Misplaced Pages

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40-752: While most of the district was in Williams County, where it served almost all of Williston, a section was in McKenzie County . In 2020 a vote was held on whether it was to merge with the Williams County Public School District 8 (formerly New Public School District 8) to form a new district. 86.6% of the District 1 voters approved, as did 59.6% of the District 8 voters. The no percentages were 13.4% for District 1 and 40.4% for District 8. In 2021 it merged with

80-617: A Wheatgrass / Needlegrass ( 66 ) vegetation type with a North Mixed grass prairie ( 18 ) vegetation form, and a Northern Floodplain ( 98 ) vegetation type with a Floodplain Forests ( 24 ) vegetation form. The park is home to a wide variety of Great Plains wildlife, including bison , coyotes , cougars , mustang horses , badgers , elk , bighorn sheep , white-tailed deer , mule deer , pronghorn , prairie dogs , and at least 186 species of birds including golden eagles , sharp-tailed grouse , and wild turkeys . Nine longhorn cattle roam

120-433: A female householder with no husband present, 30.2% were non-families, and 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.06. The median age was 38.0 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 48,480 and the median income for a family was $ 58,906. Males had a median income of $ 42,803 versus $ 33,056 for females. The per capita income for

160-420: A handling facility and then sold them at public auction. New methods for herd management were tried including contraceptives, low-stress capture techniques, genetics research, and partnerships with nonprofit horse advocacy groups. The 1978 Environmental Assessment document set a population goal for the demonstration herd to 35-60 head. The goal for number of horses and herd demographics is being reevaluated during

200-571: A proper permit, no roads or buildings are constructed and there is also no logging or mining , in compliance with the 1964 Wilderness Act . Wilderness areas within National Forests and Bureau of Land Management areas also allow hunting in season. Both main units of the park have scenic drives, approximately 100 miles (160 km) of foot and horse trails, wildlife viewing, and opportunities for back country hiking and camping. There are three developed campgrounds: Juniper Campground in

240-537: Is a national park of the United States in the badlands of western North Dakota comprising three geographically separated areas. This park pays homage to the time that Theodore Roosevelt spent in the surrounding area and in the Dakota Territories before they were states. Roosevelt lived in the area after his mother and wife died hours apart on February 14, 1884. Theodore Roosevelt National Park

280-459: Is abundant in wildlife, quaking aspen groves, and bur oak groves, interspersed in places with western red cedar on the north-facing slopes of the badlands. The southwestern corner counties of North Dakota (Adams, Billings, Bowman, Golden Valley, Grant, Hettinger, Slope, Stark) observe Mountain Time . The counties of McKenzie, Dunn, and Sioux are split between Mountain and Central Time . As of

320-755: Is situated about 80 mi (130 km) north of the South Unit, and Roosevelt's Elkhorn Ranch is located between the North and South units. Both main units of the park have scenic drives, approximately 100 miles (160 km) of foot and horse trails, wildlife viewing, and back country hiking and camping. The park received 850,000 recreational visitors in 2021. Roosevelt first came to the North Dakota badlands to hunt bison in September 1883. During that first short trip, he got his bison and fell in love with

360-483: Is situated about 80 mi (130 km) north of the South Unit, on U.S. Route 85 , just south of Watford City, North Dakota . Roosevelt's Elkhorn Ranch is located between the North and South units, approximately 20 mi (32 km) west of US 85 and Fairfield, North Dakota . According to the Köppen climate classification system, Theodore Roosevelt National Park has a Cold semi-arid climate ( BSk ). According to

400-613: Is the only American national park named directly after a single person. The park covers 70,446 acres (110.072 sq mi; 28,508 ha; 285.08 km ) of land in three sections: the North Unit, the South Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit. The Little Missouri River flows through all three units of the park. The Maah Daah Hey Trail connects all three units. The park's larger South Unit lies alongside Interstate 94 near Medora, North Dakota . The smaller North Unit

440-504: The 2020 census , there were 14,704 people, 5,416 households, and 3,519 families in the county. The population density was 5.3 inhabitants per square mile (2.0/km ) There were 7,661 housing units. As of the 2010 census , there were 6,360 people, 2,410 households, and 1,682 families in the county. The population density was 2.30 people per square mile (0.89 people/km ). There were 3,090 housing units at an average density of 1.12 units per square mile (0.43/km ). The racial makeup of

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480-583: The Bakken Formation oil boom . McKenzie County lies on the west line of North Dakota. Its west boundary line abuts the east boundary line of the state of Montana . The Missouri River flows easterly along the western portion of the county's north boundary line, and the enlargement of the Missouri as it discharges into Lake Sakakawea forms the eastern portion of the county's north and northeastern boundary line. The Yellowstone River flows into

520-720: The Elkhorn Ranch , 35 miles north of Medora, which he hired two Maine woodsmen, Bill Sewall and Wilmot Dow, to operate. Roosevelt took great interest in his ranches and in hunting in the West, detailing his experiences in pieces published in eastern newspapers and magazines. He wrote three major works on his life in the West: Ranch Life and the Hunting Trail , Hunting Trips of a Ranchman and The Wilderness Hunter. His adventures in "the strenuous life" outdoors and

