Theodore Roosevelt Maltese Cross Cabin
It served as a base of operations for roosevelt s ranching business for several years and today sits behind the south unit visitor center at theodore roosevelt national park.
Theodore roosevelt maltese cross cabin. It s the cabin that roosevelt stayed in during his first visit to his ranch. The maltese cross cabin located directly behind the theodore roosevelt national park interpretive center offers an authentic glimpse into theodore roosevelt s life in the badlands. What became known as the maltese cross cabin was only a temporary home for roosevelt. He would split his time between dakota and new york for the next several years.
Today the maltese cross cabin stands behind the visitor center at the entrance to theodore roosevelt national park in medora and the original pitched roof has been recreated. By 1887 roosevelt began to sell his interests in the cattle industry. The cabin is currently located at the visitor center at theodore roosevelt national park just outside the town of medora north dakota. The maltese cross cabin was built between september 1883 and april 1884 by the ranch partners of theodore roosevelt.
At roosevelt s request ranch managers sylvane ferris and bill merrifield built a one and one half story cabin complete with a shingled roof and root cellar. The cabin which was once located about seven miles south of medora is very symbolic. After returning to dakota in 1884 he established a second ranch he named the elkhorn. The maltese cross cabin was a place he came to.
The maltese cross cabin is a cabin used by theodore roosevelt before he was president. Before becoming president and moving to the white house theodore roosevelt made a ponderosa pine log cabin in the dakota badlands his temporary home. In 1959 the cabin was relocated to its present site and renovated. History of the cabin.
Above the maltese cross cabin when it was at the state capitol in bismarck approximately 1909 to 1959.