Chateau de Mores facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Chateau de Mores
|
|
Chateau De Mores
|
|
 Location in North Dakota
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | SW of Medora, North Dakota, US on west bank of Little Missouri River |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Medora |
| Area | 128.3 acres (51.9 ha) |
| Built | 1883 |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001299 |
| Added to NRHP | April 16, 1975 |
The Chateau de Mores is a historic house in Medora, North Dakota. A French nobleman named the Marquis de Mores built it in 1883. It was meant to be a fancy hunting lodge and a summer home for his family and guests. Today, the Chateau is part of the 128-acre (0.52 km2) Chateau de Mores State Historic Site. This site also includes Chimney Park and de Mores Memorial Park.
Contents
History of the Chateau de Mores
The Marquis's Business Plan
The Marquis de Mores was a French nobleman and a businessman. He arrived in the Dakota badlands in 1883 with a big idea. He wanted to start a new type of cattle business. His plan was to slaughter cattle and then pack the meat using cold storage. He would then ship it east using special refrigerated rail cars.
The Marquis built a slaughterhouse in the town he founded. He named this town Medora, after his wife, Medora Marie Von Hoffman. He also built many other buildings in Medora for his workers. These included St. Mary's Catholic Church.
The Business Fails
For about three years, the small town of Medora was very busy. But in 1886, the Marquis's business failed. This happened for a few reasons. There was a drought, which made it hard to raise cattle. There was also strong competition from other meat packers back east. The Marquis also lacked enough business experience. After the business failed, the meat plant was closed.
The Marquis and his family went back to Europe. But they left behind a small town that still had the feel of the American Old West.
Family Visits to the Chateau
The Marquis's family lived in the chateau only during the warmer months. They stayed there for just three years, from 1883 to 1886. During the cold winter, they would return to France.
After 1886, the Marquis visited the chateau only twice more, in 1887 and 1889. His wife, Medora, and their children visited only once more in 1903. She stayed for six weeks after the Marquis had passed away.
The Chateau After the Family Left
From then on, caretakers looked after the house. They would get the house ready each spring, hoping the family would return. But the family never did.
In 1921, the Marquis's oldest son allowed the caretakers to run the chateau as a boarding house. During this time, the house suffered from things being stolen and not being properly cared for.
Giving the Chateau to North Dakota
In 1936, the house and its land were given to the state of North Dakota. The condition was that the state would take care of it and open it to the public. The house was restored between 1937 and 1941 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It was restored again in 1995.
The Chateau de Mores Museum
The Chateau de Mores is now a museum. The State Historical Society of North Dakota operates it. You can visit the museum and take guided tours. Inside, you will see reproduced carpets and wallpaper. There are also real items from the time period and old furniture.
One part of the museum focuses on the Marquis de Mores, who built the house. Other changing exhibits show art, culture, and history.
Chateau Architecture
The chateau itself is a two-story building. It has 26 rooms and is made of wood. Locals called it a "chateau," but it wasn't as grand as true European chateaus.
Even though it was simple by noble standards, it was much fancier than most homes built by settlers in Dakota at that time. Most settlers lived in houses made of sod or logs.
See also
- Von Hoffman House, another historic building in Medora linked to the Marquis de Mores
- Badlands
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park
