Roosevelt settled in the North Dakota Badlands in September of 1883, about 35 miles as the eagle flies up the Little Missouri River. On the Elkhorn Ranch site, Roosevelt lived, read and wrote about his adventures as a cattle rancher.

Roosevelt also operated the Maltese Cross Ranch, seven miles south of Medora on the same river, which flows northward from Wyoming eventually turning eastward toward Lake Sakakawea. This river is the lifeblood for many species of animals and plants.           

Roosevelt established relationships with local ranchers and philosophized with many, including a French nobleman and entrepreneur, Antoine de Vallambrosa Marquis de Mores, the man who founded the town in April of 1883, which he named after his wife, Medora (von Hoffman) de Mores.

Medora was to be the center of a cattle empire for de Mores who expected to process beef and ship it to urban areas via refrigerated railroad cars. He built a 26-room home for his wife on the bluff just across the Little Missouri River where he could view his enterprises and the new town.

While de Mores’ plans literally went up in smoke when his packing plant burned down and de Mores left for good in 1886, Medora continued into history, defacto claiming Roosevelt as its own. Medora was a central hub for livestock production and served as the county seat for Billings County, as early as 1886, three years prior to North Dakota being granted statehood.

Roosevelt’s conservation legacy is perpetuated in the North Dakota badlands and preserved in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Medora is the gateway community to the park’s South Unit. Theodore Roosevelt National Park offers visitors an up-close look at dozens of species of wildlife, over 150 species of birds any many native plant species.

Open year round, Theodore Roosevelt National Park was established in 1948. Three units comprise over 70,000 acres, running along the Little Missouri River from Medora to south of Watford City.

Located just 36 minutes from Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Airport in Dickinson (home to daily Great Lakes Airlines flights), Medora continues as a central community to the North Dakota Badlands, which beckon daily with a vacation menu of outdoor experiences and adventures. The menu includes river water, clay buttes, hiking, biking and riding trails, grass greens—and more. The various venues and action should give you memories of great experiences.

Head south of Medora to the Bully Pulpit Golf Course and the Maah Daah Hey Trail. These two options will present challenges amidst wide open spaces filled with clean, pristine air and stunning landscapes. All have national reputations.

Bully Pulpit Golf Course, surrounded by the dramatic North Dakota Badlands, conforms to the landscape of meadows and woodlands and meanders along the Little Missouri River. The 18-hole course features five different tees lengths.

The Maah Daah Hey Trail presents mountain bikers, hikers and horseback riders with a challenging 97-mile trail, which runs in and out of the Badlands. An adventure lover’s dream, the trail was characterized as one of the top 10 single-track mountain bike trails in the United States. It caps the clay buttes, provides breathtaking scenery of coniferous filled draws and offers close up views of wildlife. While biking is not allowed in the park, the trail does provide an alternate route the outside of the park’s North and South Units.

The most frequently visited North Dakota State Historical Society site is the 128-acre Chateau de Mores just west of Medora.  The site is home to the two-story frame building built in 1883, the summer residence of the de Mores family. It is one of eight National Register of Historic Sites in and around Medora and contains many of the original furnishings and personal effects of the de Mores family.

But, don’t step there. Medora has moved into the 21^st century with the ease and splendor, making it North Dakota’s number one summer visitor destination. Aside from the scenic viewsheds carved by Mother nature, Medora entertains visitors with a diversity of activities.

Strolling through Medora is a walk into western history. Seven museums tastefully preserve and display the heritage, history and culture of the town and area.

Summer evenings say outdoor cooking and the Pitchfork Steak fondue overlooking the town of Medora has all the fixings. Then proceed to the outdoor Burning Hills Ampitheatre for the internationally acclaimed Medora Musical, a professionally produced, high energy, western style musical dedicated to the legacy of Roosevelt. Each show pays tribute to American patriotism and the old-west way of life.

Patriotism is on display daily, reflecting the values of out 26^th President, Theodore Roosevelt. From the annual Flag Day Parade (June 14) to Cowboy Christmas (weekend nearest Pearl Harbor Day), Medora celebrates is roots and proudly waves its American flag.

Photographers will find lots of opportunities for pictures that will last a lifetime—and can be passed out to friends. Sunrises and sunsets are the bookends for a day of fun that stir memories of children romping in the badlands.

There are a variety of events and activities throughout the summer season. For more information, contact the Medora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, P.O. Box 364, 475 4^th Street, Medora, ND, 58645; phone: 701-623-4829; e-mail: bcm@midstate.net

One of the highlights of the parade was a group of American Red Cross volunteers who are assisting with flood fighting efforts in the Bismarck-Mandan area along the Missouri River. The group of eight participants rode in a wagon driven by Russell Gietzen of Glen Ullin, assisted by Francis Pulver of Beulah.