560-804: The United States Department of Agriculture , the Plant Hardiness zone at the North Unit Visitor Center (2008 ft / 612 m) is 3b with an average annual extreme minimum temperature of -30.6 °F (-34.8 °C), and 4a with an average annual extreme minimum temperature of -29.3 °F (-34.1 °C) at the South Unit Visitor Center (2261 ft / 689 m). According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. Potential natural vegetation Types, Theodore Roosevelt National Park has two classifications;

600-580: The Williston Micropolitan Statistical Area, although the Census Bureau does not include McKenzie County in that grouping. The Dakota Territory legislature created the county on March 9, 1883, with areas partitioned from Howard County (now extinct). The county was named for Alexander McKenzie , a territorial political figure who was later disgraced for corruption. The county was not organized at that time, and

640-489: The McKenzie County government was organized, and its previous attachment to Stark was terminated. The first county seat was Alexander . In 1907 the seat was moved to Schafer , and in 1941 it was moved to the present location, Watford City. Between the 2010 and 2020 censuses, McKenzie County was the fastest growing county in the United States, growing by 131.2% from 6,360 to 14,704 inhabitants, largely due to

680-733: The Missouri River at the northwest corner of the county to rugged badlands near the Little Missouri River in the south, where Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the Little Missouri National Grassland are located. Between the two rivers is a large area of prairie, ranging from gentle rolling terrain to rocky, rugged pastures. The southeast corner of the county, bordering on the Little Missouri badlands of neighboring Dunn County ,

720-612: The North Unit of the park, in McKenzie County , whereas the somewhat smaller southern section covers only the western portion of the larger South Unit, in Billings County . The southern section is located at 46°59′N 103°33′W  /  46.983°N 103.550°W  / 46.983; -103.550 . The wilderness protects from development the wildest sections of the National Park, an area described as badlands where erosional forces have carved steep cliffs into

760-672: The North Unit was added by act of Congress in June 1948. In 1978, in addition to boundary adjustments and the establishment of 29,920 acres (121.1 km ) of the Theodore Roosevelt Wilderness , the park's designation was changed to Theodore Roosevelt National Park . The North Unit, the South Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit cover a total of 70,446 acres (110.072 sq mi; 28,508 ha; 285.08 km ). The park's larger South Unit lies alongside Interstate 94 near Medora, North Dakota . The smaller North Unit

800-565: The North Unit, Cottonwood Campground in the South Unit, and the Roundup Group Horse Campground in the South Unit. Wildlife viewing is popular The brown, dormant grass dominates from late summer through the winter, but explodes into green color in the early summer along with hundreds of species of flowering plants. During winter, snow covers the sharp terrain of the badlands and locks the park into what Theodore Roosevelt called "an abode of iron desolation." A museum at

840-473: The North Unit. The bison, elk, and bighorn sheep were reintroduced to the park. Park officials manage populations of bison, horses, and elk to maintain a balanced ecosystem. The entire park has been surrounded with a 7-foot tall (2.1 m) woven wire fence which keeps horses and bison inside the park and commercial livestock out. Other animals are able to pass over, under, or through the fence in specific locations provided for that purpose. Elk seek refuge in

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880-402: The South Unit Visitor Center provides background on Roosevelt and his ranching days. Roosevelt's Maltese Cross Cabin is at the South Unit Visitor Center. Roosevelt's Elkhorn Ranch is a separate, remote area of the park, 35 miles (56 km) north of Medora, accessible by gravel roads. The foundation of the ranch house and other shops buildings have been preserved, though the other portions of

920-623: The Williams County Public School District 8 to form the Williston Basin School District 7 . This North Dakota school-related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . McKenzie County, North Dakota McKenzie County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota . As of the 2020 census , the population was 14,704. Its county seat is Watford City . The county lies immediately adjacent to

960-474: The cabin were removed and re-purposed after Roosevelt vacated the ranch. Threats to the Elkhorn Ranch site include oil development on adjacent lands, particularly visual intrusions and noise pollution from oil facilities and traffic. The park units are mostly surrounded by grasslands . The area has very dark night skies with excellent star gazing and occasional northern lights . The town of Medora, at

1000-434: The county and assign its territories to Billings County. This act was challenged in the courts, and on May 24, 1901, the state Supreme Court held that the county was to continue in existence. On March 10, 1903, the county was attached to Stark County for administrative purposes. On March 16, 1905, McKenzie gained the territories of Allred and Wallace counties as those counties were administratively dissolved. On April 20, 1905,

1040-748: The county was $ 27,605. About 6.7% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line , including 12.8% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over. Elk, Poe, and Wilbur townships merged January 1, 2002 to form Tri Township. McKenzie County voters have traditionally voted Republican. In only one national election since 1948 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024). School districts include: K-12: Elementary: Former districts 47°44′N 103°23′W  /  47.73°N 103.39°W  / 47.73; -103.39 Theodore Roosevelt National Park Theodore Roosevelt National Park

