.R. to the park, as they do not have an official copy.
1959-11-12
Paul L. Beaubien, regional archaeologist, writes to Superintendent Jay of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park, forwarding his personal research file containing photographs and notes related to his work at the Elkhorn Ranch site in 1957. Beaubien notifies Jay of an upcoming visit by Herbert E. Kahler and Merrill J. Mathes. Beaubien also plans to prepare a memorandum suggesting further excavations at the Maltese Cross Cabin site.
1959-08-14
Professor Taylor writes to Regional Archeologist Beaubien of the National Park Service describing the progress of excavations on the Elkhorn Ranch site. Taylor includes a drawing of the layout of the blacksmith’s shop that was excavated.
1959-07-29
Acting Regional Director M. H. Harvey acknowledges receipt of a memorandum related to purchasing items for the archaeological expedition to the Elkhorn Ranch site. Harvey advises issuing a work order detailing the anticipated expenditures. An account will be established once such a work order is received.
1959-07-15
Regional Archaeologist Beaubien writes to Professor Taylor of Montana State University regarding the ongoing investigation of the Elkhorn Ranch site. Superintendent John W. Jay of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park has visited the site and is pleased with the progress. Jay also offered some suggestions for a future project to be led by Taylor. Beaubien describes some of his previous actions regarding the site, as well as his plans to take photographs of the site from the air.
1959
This document presents a position description for an archaeologist managing the excavation, interpretation, and reporting of the site of Theodore Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch. It includes a description of the duties demanded by the position, the scope and effect of the work, what sorts of supervision and guidance the position will receive, the mental demands that may be expected, and the personal work contacts that will be part of the position.
1959
Historian Ray H. Mattison responds to H. Raymond Gregg, the regional chief of interpretation, regarding a proposal that the National Park Service make an intensive investigation of Theodore Roosevelt’s personal papers in order to gather information to make an archaeological investigation of the Elkhorn Ranch site. Mattison notes that he and others have already made thorough investigations into the relevant materials, and he believes there would be little to gain from retreading the same materials. He agrees, however, that the Elkhorn Ranch deserves a detailed study.
1958-09-22
Regional Director Baker writes to National Park Service Director Wirth to respond to an earlier memorandum from Acting Chief of Interpretation John E. Doerr. The earlier memo expressed concern over the scheduling of Regional Archaeologist Paul L. Beaubien, as he was moving from project to project without having enough time to finish any of them. Baker seeks to explain the reason for this, and gives an assessment of the priorities and costs relating to the Elkhorn Ranch project. A proposal is being developed for a fuller investigation of the Elkhorn Ranch site.
1958-08-15
Regional Archaeologist Beaubien writes to National Park Service Director Wirth regarding the construction of a diorama of Theodore Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch. Beaubien encloses a number of photographs and has forwarded letters, maps, and sketches that should be helpful in the construction of the diorama. While he has done some test excavations at the Elkhorn Ranch site, he has not had time to work on a report detailing his findings there.
1958-07-07
Regional Archeologist Beaubien writes to Russell Reid, Superintendent of the State Historical Society of North Dakota, to tell him of the discoveries that his archaeological dig made at the Elkhorn Ranch site, including evidence of several of the buildings. Beaubien is working on a preliminary report of his findings, and would like to include a picture of a painting of the Elkhorn Ranch. He wonders if Reid would be able to get him prints of this photograph, and if he knows the history of the painting.
1958-06-19
Regional Director Baker provides Director Wirth of the National Park Service with an update on several studies related to the Elkhorn Ranch site in Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park. Baker encloses a report by Historian Ray H. Mattison on the buildings located at the ranch, and reports that Professor Dee Calderwood Taylor, who carried out an archaeological dig on the site, is still working on his report.
1960-06-17
Regional Historian Mattes writes to Regional Archaeologist Beaubien regarding the status of the archaeological report on the Elkhorn Ranch Project. A completion report on the project ought not be submitted until the final archaeological report is received. About $2,900 in funding designated for the project remains, and Mattes suggests a process to move to completion.
1960-06-17
Theodore Elmer White, geologist for the Midwest region of the National Park Service, responds to a request made by James B. Thompson, superintendent of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, for archaeological services. White believes that he is not qualified as he is a paleontologist by training rather than an archaeologist, and the historical objects found at the Elkhorn Ranch site are outside of his field of study. In a handwritten addendum, White writes that if Thompson insists, he will do what he can, but he still has doubts.
1970-02-12