The Maltese Cross Cabin Trail

At roosevelt s request ranch managers sylvane ferris and bill merrifield built a 1 1 2 story cabin complete with a shingled roof and root cellar.

The maltese cross cabin trail. The cabin was larger than most frontier homes of the time with a living room kitchen bedroom and sleeping loft for the ranch hands. The trunk was used as a lightweight traveling trunk and three of roosevelt s books were written at his desk. The maltese cross ranch cabin was originally located about seven miles south of medora in the wooded bottom lands of the little missouri river. It then stood on the grounds of the state capital at bismarck until it was acquired by the park service and moved to the visitor center in medora.

Roosevelt s elkhorn ranch is a separate remote area of the park 35 miles north of medora accessible by gravel roads. It was moved in 1939 when it was the centerpiece of the north dakota pavilion at the new york worlds fair. Both a trunk belonging to roosevelt and his writing desk adorn the cabin. Many other furnishings from roosevelt s day can be observed though they were not owned by the former president.

Roosevelt s maltese cross cabin can be found just behind the visitor center. Built in 1883 the cabin was roosevelt s first home in north dakota though it was located seven miles south of where it now sits. The maltese cross cabin originally located about seven miles south of medora in the wooded bottom lands of the little missouri the maltese cross ranch was one of the places theodore roosevelt stayed during his time in north dakota. The logs of the maltese cross cabin are the original ponderosa pine used in 1883.

The original roof had been removed by 1900 and the ceiling and pitched style roof were restored when the cabin was transferred to the park. At theodore roosevelt s request ranch managers sylvane ferris and bill merrifield built a one and a half story cabin complete with a shingled roof and root cellar. It is thought the window frames and front door are original although the latter shows evidence of damage and repair. It is thought the window frames and front door are original although the latter shows evidence of.

Check with park rangers for road conditions and routes to travel to the site. Roosevelt s maltese cross cabin is open for public viewing year round at the south unit visitor center. The maltese cross ranch cabin was originally located about seven miles south of medora in the wooded bottom lands of the little missouri river. The maltese ranch cabin which sits mere minutes from theodore roosevelt national park and maah daah hey trail is a replica of the home that the 26th president once called home.

This home for 8 features a furnished loft and covered porch within minutes of the area s acclaimed attractions including the bully pulpit golf course.