Medora in Billings County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Medora Business District
Medora’s business district originated north of 3rd Avenue. After Medora’s founding in 1883, carpenters, masons and other laborers filled the community, benefiting from a construction boom. Medora also became a supply hub for area ranchers and farmers.
According to Medora’s first newspaper, The Bad Lands Cow Boy, the original tenant on the northwest corner of the 3rd Street intersection was a drug store. It then became a small dry goods store, and eventually the building became the LZ Club Room.
A log frame structure was built next to the LZ Club Room, housing a blacksmith shop. The two buildings were eventually connected.
Subsequent businesses operating out of the building included Mrs. Foley’s gift shop, which catered to the growing tourist industry, and the Rusth Store, which included a grocery and meat shop. In the 1940s the building was made over with a log façade. Jim and Hattie Barnhart opened the Log Cabin Bar and Store, and provided necessities to the growing number of tourists who visited Medora.
The building, purchased by the Gold Seal Company in the 1960s, was renamed the Badlands Saloon.
(Marker Number 15.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location. 46° 54.89′ N, 103° 31.504′ W. Marker is in Medora, North Dakota, in Billings County. Marker is on 3rd Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located on 3rd Avenue, between Main Street and 3rd Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Medora ND 58645, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Medora Livery Stable (here, next to this marker); De Mores (within shouting distance of this marker); Joe Ferris General Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Tribute to the Civilian Conservation Corps (within shouting distance of this marker); Rough Riders Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Ralph “Doc” Hubbard (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Bad Lands Cow Boy (about 300 feet away); Cowboys (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Medora.
More about this marker. An early plat of Medora appears on the left side of the marker. Elsewhere on the marker are photographs of the Medora business district circa-1920s; and men standing in front of the LZ Club Room.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 366 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 2, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.