1080-467: The county was 75.3% white, 22.2% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.4% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 39.5% were Norwegian , 30.6% were German , 6.1% were Irish , and 0.7% were American . Of the 2,410 households, 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.7% were married couples living together, 10.2% had

1120-468: The development of a new management plan with current research. The absence of livestock would enable reestablishment of natural grazing regimes to benefit native plant life and natural ecosystem function. Twenty-nine bison were introduced to a South Unit in 1956 and subsequently transferred 20 bison from that herd to the park's North Unit in 1962. They are routinely culled down to approximately 350 and 20 animals, respectively. The gathering and reduction of

1160-451: The east and north, with its highest point on its south boundary line, at 2,684 ft (818 m) ASL. The county has a total area of 2,861 square miles (7,410 km ), of which 2,760 square miles (7,100 km ) is land and 100 square miles (260 km ) (3.5%) is water. It is the largest county in North Dakota by area. The McKenzie County landscape features a wide diversity of physical features, ranging from sugarbeet fields bordering

1200-414: The extent to which translocated animals integrate into the established herds. Created by an act of Congress in 1978, the wilderness covers an area of 29,920 acres (121 km ) and comprises over a third of the area of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. There are two geographically separated sections of wilderness, one in each of the two main units of the National Park. The northern section covers most of

1240-858: The herd alternates between the two units each year. The bison are shared with Native American tribes to increase numbers in existing tribal herds and provide genetic diversity. The conservation of bison is an ongoing, diverse effort to bring bison back from the brink of extinction. The 2020 Bison Conservation Initiative by the Department of the Interior has five central goals: wild, healthy bison herds; genetic conservation; shared stewardship; ecological restoration ; and cultural restoration. Six yearling female bison were transferred from Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in 2020. National Park Service experts will study

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1280-539: The loss of his cattle in the starvation winter in 1886–1887 were influential in his pursuit of conservation policies as President of the United States (1901–1909). Following Roosevelt's death in 1919, the Little Missouri Badlands were explored to determine possible park sites. Civilian Conservation Corps camps were established in both of the future park units from 1934 to 1941, and they developed roads and other structures in use today. The area

1320-458: The northwestern corner of the county from Montana, and discharges into the Missouri at the county's northern boundary line. The Little Missouri River flows northeasterly through the county's lower portion, on its way to discharge into Lake Sakakawea, east of the county's east boundary line. The county terrain consists of semi-arid rolling hills, carved by river valleys and drainages. The area is partially devoted to agriculture. The terrain slopes to

1360-421: The park from external hunting pressure. The elk reproduce and have been removed to mitigate resource damage from overpopulation. Prairie dogs are native wildlife that are considered a keystone species because of their foraging and burrowing behaviors that mix soils and promote native plant diversity, critical to healthy landscape ecology. They also serve as a prey base for a variety of other native wildlife. After

1400-549: The park was fenced, a horse round-up held in 1954 removed 200 branded animals. A few small bands of horses eluded capture and went unclaimed. These horses continued to live free-range in the park. For several years the National Park Service tried to remove all horses from the park. In 1970, a change of park policy recognized the horse as part of the historical setting. Historically, the park conducted roundups every three to four years using helicopters to herd horses to

1440-470: The primary erosional source which created the badlands topography. Eighty-five miles (137 km) of trails allow access to the most remote sections of the wilderness. Camping is allowed with a permit, however gathering wood for fires is prohibited and overnighters are encouraged to bring a portable stove. U.S. Wilderness Areas do not allow motorized or mechanized vehicles, including bicycles . Although camping and fishing are usually allowed with

1480-414: The relatively flat prairie. Bison , pronghorn , elk , mule deer and coyote are all found here, along with hundreds of species of birds such as the bald eagle , falcon and hawk . The wilderness is separated into two sections along with the park, a north and a south unit, by a distance of 70 miles (110 km). The Little Missouri River is on the south side of both units and is credited for being

1520-612: The rugged lifestyle and the "perfect freedom" of the West. He invested $ 14,000 in the Maltese Cross Ranch, which was already being managed by Sylvane Ferris and Bill Merrifield, seven miles south of Medora. That winter, Ferris and Merrifield built the Maltese Cross Cabin . After the death of both his wife and his mother on February 14, 1884, Roosevelt returned to his North Dakota ranch seeking solitude and time to heal. That summer, he started his second ranch,

1560-702: Was designated the Roosevelt Recreation Demonstration Area in 1935. In 1946 it was transferred to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as the Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge . After a five-year campaign by North Dakota representative William Lemke , President Truman established the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park on April 25, 1947, the only National Memorial Park ever established;

1600-418: Was not attached to another county for administrative or judicial purposes. The county's boundary was altered in 1885, and on March 2, 1891, the state legislature authorized the dissolution of the county, assigning its territories to Billings and Stark counties. However, this directive was not implemented, and McKenzie continued as a defined county until November 3, 1896, when another act was passed to dissolve

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