De Mores Packing Plant Ruins
NW of Medora boundary, Medora, NDThe de Mores meat packing plant was built by Antone Amedee Marie Vincent de Vallombrosa, the Marquis de Mores, a pretender to the French throne, determined and resourceful, who arrived at the tiny settlement of Little Missouri, Dakota Territory, in April of 1883 for the purpose of establishing a meat packing enterprise utilizing some innovative ideas that he was convinced could revolutionize the meat producing industry. De Mores believed that by slaughtering and processing meat animals close to the producing range and shipping the carcasses by refrigerated railroad car (thereby eliminating the costs of feeding and caring for live animals and reducing weight loss or volume shrinkage) economies could be obtained that would permit successful competition both economically and qualitatively with the operations of the Eastern packers.
The Badlands of the Little Missouri provided everything de Mores needed for his undertaking; a railroad, a producing range, a cattle raising industry, and lots of open space in which to operate. He selected the vicinity of the Northern Pacific Railway's crossing of the Little Missouri River, just east of the town of Little Missouri, to be the seat of his operations. East of the river, he built the huge abattoir that would, he hoped, turn 150 beeves a day into food for the nation's consumers. He built cold storage facilities at Helena, Billings, Miles City, Medora, Bismarck, Fargo, Brainard, Duluth, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Chicago to facilitate the shipment of his products; and he purchased 15,000 acres of land another innovation for the previously "free" range area) to use as grazing and pasture land.
Also east of the Little Missouri and next to his packing plant, the ever optimistic Mores platted a new town which, in his gallant manner, he named Medora after his recent bride. Intended and designed to better serve his needs than could its rough ,west river neighbor, Little Missouri, Medora prospered and grew as rapidly as the ambitions of its founder. It soon boasted a brick yard, church, newspaper, three hotels, several stores and saloons, and by the end of 1884, boasted of a permanent population of 251.
Local significance of the site:
The Badlands of the Little Missouri provided everything de Mores needed for his undertaking; a railroad, a producing range, a cattle raising industry, and lots of open space in which to operate. He selected the vicinity of the Northern Pacific Railway's crossing of the Little Missouri River, just east of the town of Little Missouri, to be the seat of his operations. East of the river, he built the huge abattoir that would, he hoped, turn 150 beeves a day into food for the nation's consumers. He built cold storage facilities at Helena, Billings, Miles City, Medora, Bismarck, Fargo, Brainard, Duluth, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Chicago to facilitate the shipment of his products; and he purchased 15,000 acres of land another innovation for the previously "free" range area) to use as grazing and pasture land.
Also east of the Little Missouri and next to his packing plant, the ever optimistic Mores platted a new town which, in his gallant manner, he named Medora after his recent bride. Intended and designed to better serve his needs than could its rough ,west river neighbor, Little Missouri, Medora prospered and grew as rapidly as the ambitions of its founder. It soon boasted a brick yard, church, newspaper, three hotels, several stores and saloons, and by the end of 1884, boasted of a permanent population of 251.
Commerce; Agriculture; Transportation
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
North Dakota was the site of one of the deadliest storms in U.S. history, the Schoolhouse Blizzard of 1888. The storm struck without warning and claimed the lives of more than 200 people, many of whom were schoolchildren caught in the blizzard on their way home from school.
About Billings County
Billings County Timeline
Billings County, North Dakota, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. The area was initially inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara peoples, who lived along the Missouri River. European settlement in the region began in the mid-19th century, with fur traders and explorers venturing into the area.
In the 1870s, the Northern Pacific Railroad arrived, bringing significant changes to the region. The town of Medora was established in 1883 and quickly grew, becoming the county seat of Billings County. Named after the wife of a prominent railroad executive, Medora became a booming cattle town and served as a gateway to the Badlands.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the agriculture industry flourished in Billings County. Farmers settled in the area, cultivating wheat, oats, and barley. Towns, schools, and churches were established to support the growing population.
In the early 20th century, the construction of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park significantly impacted Billings County. This national park was created to preserve the rugged beauty of the Badlands and honor President Theodore Roosevelt, who had cherished his time in the region as a cattle rancher. Today, the park is a major tourist attraction, drawing visitors to experience the unique landscapes and wildlife of the area.
While the county's population has remained small over the years, Billings County continues to thrive as a scenic and historically significant area. The influence of Native American cultures, the arrival of the railroad, the growth of agriculture, and the establishment of Theodore Roosevelt National Park have all played major roles in shaping the county's fascinating history.
In the 1870s, the Northern Pacific Railroad arrived, bringing significant changes to the region. The town of Medora was established in 1883 and quickly grew, becoming the county seat of Billings County. Named after the wife of a prominent railroad executive, Medora became a booming cattle town and served as a gateway to the Badlands.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the agriculture industry flourished in Billings County. Farmers settled in the area, cultivating wheat, oats, and barley. Towns, schools, and churches were established to support the growing population.
In the early 20th century, the construction of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park significantly impacted Billings County. This national park was created to preserve the rugged beauty of the Badlands and honor President Theodore Roosevelt, who had cherished his time in the region as a cattle rancher. Today, the park is a major tourist attraction, drawing visitors to experience the unique landscapes and wildlife of the area.
While the county's population has remained small over the years, Billings County continues to thrive as a scenic and historically significant area. The influence of Native American cultures, the arrival of the railroad, the growth of agriculture, and the establishment of Theodore Roosevelt National Park have all played major roles in shaping the county's fascinating history.
Billings County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Billings County, North Dakota.
- The area now known as Billings County was originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara.
- In 1803, the land became part of the United States through the Louisiana Purchase.
- Exploration of the region began in the early 19th century by fur trappers and traders.
- In 1877, Billings County was officially established by the Dakota Territory legislature and named after former North Carolina governor Frederick H. Billings.
- In the late 19th century, ranching became the dominant industry in the area, with large cattle herds and open range grazing.
- The construction of the Northern Pacific Railway through Billings County in the 1880s brought increased settlement and economic growth.
- The town of Medora was founded in 1883 as a railroad town and became the county seat of Billings County.
- The region experienced a boom in coal mining during the early 20th century, with several mines opening and providing employment opportunities.
- In 1936, the Theodore Roosevelt National Park was established in Billings County, preserving the natural beauty of the Badlands and honoring the former president's conservation legacy.
- During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) undertook numerous projects in Billings County to combat unemployment and improve infrastructure.
- Billings County remains a sparsely populated area with a strong connection to its pioneer heritage and beautiful natural landscapes.