Theodore's Dining Room

The New Taste of the Old West

The Rough Riders Hotel was originally constructed in 1884 in anticipation of an economic boom when French nobleman the Marquis de Mores built his meat packing plant, a stagecoach line, and several other businesses in the area. Originally called the Metropolitan, the name was changed in 1903 to honor Roosevelt's Rough Riders and their service in the Spanish-American War. That same year, 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. 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.

In the fall of 2008 a major renovation began at the Rough Riders Hotel which included an expansion project and complete updates to the original eight hotel rooms. The historic inn now offers Medora visitors an additional 68 new guest rooms with elevator service, conference center and outdoor courtyard for meetings and events. The west side of the Rough Riders Hotel now features "Theodore's Dining Room and TR's Tavern" on the main level.

Reservations are now being taken for groups wishing to book their 2010 group outing at the Rough Riders Hotel (see page 15). The hotel, dining room and conference facility is available year-round for business meetings, social functions and for guests. For more information call 1-800-MEDORA-1 (1-800-633-6721).