Roosevelt lived in North Dakota from 1883-85

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

One year from this coming July 4 will mark the grand opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum near Medora in western North Dakota. Medora has, for many years, been a popular tourist destination for many residents of Otter Tail County.

It was there, from 1883 to 1885, when the future president of the United States was a cattle rancher. Today Medora is the gateway to the beautiful Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Once the new library and museum is open for visitors, in 2026, people from near and far will learn about the life and legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States. Roosevelt said his experiences in North Dakota helped shape his leadership style and his appreciation for, in his words, “the natural world.”

Roosevelt, while serving as president from 1901 to 1909, established five new national parks. He used his executive authority to protect a large portion of the Grand Canyon.

“The progress we have made on the library thus far, near Medora, reflects the dedication and skill of all those involved in this project,” says Will Hollingsworth who oversees fundraising for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

The library construction site is west of Medora on a butte in the Badlands near Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Narrative galleries will tell the story of Roosevelt’s life and exhibits that use technology will engage visitors. Paths will connect visitors from the library to the Maah Daah Hey Trail which showcases majestic plateaus, jagged peaks and valleys.

“Each beam, wall and pathway we build is a tribute to Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy and a foundation for future generations,” added Hollingsworth.

Roosevelt arrived in Medora at the age of 24 in 1883. Twenty years later, at the age of 44, he was back in Medora, this time as president of the United States.

What most people don’t know is that restoration of Medora is the result of North Dakota native Harold Schafer donating vast sums of money. That money came from sales of Glass Wax marketed by Schafer’s Gold Seal Company based in Bismarck.

Schafer, in 1958, was elected president of the Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park and Badlands Association. He made substantial investments in Medora, preserving the historical significance of the old cattle town. His son, Ed, later became governor of North Dakota.

If you want to donate to the library project to honor Teddy Roosevelt, make your check out to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation. The address is 401 East Main Avenue, Suite 201 Bismarck, ND 58501.