The American Red Cross volunteers are as follows: Gene Weyer, Sue Kohfeldt, Jack Vanderhulst, Paula Owen, Dick Miers, Dennis Jenks, Jerry Gorrell, and Lynn Wetz.

Additional featured guests included Miss High School Rodeo Codi Miller of Amidon and seven other rodeo queens from across North Dakota. All carried American flags in the parade.

Jessica Grove, coordinator for the event, which is sponsored by the Medora Chamber of Commerce and the Medora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, was pleased with the event. “We had entries from many localities in North Dakota, Montana and Minnesota,” she said. “We look forward to continuing to build on the entries for future parades.  The support from the rodeo queens was phenomenal”

She said the uniqueness of the event is that only horses or horse drawn carriages were able to be part of the parade. “Many outstanding horses from various breeds were part of the parade and thrilled the parade viewers,” she said.

For more information, contact the MACVB by phone at 701-623-4829 or email the office at bcm@midstate.net.

5K Walk

5K Run

10K Run

            Awards were presented to seven individuals and/or organizations for their contribution to the cowboy way of life. The awards were presented at the 2011 North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony held Saturday, June 25, at Tjaden Terrace in Medora.

            One Medora resident, Bruce Northrop, was the headliner for the locals. Northrop, regarded nationally as one of the top team ropers, and Maude (Kirk) Gullickson of Center, a great barrel racers, were recognized for their achievements in the modern-era rodeo division.

            Other winners are as follows:

            Guy Anthony Fox of Fort Berthold, who was a great bronc rider in the 1930s and 40’s, is the Pre-1940 Rodeo inductee.


            
In the Pre-1940 Ranching Division, the 2011 inductee was the late Archie Campbell of Wells and Eddy counties.

            In the Modern-era Ranching Division, the 2011 inductee was Roger Stuber of Bowman.

            In the Special Achievement Division, the 2011 inductee was the nationally acclaimed North Dakota (Valley City) Winter Show Rodeo. 



            In the Cowboy Long Rider Division, the 2011 inductee was the late Marie (Cordner) Tyler of Bismarck, a rancher who was the president of numerous national organizations that promoted the beef industry. 


            Trent Loos of Loos Tales was the guest speaker at the event.

On display was a vintage electric car from the early years of the automobile industry. Spectators enjoyed a presentation by the Pioneer Auto Club, putting together an early vehicle.

For more information, contact the Medora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau: email, bcm@midstate.net or phone, 701-623-4829.

Participants from the region enjoyed the new location, within the hub of the Medora community.  For more information, contact the Medora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau: email, bcm@midstate.net or phone, 701-623-4829.

The day started out with Murder and Mayhem held upstairs in the old courtroom at the Billings County Museum, followed by cake, coffee and lemonade at the new Billings County Courthouse. Spiritwood Creek, a bluegrass band from Jamestown North Dakota, provided the entertainment for the afternoon.

During the program, the past and present Billings County Commissioners were recognized along with many Billings County family names that have had such influence in making this county, the greatest county in North Dakota. Recognized from the crowd were Centennial Farm recipients Paul and Mildred Kessel and Florence Obrigewitsch.

Those who attended then played a game of “Stump the Experts.” Mayor Doug Ellison and Rev. Vince Heier were asked questions on two subjects they are “experts” on, Custer and Theodore Roosevelt. A panel of judges (Pat Weir, Jim Lowman, and Ed Sahlstrom) was selected to assure the answers being given were accurate. At the end of the game, Mayor Doug Ellison and Rev. Heier had a tie for the greatest expert. Door prizes were also given out to those who were lucky enough to get their names drawn.

After all the fun of the afternoon, Spitiwood Creek once again entertained with their awesome harmonies while a group photo was taken to document this historic event.

For more information, contact the Medora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau by phone at 701-623-4829 or email the office at bcm@midstate.net.

Many of the participants through out candy and the Medora Musical singers performed a few of their favorite numbers while riding on their float. Kinley Slauter announced the participants as they passed by the Rough Riders Hotel.

Additional parade participants were the Medora Riding Stables carrying the color guard, Ashley and Collin from the Western Edge Bookstore and Amble Inn canoeing atop a minivan, and Leona Odermann driving her Medora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau golf cart, along with many others.

Whether riding on Lil’ Smokey the Train, canoeing atop a minivan, or on a horse drawn wagon, the participants and audience enjoyed the beautiful summer days.

For more information, contact the MACVB by phone at 701-623-4829 or email the office at bcm@midstate.net.