Cowboy Hall of Fame - Medora, North Dakota

Yippy Kiyay! North Dakota now has its own Cowboy Hall of Fame to honor the best there is and was in ranching, rodeo, Native Americans, and just all around Western lifestyle. Included in this 15,000 square foot building are the Hall of Honorees, an interpretive center complete with cultural exhibits, a theatre, multi-purpose meeting center, archives library, gift shop, and a children’s area. Of course, we can’t forget the beautiful view.

Architect Arnie Hanson of Bismarck, North Dakota, designed this three million dollar building located in downtown Medora, close to the gate of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Along with the Hall of Fame, archive library, etc., Hanson tacked on a 5,000 square foot patio so that everyone visiting could enjoy the amazing view of the Little Missouri River and the North Dakota Badlands.

To have the Hall of Fame so close to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park only makes sense. President Roosevelt, nicknamed “Old Four Eyes” by the locals, spent many years in North Dakota as a rancher. He had originally come to the area to fulfill his dream of shooting a buffalo, but soon grew attached to the locale and before he left, had become a full partner in the ownership of a ranch.

The Hall of Honorees honors the people, events, and even animals, that have contributed greatly to the western lifestyle in the Great Plains, and more specifically North Dakota. Each year a Board of Trustees votes on who and what should be the newest inductees to the Hall of Fame. The categories include Lifetime Leaders of Rodeo and Ranching, Rodeo, Ranching, Western Arts and Entertainment, Great Westerner of North Dakota, Cowboy Long Rider, Rodeo Producer and Livestock, Special Achievement, and Legacy Award. A few of the categories are only voted in every two or three years instead of annually.

The inductees to the Hall of Fame are announced each July, then awarded at the August North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame Roundup. Through the years there have been many well-known inductees to this Hall of Fame. Author Louis L’Amour was inducted to the Western Entertainment and Arts division in 1998, Sakakawea was a Great Westerner inductee in 2001, and Sitting Bull received the same award in 2005. Theodore Roosevelt was, of course, another inductee of the Great Westerner Hall of Fame in 1999.

The Hall of Fame offers memberships to those looking to help support their cause with varying levels of price and benefits. Children can join the Kids’ Club for $10 to $49 annually, and receive a membership card and newsletter subscription. For a price of $59 to $99 annually, the Wrangler Club offers a membership card, bumper sticker, newsletter subscription, and invitation to Cowboy Hall of Fame events. For $100 to $249 annually, members of the Ranch Boss Club or Trophy Spurs receive the same as the Wrangler Club, along with a window decal and limited edition coffee mug.

There are several additional levels of membership available up to and including $10,000 yearly which offers everything previously included along with a professionally produced video of yourself and your family’s history, shot in North Dakota. A copy of this film will be retained in the archives of the Hall of Fame.

North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame

250 Main Street
P.O. Box 137
Medora, ND 58645

Phone: (701) 623-2000
Fax: (701) 623-2001
E-mail: info@northdakotacowboy.com

Executive/Administrative Office
1110 College Drive
Suite 216
Bismarck, ND 58501
Phone: (701) 250-1833
Fax: (701) 250-1835