The Maltese Cross Cabin Trail

The maltese cross ranch cabin was originally located about seven miles south of medora in the wooded bottom lands of the little missouri river.

The maltese cross cabin trail. John is observant tactful resourceful dextrous. The original roof had been removed by 1900 and the ceiling and pitched style roof were restored when the cabin was transferred to the park. Many other furnishings from roosevelt s day can be observed though they were not owned by the former president. Built in 1883 the cabin was roosevelt s first home in north dakota though it was located seven miles south of where it now sits.

As part of its present day teachings the cross represents eight beatitudes or blessings. At theodore roosevelt s request ranch managers sylvane ferris and bill merrifield built a one and a half story cabin complete with a shingled roof and root cellar. It was moved in 1939 when it was the centerpiece of the north dakota pavilion at the new york worlds fair. The logs of the maltese cross cabin are the original ponderosa pine used in 1883.

A good first aider in service of the order of st. Roosevelt s maltese cross cabin can be found just behind the visitor center. The maltese cross remains the symbol of the sovereign military order of malta which is still in existence and active as an international organisation for medical and humanitarian aid today. The cabin was larger than most frontier homes of the time with a living room kitchen bedroom and sleeping loft for the ranch hands.

The trunk was used as a lightweight traveling trunk and three of roosevelt s books were written at his desk. It is thought the window frames and front door are original although the latter shows evidence of. The maltese cross ranch cabin was originally located about seven miles south of medora in the wooded bottom lands of the little missouri river. The logs of the maltese cross cabin are the original ponderosa pine used in 1883.

Roosevelt s maltese cross cabin is a must see in his namesake national park. The original roof had been removed by 1900 and the ceiling and pitched style roof were restored when the cabin was transferred to the park. Both a trunk belonging to roosevelt and his writing desk adorn the cabin. It is thought the window frames and front door are original although the latter shows evidence of damage and repair.

The maltese cross cabin originally stood some seven miles south of medora.