40 Years of Developing and Preserving Medora: National Spotlight As a Top Tourist Destination
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40 YEARS OF DEVELOPING AND PRESERVING MEDORA: national spotlight as a top tourist destination. Daah Hey Trail, it has a huge impact on the community.” “Harold was amazed that the Foundation gave Medora a Hatzenbuhler says the Medora Musical draws 95,000 to Many work to continue the vision of Harold Schafer chance to be something big- 110,000 people each year, com- ger than even he could see,” Medora in North Dakota horizons pared to approximately 60,000 say Hatzenbuhler. “It brought Since 1970, the development of Medora has been in 1970. In addition, the Bully a bigger circle of people who featured in North Dakota horizons magazine more than Pulpit draws 16,000 people each 40 times. From event highlights, major milestones, and cared about balancing the de- changing people and places, to season, and the Maah Daah Hey velopment and preservation of full-feature spreads and memorials Trail has approximately 4,000 Medora.” of major community contributors, to 7,000 users annually. The In 1990 and 1991 a major Medora has been a key subject in Cowboy Hall of Fame attracts the story of North Dakota over the upgrade of the Burning Hills past 40 years. Shown at right is the an additional 20,000 to 30,000 Amphitheater took place. Spring 1987 Issue feature. visitors. “This gave Medora a national In 2002, the North Dakota hori- Highlighting a significant awareness,” says Hatzenbuhler. zons Winter Issue published the re- change in the number of employ- sults of a survey of North Dakotans The mid-1990s brought many who made the biggest impact on ees in Medora over that past 40 private investments to the com- the state over the past 100 years. years, Hatzenbuhler notes in the munity with the addition of The four individuals chosen by the 1970s seasonal numbers were strip malls and hotels. “These magazine readers were Senator Wil- between 150 and 180 employees. liam “Wild Bill” Langer, Lawrence were needed and a direct result Welk, Theodore Roosevelt, and Har- In 2010, the Foundation alone of the Amphitheater project,” he old Schafer. “It is remarkable two of employed 325 individuals and notes. the four called Medora home during the summer employee numbers By Kylie Blanchard, Clearwater Communications The Harold Schafer Heri- important parts of their lives,” notes in Medora were between 750 and Hatzenbuhler. ver the last four decades, many changes have taken tage Center was built in 1995, 900. In addition, 500 volunteers Oplace in Medora, but there always remained a focus on honoring the life and legacy of also played an important role in preserving the history of the community and telling the story Schafer, his family and the Gold Seal Company; and in 1997- Medora during the 2010 season. of its notable inhabitants, including the Marquis de Mores 1998 the Tjaden Terrace was constructed near the Burning Hatzenbuhler says Medora will remain strong for the next and President Theodore Roosevelt. Hills Amphitheater. “This took care of serving 45,000 people 40 years. “Medora would still be a terrific place because of “Medora, in many ways, has been adopted by the state as annually for an outdoor dining experience at the Pitchfork the natural beauty that surrounds it, but it is fair to say if Har- its focal point,” says Randy Hatzenbuhler, president of the The Medora Musical has been a North Dakota tourist destination Fondue.” old Schafer hadn’t found it significant in the 1960s, it’s hard Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation. “North Dakotans for more than 50 years. Shown above is this summer’s produc- In 2002, the Bully Pulpit golf course was completed and to imagine it would have developed into what it is today.” took to it with pride as a place to bring their family and tion, and below the amphitheater in the 1950s. voted the best new course in the nation, and, in 2005, the April 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the Theodore friends.” North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame completed its $3 million Roosevelt Medora Foundation and 2012 will mark the cel- The late Harold Schafer, founder of the Gold Seal Com- visitors from across the state with parades, trail rides, ranch- facility in the heart of Medora. ebration of Schafer’s 100th birthday. “We all have a respon- pany and tireless Medora supporter, put the mechanisms in ing skills exhibitions and the outdoor theater at the Burning The Welcome Center at the Burning Hills Amphitheater was sibility to make sure Medora stays healthy forever,” says place for the community’s development and preservation with Hills Amphitheater. opened in 2008, displaying the story of the Medora Musical Hatzenbuhler. “The key will be to continue to look at projects his 1963 purchase of the dilapidated Rough Riders Hotel. Beginning in 1958, theatrical productions of Old Four Eyes and the Amphitheater; and the Spirit of Work Lodge was com- that will make this experience even better but not take away “There is too much here to be lost, too many important ele- told of Roosevelt’s life in the Badlands at the specially built pleted to house the many individuals volunteering each season. from what has made Medora special.” ments of America’s early frontier history to be allowed to amphitheater. The drama ran every summer until 1965 when Major renovations of the Rough Riders Hotel also decay,” Schafer said as he initiated the building’s restoration. the Medora Musical began production, which has since run began in 2008, with the revamped original structure For additional information, The renovated hotel reopened in 1965 and helped spur every evening from early June through Labor Day weekend. completed in 2009. In 2010, the addition with visit www.medora.com additional investments in the community. “The resurrection In 1986, the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation 68 guest rooms, a spacious lobby and com- or call 1-800-MEDORA1. of Medora, its redevelopment, started with the Rough Riders formed when the Gold Seal Company was sold and the Scha- plete conference facilities was also opened. Hotel,” says Hatzenbuhler. fer family donated the assets from the company’s Medora di- “The Rough Riders Hotel has provided an By the 1970s Schafer and the vision to the newly created foundation. “Harold had so much anchor facility for the community and is now Gold Seal Company had also pride in North Dakota and he thought Medora was one of the being used year-round,” says Hatzenbuhler. opened the Joe Ferris Store, Bad- most important assets the state had,” says Hatzenbuhler. The Theodore Roosevelt National Park has also lands Saloon, Old Fashioned Ice The Foundation was charged with conserving, restoring and been a significant focal point for Medora. “The com- Cream Parlor, a museum, candle displaying structures and artifacts relating to the history of munity is the front door to this beautiful place,” says Hatzen- shop and luxury motel with swim- Medora and the life of Theodore Roosevelt in the Badlands, buhler. “When you have attractions that are recognized nation- ming pool. A dinner club, drive-in and operating these facilities for those visiting Theodore ally, like the Park, the Musical, the Bully Pulpit and the Maah restaurant, souvenir shops and ad- Roosevelt National Park and the surrounding area. Over the ditional facilities were also being past 25 years, the Foundation has moved Medora’s expansion The newly renovated and enlarged Rough Riders Hotel is now developed. Medora was drawing and preservation forward and brought the community into the open throughout the year. Randy Hatzenbuhler 26 North Dakota horizoNs • wiNter 2010 North Dakota horizoNs • wiNter 2010 27.