Born in New York City in 1858 into a wealthy family, Theodore Roosevelt struggled against ill health, and in his triumph became an advocate of the strenuous life. In 1884, his first wife, Alice Lee Roosevelt, and his mother died on the same day. Roosevelt spent much of the next two years on his ranch in the Badlands of Dakota Territory. There he mastered his sorrow as he lived in the saddle, driving cattle and hunting big game – he even captured an outlaw.

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During the Spanish-American War, Roosevelt was Lieutenant Colonel of the Rough Rider Regiment, which he led on a charge at the battle of San Juan. He was one of the most conspicuous heroes of the war. This led to the replacement of “Custer’s Last Stand” as the grand historic spectacle of the 1899 and 1900 seasons of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, with the “Battle of San Juan Hill.” Scripted by Nate Salsbury, the battle usually came as the show's finale.

 

Breathless press releases described the final heroic moments as “Roosevelt of the Rough Riders, on horseback, presses to the foot of the death-swept hill and calling upon the men to follow him, rides straight up and at the fortressed foe. There is a frantic yell of admiration and approval as the soldiers – white, red, and black – spring from their cowering positions of utter helplessness and follow him and the flag.” It is difficult to calculate the value that this spectacle had on the political fortunes of Theodore Roosevelt – but it must have been considerable. It boosted Roosevelt’s hero status, keeping his military exploits vividly before the public as he served as Governor of New York and then ran for the Vice-Presidency in 1900. Cody weighed in with a succinct and helpful estimation of his friend: “They don’t make any better men than Teddy Roosevelt.”

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With the assassination of President McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, not quite 43, became the youngest President in the Nation’s history. He brought new excitement and power to the Presidency, as he vigorously led Congress and the American public toward progressive reforms and a strong foreign policy.

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(The Teddy Roosevelt room is a suite that features 1 King size bed, 1 Queen Size bed, a single lavatory, & a tub with a hand shower.  All rooms have wired and wireless internet & individual heat/ac.-Facing West towards the Mountains)