Watford City in McKenzie County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Roosevelt and the Boat Thieves
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 21, 2015
1. Roosevelt and the Boat Thieves Marker
In the spring of 1886 thieves stole Theodore Roosevelts boat from his Elkhorn Ranch, 25 miles south of here. Roosevelt pursued the thieves past this point and captured them at the mouth of Cherry Creek about 24 miles downstream. He then marched the thieves overland to Dickinson where they were tried and convicted.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #26 Theodore Roosevelt series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 47° 36.174′ N, 103° 26.504′ W. Marker was in Watford City, North Dakota, in McKenzie County. It was on Scenic Drive. Marker is located in the north unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, at the Oxbow Overlook at the end of the tour road. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Watford City ND 58854, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in North Dakota’s Bakken Oil Patch. It was also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: A Wild River / Growing Old / Cotton (about 500 feet away,
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. Edge of a Glacier (was approx. 0.7 miles away but has been permanently removed); Man and Grass (was approx. 2.9 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Building From Hard Times (was approx. 3 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Long X Cattle Trail (was approx. 4½ miles away but has been permanently removed); Cannon Ball Concretions (was approx. 5.1 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . . Tracking Roosevelt's River Pirates. True West website entry (Submitted on August 15, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 21, 2015
2. Roosevelt and the Boat Thieves Marker
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 21, 2015
3. Marker in Theodore Roosevelt Nat'l Park
TR Center Digital Library
4. Theodore Roosevelt and the boat thieves
When Roosevelt reached Dickinson and turned over his prisoners, the authorities asked why he didn't just shoot them rather than undertaking the long march.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,144 times since then and 65 times this year. Last updated on August 20, 2025, by Susan Van Den Bosch of Almond, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 15, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
