North Dakota--Medora

Guide to thirteen different sites associated with Theodore Roosevelt from historic homes to national parks and small towns. Many of the sites are administered by the National Park Service. The directory names each site, gives a brief description and history, and provides directions for visitors.  

Photographs of the front of the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site and of the equestrian statue of Theodore Roosevelt in front of the American Museum of Natural History, both in New York City, accompany the guide. The statue was removed in January 2022.

Finding aid for documents associated with an archeological reconnaissance of the Elkhorn Ranch site, and visits to the DeMores packing house site by Paul Beaubien in 1950.

Collection

Midwest Archeological Center

Creation Date

2009-08-24

Paul L. Beaubien reports on a trip he made to Theodore Roosevelt National Park to try to ascertain where the Elkhorn Ranch had been. He and Ray H. Mattison were able to approximate the location closely by comparing the terrain with photographs taken of the area by Theodore Roosevelt in 1886. While there is no evidence remaining on the surface, Beaubien believes that excavation in the area may reveal artifacts. Beaubien also describes a number of other visits he made to sites in the area, and includes photographs of the Elkhorn Ranch site.

Collection

Midwest Archeological Center

Creation Date

1950-08-25

George Alexander Grant, chief photographer for the National Park Service, encourages Theodore Roosevelt National Park Superintendent Allyn F. Hanks to send a copy of the photographs of Medora old-timers to Russell Reid at the State Historical Society of North Dakota.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1948-11-27

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.

Collection

Midwest Archeological Center

Creation Date

1960-03-30

Superintendent of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park Thompson acknowledges the return of Elkhorn Ranch artifacts which a curator has now cataloged. He asks Midwest Region Director Volz if there is anything in the collection that is not covered by the report previously prepared by Dee Calderwood Taylor.

Collection

Midwest Archeological Center

Creation Date

1971-11-15

A form nominating the Elkhorn Ranch Site and Maltese Cross Cabin in Theodore Roosevelt National Park for entry onto the National Register of Historic Places. The form includes basic information about these sites, including name, location, and managing agency, as well as descriptions of the physical appearance of the sites and statements describing their historical significance.

Collection

Midwest Archeological Center

Creation Date

1976-12-22

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.

Collection

Midwest Archeological Center

Creation Date

1956-11

The cultural resources survey, created sometime after 1977, includes information on site access, a description, environmental surroundings, archaeological excavations and types of artifacts found, and a list of published works on the Elkhorn Ranch site.

Collection

Midwest Archeological Center

Creation Date

Unknown

Robert M. White, acting administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, thanks National Park Service Midwest Region Acting Director Giles for his letter to Secretary of Commerce Maurice H. Stans about the upcoming hearings regarding a wilderness proposal for Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park. The Department of Commerce does not have comments at this time, but it does support the concept of wilderness areas.

Collection

Denver Public Library

Creation Date

1970-11-17

Assistant Director for State Grants and Resource Studies Underhill informs Acting Director of the Midwest Region Giles that they will not present a statement at the hearings regarding the wilderness proposal for the Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial park. Underhill mentions the existence of dish tanks in the proposed wilderness area and relays that they are man made and do not fit the definition of wilderness area as presently defined by Congress.

Collection

Denver Public Library

Creation Date

1970-12-03

Theodore Roosevelt writes of the American Western frontier and his experiences there, along with some of the stories he heard about the lawless days of the area. The article includes drawings by Frederic Remington.

Collection

Denver Public Library

Creation Date

1893-06

Senator Burdick from North Dakota prefaces and reprints an article by Steve Schmidt, originally published in the Bismarck Tribune, in the “Senate” section of the Congressional Record. The article argues for the change in designation of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and also a change from the park’s classification as “historical” to “natural.” Both Burdick’s preface and Schmidt’s article provide “background leading to the introduction of S. 1609,” Burdick’s congressional bill to make the site a full-fledged national park, which would ultimately occur in 1978.

Collection

Denver Public Library

Creation Date

1975-06-19

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.

Collection

Denver Public Library

Creation Date

Unknown

Fred C. Fagergren sends Clifton R. Merritt information about the planning process for Theodore Roosevelt National Park and informs him about the public meetings planned in Watford City and Medora, North Dakota. Fagergren invites Merritt to express his views at a public meeting or by written statement.

Collection

Denver Public Library

Creation Date

1970-10-16

The National Park Service announces public hearings in Medora and Watford City, North Dakota, about the wilderness proposal for Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Collection

Denver Public Library

Creation Date

1970-09-28

The National Park Service announces public hearings in Watford City and Medora, North Dakota, about the proposed wilderness plan for Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Collection

Denver Public Library

Creation Date

1970-10-28

A group of conservationist organizations announce the plans for wilderness areas within Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the public hearings in connection with those plans. Included in the announcement are maps and descriptions of specific areas within the park, as conservationists hope to pay special attention to issues of park boundaries at the hearings.

Collection

Denver Public Library

Creation Date

1970-11-18

This bill changes the previous legislation concerning the Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park to now refer to the park’s name as the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Collection

Denver Public Library

Creation Date

1972-10-09

Draft proposal for the Department of the Interior to designate 28,335 acres of land in Theodore Roosevelt National Park as wilderness. The proposal includes maps of the area, background information on the proposal, the land, and the ecological situation there.

Collection

Denver Public Library

Creation Date

1972-09-18