Medora is North Dakota's number one vacation destination.

There's the musical, the national park, and lots of shopping.

But what do you know about it's history? In this months edition of Inside History, we'll find out some things about Medora that may surprise you.

You know a lot about this town, but do you know much about Medora? Medora was an accomplished sports enthusiast a learned woman spoke a number of languages, she was an accomplished artist. Especially watercolors. This beautiful image of the Chateau de Mores is one example. She was basically sitting along the banks of the Little Missouri looking up at her summer home on the hill in the foreground you see the carriage house and the other buildings on the bluff where the Chateau de Mores sits. Medora could handle a Winchester as well or better than a paint brush. Although a woman of refined tastesshe was a skilled hunter and crack shot. In 1883 the Marquesa shot three deer with as much dexterity as though she was an expert in the hunting business. The Marquis says she hunts with me and is a better shot than I. On her last trip in the badlandsNovember 10th 1886she killed a pair of wildcats

Medora spent the rest of her life between New York and Paris. She did return to North Dakota in 1903...and then six years laterthis interesting story. What's interesting is she came back in 1909 from Paris to the US to reestablish her residency as an American citizen and listed Medora as her permanent residence. Medora and the Marquis left town in 1886 following one of the worst winters on record. The had three children

She died in 1856 and is buried overseas. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list