Community Information

Click here for a Map of the area (PDF)

HISTORY

Chateau de Mores

A 24-year old French nobleman, the Marquis De Mores, founded the town of Medora in April 1883. He named the town for his bride, the former, Medora Von Hoffman, daughter of a wealthy New York City banker.

The Marquis de Mores arrived in the valley a few weeks after the abandonment of Badlands Cantonment in early 1883. With financial backing from his father-in-law, he founded the town of Medora east of the river, building a meat packing plant, a brick plant, a hotel, stores, and a large home (Chateau de Mores) overlooking his new town. The heavy influx of capital into Medora signaled the end of Little Missouri, with many Little Missouri businessmen moving east across the river to the new boomtown.

Despite the vision and energy of the Marquis, all of his various enterprises ended in financial failure by the fall of 1886. With their son and daughter, the Marquis and Marquise returned to France, where another son was to be born.

"The worst fear is the fear of living."
Theodore Roosevelt

Another colorful individual drawn to this area was a young New York politician named Theodore Roosevelt. He first arrived to hunt buffalo in September 1883, immediately fell in love with the land, and invested in cattle raising. He would eventually own two large ranches - the Maltese Cross, about seven miles south of Medora, and the Elkhorn, about 35 miles north of town. In 1901 Roosevelt, at age 42, became the youngest president in United States history, serving until 1909. He called his years in the Badlands "the romance of my life," and often credited his Dakota experiences with enabling him to become president.

As the seat of Billings County, Medora continued to be an active community center following its flamboyant years. It has always been a cattle town, with countless thousands of cattle being shipped out over the years. From the 1920's to the 1940's, three large coalmines operated in the vicinity and from 1934 to 1941 the Civilian Conservation Corps maintained a base camp near Medora. After much landscape and restoration work by the CCC, the 128 acre Chateau de Mores State Historic Site, including de Mores City Park, was opened to the public on August 7, 1941.

The CCC also built many roads, signs, and structures within what is now Theodore Roosevelt National Park, which was established on April 25, 1947 and encompass some 110 square miles in it's North and South Units.

2002 Medora Musical

In 1958, the theatrical production "Old Four Eyes," a dramatic retelling of Roosevelt's life in the North Dakota Badlands, was initiated in the specially constructed Burning Hills Amphitheater a mile west of Medora. The drama ran every summer until 1965, when the nationally renowned Medora Musical began production.

In 1962, entrepreneur Harold Schafer and his Gold Seal Company began a restoration and modernization of the old western town, developing many additional attractions.top

Billings County Resource Center

INFRASTRUCTURE

In 1998, the city contributed $90,000 to a new Resource Center located in Medora adjacent to the deMores School. The deMores School and Billings County also contributed to this project.
In 1999, the city completed the riverbank stabilization project along the Little Missouri River. The Corp of Engineers and Billings County provided financial assistance.
In 2000, the city had the streets on the north side seal-coated.
In 2000, the city made ADA improvements to the community center including automatic door openers, fire alarm system strobe lights and Braille signage.
In 2000, the land annexed into Medora in 1980 has been officially platted.
deMores School

In 2001, the city shall commit $100,000 to the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame facility.
In 2002, the City of Medora pledged $500,000 from Sales Tax revenue for the Bully Pulpit Golf Course.
In 2002, the City of Medora and Billings County purchased a new ambulance with the help of many other supporters.
In 2003, the Medora Fire Department purchased a new Pumper Fire Truck with the support of many local entities.
In 2003, East River Road project will be completed. This project was a cooperative effort of Billings County and the City of Medora.
In 2005 the City paved three of the south side streets.
In conjunction with Billings County the area around the County Fire Hall, County Shop, and City Shop was paved.
The portion of East River Road to the Bully Pulpit Golf Course was also paved.
Medora completed the Strategic Plan along with members of the community and the surrounding area. Many new projects were envisioned in the Plan and work will commence on some of them as funds become available.
Medora started receiving water from the Southwest Water Pipeline in March of 2005. All businesses and residences had water meters installed.
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HEALTH AND SAFETY

