Medora in Billings County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Beef Corral Bottom
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 20, 2015
1. Beef Corral Bottom Marker
In the era of the open range cattle industry of the late 1800s, ranchers would work together to round up their free-ranging cattle in the spring and fall. During roundups the cattle would be driven to a wide river bottom like this one, where they could be worked and sorted.
Locally called “Beef Corral Bottom,” this area was reportedly the site of a large corral constructed in 1880 for the operations of the Marquis de Mores. The corral may have been a holding place for cattle destined for the Marquiss slaughterhouse in Medora.
Disturbed land such as this provides an ideal location for the establishment of a prairie dog town. The low growing vegetation is preferred by prairie dogs, which depend on the “many eyes” and vocalizations of the colony to escape predators.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce.
Location. 46° 58.709′ N, 103° 29.514′ W. Marker is in Medora, North Dakota, in Billings County. It is on E River Road,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on North Dakota’s Missouri Plateau. It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Building From Hard Times (approx. 0.9 miles away); North Dakota Badlands (approx. 2.1 miles away); The Shooting of Riley Luffsey (approx. 4.3 miles away); Historic MedoraBoom and Bust (approx. 4.4 miles away); On Track to Adventure (approx. 4.4 miles away); In honor of a President . . . and His Conservation Legacy (approx. 4.6 miles away); Stephen Tyng Mather (approx. 4.6 miles away); Coal Mining (approx. 4.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 20, 2015
2. Beef Corral Bottom Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Wind Canyon Carved by Wind and Water Marred by Man (was approx. 0.7 miles away but has been confirmed missing); River Woodland (was approx. 3 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Historic Medora (was approx. 4.4 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 20, 2015
3. Marker in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 20, 2015
4. Prairie Dog at Beef Corral Bottom
The Beef Corral Bottom is now the site of an extensive prairie dog town.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 3, 2015
5. Bison at the Beef Corral Bottom Marker
In addition to prairie dogs, the site of the former Beef Corral Bottom is excellent habitat for bison.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 922 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 13, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5. submitted on September 15, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
