On Track to Adventure

On Track to Adventure. Theodore Roosevelt National Park. One hunting trip in the badlands and Theodore Roosevelt was hooked-he invested in the flourishing cattle industry and returned to Dakota Territory often over the next few years.

Roosevelt thoroughly enjoyed "the glory of work and joy of living" on the ranch. He later claimed he would not have been president if not for his experiences in North Dakota.

Photo captions: , Background: , Roosevelt witnessed the demise of open-range grazing and took part in the over-hunting of wild game. Reflecting on these experiences awoke his passion for protecting natural resources and wild places.

Upper right: , A Dude from the East , In September of 1883, at just 23 years old, Roosevelt set off from his home in New York City searching for adventure in the West. His hunting trip spanned ten days of terrible weather and awful luck, but his spirits could not be dampened. Exuberant after bagging a trophy bison bull, he decided to buy a ranch.

Little Missouri , Roosevelt arrived at the train station (on the left) around 2:00 am and spent his first night in the badlands at the Pyramid Park Hotel (right).

Middle right: , Maltese Cross Cabin Roosevelt's original ranch cabin was located 7 miles south of Medora. It now sits behind the park's South Unit Visitor Center.

A New Adventure , Roosevelt purchased the Maltese Cross Ranch which included a few hundred cattle and a scattering of small sheds. before leaving for New York City, he instructed his hired ranch hands to build a cabin for his return the following summer. While home, his wife and mother both passed away on the same terrible day, February 14, 1884.<

Lower right: , A Ranching Retreat , Upon returning to Dakota Territory in June of 1884, Roosevelt found solace through adventure and the hearty life on the ranch. He expanded his ranching operation to a remote location along the Little Missouri River, about 30 miles north of Medora. he often referred to this second ranch, the Elkhorn, as his home ranch.

The Elkhorn Ranch , Though the cabin no longer stands, the Elkhorn Ranch is the most historically significant of the park's three units. . This historical marker was erected by National Park Service, Department of the Interior. It is Near Medora in Billings County North Dakota