Volunteer fire department with 17 volunteers and three units.
Volunteer ambulance in conjunction with Billings County.
Nearest Hospital is 35 miles east in Dickinson (St. Joseph’s Hospital & Emergency Room 701/456-4000)
Nearest Clinic is 35 miles east in Dickinson (Great Plains Clinic 701/483-6017and Dickinson Clinic 701/456-6000)
Nearest Pharmacy is 35 miles east in Dickinson
Annual Drinking Water Quality Report (PDF)
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PROMOTION

In 1999, the city of Medora approved the use of 2% hospitality tax funds for a community sign to be placed at Painted Canyon Rest Area.
Since 1998, the City of Medora has funded a seasonal Information Specialist position at the Painted Canyon Rest Area.
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COMMUNITY SERVICES

Schools - 1 elementary, grades K-8
Library - 1
Churches - 1 Lutheran, 1 Catholic, 1 First Congregational
Chamber of Commerce - 701/623-4910, medorachamber@midstate.net

CITY DIRECTORY

Mayor and Council

Mayor Doug Ellison
P.O. Box 466
Medora, ND 58645
701-623-4345

Community Center

John Tczap
P.O. Box102
Medora, ND 58645
(701) 623-4836

Mike Oehler
P.O. Box 14
Medora, ND 58645
(701) 623-2240

Kevin Clyde
P.O. Box 487
Medora, ND 58645
(701) 623-4405

Todd Corneil
Po Box 225
Medora, ND 58645
(701) 623-4339

Medora City Auditor - Jennifer Ondracek,
P.O. Box 418-A, Medora, ND 58645
Phone 701/623-4828 Fax 701/623-4931
Email: mauditor@midstate.net

Medora Chief of Police - John Bey,
P.O. Box 152, Medora, ND 58645
Phone 701/623-4333 Fax 701/623-4931
Email: medorapd@midstate.net

Medora Public Works - Michael Tank,
P.O. Box 418-A, Medora, ND 58645
Phone: 701/623-4936 Fax: 701-623-4924

Medora Community Center Supervisor - Michael Tank
P.O. Box 418-A, Medora, ND 58645
Phone: 701/623-4936 Fax: 701-623-4924

Medora Community Center Information - Jennifer Ondracek
P O Box 418A, Medora, ND 58645
Phone: (701) 263-4834

City Attorney - Ebeltoft.Sickler.Lawyers
Phone – 701-225-5297

City Engineer - Ronald Manchester,
501 1st St NW, Mandan, ND 58554
Phone 701/663-6483 Fax 701/663-0923
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ORDINANCES

The following chapters are available for you to download in pdf format. Please click the icon to Get Acrobat Reader if you do not have a pdf viewer.

CHAPTER 1   - GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 2   - ORDINANCES
CHAPTER 3   - PUBLIC PLACES AND PROPERTY
CHAPTER 4   - FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION
CHAPTER 5   - POLICE DEPARTMENT
CHAPTER 6   - ZONING
CHAPTER 7   - WATER AND SEWER
CHAPTER 8   - BUSINESS REGULATIONS AND LICENSES
CHAPTER 9 - TRAFFIC
CHAPTER 10 - ANIMALS AND FOWL
CHAPTER 11 - PUBLIC NUISANCES
CHAPTER 12 - OFFENSES
CHAPTER 13 - FRANCHISE
CHAPTER 14 - BUILDING CODE
CHAPTER 15 - ELECTRICAL CODE
CHAPTER 16 - DISASTER EMERGENCY SERVICES
CHAPTER 17 - FLOOD PLAIN
CHAPTER 18 - HOME RULE CHARTER
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PRINTABLE PERMIT FORMS

The following forms are available for you to download in pdf format. Please click the icon to Get Acrobat Reader if you do not have a pdf viewer.

Application for Special Event Alcoholic Beverage Permit
Outdoor Dance Music Permit

updated, October 15, 2009 , CDI