Medora in Billings County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Ralph “Doc” Hubbard
Ralph “Doc” Hubbard was one of the most accomplished people to call Medora home. He was born on June 22, 1885, in New York to Elbert Hubbard, a prominent author and publisher, and Bertha Crawford Hubbard.
Doc first visited Medora around 1905, and eventually settled in the community in 1964, managing the Fur Trade and Wildlife Museum (present site of the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame). Between 1905 and 1964, Hubbard wrote books, ranched, served in World War I, wrote a section of the Boy Scouts of America Handbook, mentored youth and taught in high schools and colleges.
Hubbard’s love of the American West and American Indian culture helped him become a nationally recognized authority in those fields. He also crafted Indian clothing and accouterments. He also accompanied Indian dancers and troupes of Boy Scouts across America and Europe.
Hubbard’s novel, Queer Person, appeared in 1930; it was followed by Wolf Song in 1978. Nellie Snyder Yost published Hubbard’s biography, A Man As Big As The West, in 1979.
Doc Hubbard died November 14, 1980, and is buried in the Medora Cemetery. A street in Medora and an asteroid is named in his honor, a testament to the lives touched through his writings and teachings.
(Marker Number 22.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is June 22, 1885.
Location. 46° 54.879′ N, 103° 31.567′ W. Marker is in Medora, North Dakota, in Billings County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and 3rd Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Main 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. The Bad Lands Cow Boy (here, next to this marker); Cowboys (here, next to this marker); Tribute to the Civilian Conservation Corps (within shouting distance of this marker); Joe Ferris General Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Great Western Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); De Mores (within shouting distance of this marker); Medora Livery Stable (within shouting distance of this marker); Medora Stage and Forwarding Company (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Medora.
More about this marker. A photograph of Hubbard appears at the top of the marker. It has a caption of “ ‘Doc’ Hubbard authored a section of the Boy Scouts of America handbook.” Another photo on the right side of the marker has a caption of “ ‘Doc’ Hubbard was an American Indian culture scholar.”
Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 559 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 2, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.