A Tale Between Two Towers
The Towers of Friendship: Seth Bullock, Theodore Roosevelt, and a Symbol of Insight
In my previous post, I started to dive into the extraordinary friendship between Seth Bullock, Deadwood’s legendary sheriff, and Theodore Roosevelt, the adventurous president who dubbed Bullock “a true Westerner, the finest type of frontiersman.” Their bond, forged in the Dakota Territory, led to Bullock’s service as a captain in Roosevelt’s Rough Riders and his appointments as U.S. Marshal in 1905 by Roosevelt and in 1909 by President William Howard Taft. I hinted of the evocative idea that they would “go into their towers and talk to each other,” a phrase that still lingers in the west and captures the essence of their connection. Today, let’s explore the Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower in Deadwood, constructed in 1919, and clarify the misconception about a “Roosevelt Tower” in Medora, North Dakota. These “towers”—one real, one symbolic—stand as emblems of insight, inspiration, and the enduring power of friendship.
The Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower: A Monument of Inspiration
The Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower, a 31-foot stone structure atop Mount Theodore Roosevelt, lies just 2.5 miles from downtown Deadwood, South Dakota. Built in 1919, this monument was Seth Bullock’s heartfelt tribute to his friend Theodore Roosevelt, who died on January 6, 1919. Grieving the loss of his comrade, Bullock, with the support of the Society of Black Hills Pioneers, proposed renaming Sheep Mountain as Mount Theodore Roosevelt and erecting a memorial to honor Roosevelt’s legacy. Construction began in March 1919, with architects C.E. Dawson and H.S. Vincent designing a tower of native Black Hills stone, featuring a spiral staircase to a viewing platform. Costing an estimated $1,500 (about $27,000 in 2025 dollars), the tower was dedicated on July 4, 1919, during a patriotic ceremony attended by locals despite rainy weather.
The Friendship Tower is more than a monument—it’s a source of insight and inspiration. Bullock chose its location for its breathtaking views, stretching across the Black Hills to the plains where Roosevelt ranched in the 1880s. From the tower’s summit, visitors can see Bear Butte and, on clear days, up to fifteen other peaks, connecting with the landscape that shaped both men’s love for the West. The tower embodies their shared vision of conservation, as both Bullock and Roosevelt championed the creation of Wind Cave National Park and Devils Tower National Monument. Climbing its steep, narrow stairs to the platform, restored in 2010, offers not just a physical vantage point but a moment to reflect on the ideals of courage and stewardship that defined their friendship. Tragically, Bullock died just months after the dedication, on September 23, 1919, and was buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery with a clear view of the tower, his final resting place aligned with this symbol of their bond.
The Myth of a “Roosevelt Tower” in Medora
Some have mentioned a “Roosevelt Tower” in Medora, North Dakota, but research reveals no such structure exists at least not directly connected to Roosevelt. Medora, where Roosevelt served as a deputy sheriff in 1884 and ranched at his Elkhorn and Maltese Cross properties, was pivotal to his Western experience and likely where he first met Bullock in 1892. However, no monument akin to the Friendship Tower was built in Medora to honor Roosevelt. The confusion may arise from Roosevelt’s deep ties to the area or the similarity of place names, but the Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower in Deadwood, dedicated in 1919, stands as the sole memorial Bullock erected. It was the first public tribute to Roosevelt in the United States, a unique testament to their friendship.
This absence in Medora doesn’t diminish its significance to Roosevelt’s story and there is a huge tower, but it’s a smoke stack. Yes a chimney smoke stack at Chimney Park. I believe a lot of tourists for years connected the two at the other end of the story.
Situated on the western edge of Medora, this park area once contained the Marquis de Mores’s meat packing plant that burned down in 1907, leaving only partial foundations and the chimney we see today.
I keep the Ghostly story going! I tell all my visitors about the Medora Tower and how the two would visit over the vastness of the plains and Badlands. But there really isn’t another tower, except for maybe a towering butte.
Of course we can only imagine the words of inspiration the two great westerners shared with each other through the winds of the west.
The open plains around Medora inspired his conservationist ethos, much like the Black Hills inspired Bullock. The “tower” in Medora might be seen as a metaphorical one—a mental space where Roosevelt found insight during his ranching days, shaping his vision for America’s public lands. This symbolic tower aligns with the idea of Bullock and Roosevelt retreating to their “towers” to share ideas, whether through letters or conversations about the West’s future.
Towers as Symbols of Insight, Inspiration, and Friendship
The phrase “go into their towers and talk to each other” likely refers to both the physical Friendship Tower and the figurative spaces where Bullock and Roosevelt connected. The Deadwood tower, with its commanding views, symbolizes the insight they gained from the frontier—Roosevelt as a rancher and Bullock as a lawman. Their correspondence, filled with discussions of adventure, governance, and conservation, was a “tower” of ideas, inspiring each other to act. For instance, Bullock mentored Roosevelt’s sons at his Belle Fourche ranch, teaching them to hunt and handle livestock, while Roosevelt appointed Bullock as the first forest supervisor of the Black Hills Reserve.
The Friendship Tower itself inspires visitors today. The 0.6-mile hike from the Mount Roosevelt Picnic Area, accessible via Highway 85 and Forest Service Road 133, is a moderate ascent through the Black Hills National Forest. At the top, the tower’s platform offers a chance to reflect on the landscape that fueled Bullock and Roosevelt’s friendship. It’s a place to draw inspiration from their legacy of conservation and camaraderie, a reminder that even the most rugged individuals need allies to shape history.
Visit the Tower, Reflect on Friendship
The Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower, dedicated on July 4, 1919, is a must-visit near Deadwood. From Highway 85, take Forest Service Road 133 to the picnic area, then hike the short trail to the tower. Stand atop its platform, take in the views, and consider the insight and inspiration that Bullock and Roosevelt drew from each other. While no tower stands in Medora, the spirit of their friendship lives in the plains Roosevelt loved, a metaphorical tower of shared ideals.
What does the Friendship Tower mean to you? Is it a beacon of insight, a spark of inspiration, or a tribute to friendship’s power? Share this post on X and let’s discuss how Bullock and Roosevelt’s legacy resonates today!