Establishing Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Within a short time after the death of Theodore Roosevelt on January 6, 1919, there were proposals to establish a memorial in his honor. Various studies took place across the country that included ideas for national parks, monuments, wildlife refuges, and scenic roads as well as state parks. Sylvane Ferris, a friend and business associate of TR during his cattle ranching days in the Dakota Badlands, appointed a committee to pick a site and Medora was selected. The 1921 North Dakota legislature instructed their representatives in Congress to assist by setting land aside for a park.
The Little Missouri badlands were explored in 1924 by a party of 40 to outline an area for a Roosevelt National Park. This tour resulted in the formation of the Roosevelt Memorial National Park Association (later, the Great North Dakota Association). The following year, a tour of "cowboys and Congressmen," a larger group of federal, state, and regional officials plus interested parties and news media conducted an inspection camping trip through the "Grand Canyon of the Little Missouri," which cemented the park idea. One early plan called for a 2,030 square mile park. This proposal was not without its critics because the land was too valuable for local ranchers and their livestock.
Roger Toll, Superintendent of Rocky Mountain National Park, submitted a report on the proposed park to National Park Service Director Stephen T. Mather in 1928 in which he favored the establishment of a small national monument stating, "A national park does not seem to be justified."
Again, various studies, proposals and counter-proposals for a park took place. Some suggested a national forest be established. Then came the "dirty thirties." Drought, overgrazing, and crop failures forced many homesteaders to sell their land to the federal government for as little as $2.00 per acre. In western North Dakota land was acquired mainly for setting up leased grazing and rehabilitation. Today, most of what was purchased under the auspices of the Resettlement Act is now part of the Little Missouri National Grasslands. A portion of these new federal holdings was earmarked for a park. In 1934 a cooperative agreement to start a Roosevelt Regional Park Project was signed by the Resettlement Administration, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), National Park Service, and the State of North Dakota. The federal government wanted the project to become a state park.
The CCC operations began immediately and were administered by National Park Service employees. The North and South Roosevelt Regional Parks had their own camps. By 1935, these sites were designated the Roosevelt Recreation Demonstration Area (RDA). Development by workers from the CCC, as well as Works Projects Administration (WPA) and Emergency Relief Administration (ERA), included construction of roads, trails, picnic areas, campgrounds, and buildings.
All projects ended in 1941. Who would accept management responsibility for this land was still uncertain. When North Dakota’s state government announced that it did not want the land as a state park, approval was obtained in 1942 to retain the RDA for the purpose of study for possible inclusion into the National Park System. North Dakota Representative William Lemke championed the fight to establish a national park, an action which met resistance from NPS officials. The next few years saw further studies and political maneuvering.
In November 1946, the RDA was officially transferred to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge after legislation to establish a park was vetoed because some felt the area did not possess those qualities that merit national park ranking. Undaunted, Congressman Lemke pressed on. Finally, on April 25, 1947, after several compromises, President Truman signed the bill (PL-38) that created Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park. This included lands that roughly make up the South Unit and the Elkhorn Ranch site today. The North Unit was added to the memorial park on June 12, 1948. Additional boundary revisions were made in later years.
As a memorial park, it was the only one of its kind in the National Park System. Eventually, in addition to a connection with a president, the land was recognized for its diverse cultural and natural resources. On November 10, 1978, the area was given national park status when President Carter signed Public Law 95-625 that changed the memorial park to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This same law placed 29,920 acres of the park under the National Wilderness Preservation System.
Today, the 70,448-acre Theodore Roosevelt National Park is home to a variety of plants and animals, and continues to memorialize the 26th president for his enduring contributions to the safekeeping and protection of our nation’s resources.
Looking for more information?
Administrative History: "At the Open Margin: The NPS's Administration of Theodore Roosevelt National Park." (Online Book)
As an avid enthusiast and expert in the field of national parks and conservation, my depth of knowledge extends to the historical establishment of iconic parks like Theodore Roosevelt National Park. My expertise encompasses the intricate details of the park's inception, the political and environmental challenges it faced, and its eventual recognition for its cultural and natural significance.
The article you provided delves into the establishment of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, highlighting key events and individuals involved in its creation. Let's break down the concepts mentioned:
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Early Proposals and Selection of Medora:
- After Theodore Roosevelt's death in 1919, there were proposals for a memorial.
- Studies explored various ideas, including national parks, monuments, wildlife refuges, and scenic roads.
- Sylvane Ferris appointed a committee, and Medora was selected as the site.
- The North Dakota legislature instructed representatives to set aside land for a park in 1921.
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Exploration of Little Missouri Badlands and Formation of Associations:
- In 1924, a party explored the Little Missouri badlands to outline an area for the park.
- The Roosevelt Memorial National Park Association (later, the Great North Dakota Association) was formed.
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Challenges and Criticisms:
- Plans faced criticism due to the perceived value of the land for local ranchers.
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Role of Roger Toll:
- Roger Toll, Superintendent of Rocky Mountain National Park, submitted a report in 1928 favoring a small national monument over a national park.
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Impact of the "Dirty Thirties":
- The 1930s brought drought, overgrazing, and crop failures.
- Many homesteaders sold land to the federal government.
- Land acquired for the Resettlement Act became part of the Little Missouri National Grasslands.
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Cooperative Agreement and Development:
- In 1934, a cooperative agreement established the Roosevelt Regional Park Project.
- The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), Works Projects Administration (WPA), and Emergency Relief Administration (ERA) contributed to development.
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Management Uncertainty and Congressional Efforts:
- Management responsibility for the land was uncertain.
- Congressman William Lemke championed the fight for a national park.
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Creation of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park:
- In 1947, President Truman signed a bill (PL-38) creating Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park.
- The North Unit was added in 1948.
- Further boundary revisions occurred over the years.
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Transition to National Park Status:
- On November 10, 1978, President Carter signed Public Law 95-625, changing the memorial park to Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
- 29,920 acres were placed under the National Wilderness Preservation System.
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Current Status and Recognition:
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park, spanning 70,448 acres, is home to diverse plant and animal life.
- The park honors Theodore Roosevelt for his contributions to the nation's resource conservation.
For those seeking more information, the article references an online book titled "At the Open Margin: The NPS's Administration of Theodore Roosevelt National Park" for additional administrative history. This book likely provides a detailed account of the National Park Service's role in managing the park.
