De Mores Packing Plant Ruins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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De Mores Packing Plant Ruins
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 Location in North Dakota
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Medora, North Dakota |
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| Area | 20 acres (8.1 ha) |
| Built | 1883 |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001300 |
| Added to NRHP | February 18, 1975 |
The De Mores Packing Plant Ruins are a historic site located near Medora, North Dakota. This place is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical landmark. Today, the area is known as Chimney Park, a large open space within Medora.
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A Big Idea in the Old West
The De Mores Packing Plant was built in 1883. It was a place where cattle were processed into meat products. The plant was started by a French nobleman named Marquis de Morès. He had a big idea to change how meat was sold.
The Marquis's Plan
The Marquis de Morès arrived in North Dakota in 1883. He wanted to build a meat packing business. His plan was to process cattle right where they were raised. This would save money because he wouldn't have to transport live animals. Usually, cattle were sent alive to big cities in the east. This cost a lot to feed and care for them during the trip.
The Marquis wanted to cut out the "middleman." A middleman is someone who buys products from one person and sells them to another. He planned to ship processed beef directly from the ranch to people who would eat it. He thought this would make meat cheaper and his business very successful.
Building the Plant
The Marquis built his plant in Medora. It was right next to the Little Missouri River. This spot was also close to where the Northern Pacific Railway crossed the river. Being near the river and the railway was important for transporting goods.
The plant was quite large for its time. It could process about 150 cows every day. The facilities included many buildings. There was a slaughterhouse, a power house, and a cooper shop. A cooper shop made barrels for shipping. There were also three ice houses to keep meat cold. A special building was used for cooling and storage. There was also a loading platform and pens for holding the cattle.
Why the Plant Closed
Despite the Marquis's big plans, his meat packing business did not succeed. The plant closed down in 1886, just three years after it opened. Some people believe that the very harsh winter of 1886-1887 played a part in its failure. The extreme weather made it hard to operate.
The plant buildings were later destroyed by a fire. This happened on March 17, 1907.
Preserving the Ruins
The site of the De Mores Packing Plant was acquired by North Dakota's State Historical Society in 1936. This group works to protect important historical places.
Restoration Efforts
As part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project, some work was done to preserve the ruins. The WPA was a government program that created jobs during the Great Depression. Workers placed markers at the corners of where the buildings once stood. Parts of the slaughterhouse foundation and the tall chimney were also repaired. More repairs were made in 1970 to keep the site safe.
Today, the site covers about 20 acres. Only one main structure still stands. The most noticeable part is the tall chimney from the old slaughterhouse. It's a clear reminder of the plant's past. The site was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
