The Story Behind the Namesake of Roosevelt Park

Have you ever wondered about the history behind why Minot has a park named for Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States? We have all heard of the stories of Roosevelt and his love of the Badlands, he also referred to his presidency as being run from the "bully pulpit" and he is quoted stating, "I never would have been President had it not been for my experience in North Dakota." There has been a long love with North Dakota and Roosevelt since his first trip in 1884, shortly after the loss of his mother and his wife. This newly discovered love with our state continued over many years and he was back at his home ranch, Elkhorn Ranch, yearly and it helped continue his lifelong advocacy for conservation of natural resources and designation of public lands as national forests.

The park has a long history, dating back to 1914 when it held the name the Riverside Park, with the Zoo being established the same year. The Riverside Park Zoo was created by the Minot Park District on April 9, 1914. When it was founded, it had 24 total animals in its care. It was made up of 12 red squirrels and 12 grey squirrels. The zoo then received its first large animal, a single male bison in 1921 and the complete zoo was housed in the zoological building now referred to as the aviary, housing a variety of bird species. President Roosevelt passed away in 1919, and in 1922 the park and zoo were renamed the Roosevelt Park Zoo.

Minot's park "protector" and prominent symbol first arrived in Minot in 1924 and was dedicated in September of the same year by Dr. Henry Waldo Coe of Portland, Oregon. Dr. Henry Waldo Coe was one of the first physicians in the Dakota Territory moving to Mandan, North Dakota in 1880. He served in the last territorial legislature before North Dakota gained statehood. While living in Mandan he met young Teddy Roosevelt, and they became fast friends throughout Roosevelt's whole life. He was a trusted advisor to President Roosevelt while he was in the White House and beyond. The Teddy statue in Minot's Roosevelt Park was referred to as Minot’s Rough Rider and was first located outside the parrot house but was later moved to the location in the middle of the park. The sculpture was cast in Brooklyn and shipped here via the Panama Canal to avoid it being cut into pieces to transport it. Dr. Coe commissioned and donated two Teddy Roosevelt statues in North Dakota, one resides in Mandan and the other here in Minot’s Roosevelt Park.

When the project team on the Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection Project (MREFPP) did an inventory of the park and zoo, there were over 100 signs, plaques, monuments, or items in honor or dedicated to Roosevelt Park & Zoo. These are all in the care of Minot Parks and Roosevelt Park Zoo until the project is complete and they determine how they will be incorporated or reenvisioned into the newly designed area.

Minot's Roughrider made one more journey in November of 2024 to his final location in the front of the Roosevelt Park & Zoo entrance from the south side on Burdick Expressway. It is truly a fitting space for him to greet visitors who want to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, enjoy the conservation and protection of animals, and want a little adventure. Welcome Home Teddy! Bully!

Teddy Roosevelt statue, after his refurbishment, at his second location of Roosevelt Park.

Portions of the Teddy Roosevelt statue as it was being made and assembled before casting.

More assembly of the horse before his rider was added. The full sculpture is 9 feet tall, 12 feet long and 3 feet wide, which does not include the base it sits on.

The statue was cast in bronze, shipped fully assembled and traveled through the Panama Canal to avoid cutting it into pieces for shipment.

Inscription on the bottom of the statue noting Dr. Henry Waldo Coe's donation to the park.

November 6th, 2024, Mr. Roosevelt took a slow walk through the park to his new and final home.

Base completed with final touches to come.

Bully!