Rough Rider Hotel History

The Rough Riders Hotel was constructed in 1884 and 1885 by George Fitzgerald. The new hotel was first named the Metropolitan and built in anticipation of a boom in Medora as the Marquis de Mores built his meat packing plant, started a stagecoach line, and opened several other businesses. In 1903 the name was changed to the Rough Riders Hotel in honor of Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders and their service in the Spanish-American War. It was in this same year that Roosevelt returned to his beloved badlands as the first United States President to ever visit Medora.

Throughout the years the hotel has been operated by several families as a bar and restaurant, in addition to the sleeping rooms in the upper level. Reconstruction of the Rough Riders Hotel began in the early 1960s by Harold Schafer and his Gold Seal Company of Bismarck, ND. On July 13, 1965 the renovated hotel opened for business, again offering a restaurant on the main level and hotel rooms above.

Since 1986 the Rough Riders Hotel has been owned and operated by the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, the non-profit organization Harold Schafer founded when he sold the Gold Seal Company. Though well maintained since the 1960s reconstruction, the hotel was once again in need of significant repairs. Following the 2008 tourist season, major renovation began. In the first phase the original structure will be completely renovated prior to the 2009 tourist season. The main level will feature an enlarged dining room and added bar. Phase two will be completed in June 2010 and will offer 68 guest rooms joined to the original structure by complete conference facilities and a spacious lobby.