Newspaper Page Text
PACE 8A
THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2008
Features
STANDING BEAR
Standing Bear was one of the Native Americans who was forced by the government to walk over
750 miles to Oklahoma. When Standing Bear's son died in the harsh conditions of Oklahoma,
he walked back to their homeland in Nebraska to bury his son. He was arrested for leaving
Oklahoma and the trial that became a landmark case for Native Americans was held. Today,
a 22-foot bronze statue of Ponca Chief Standing Bear, created by Cowboy Artists of America,
Oreland C. Joe, is located in Ponca City.
Legends of Ponca City
E.W. Marland, Standing Bear sites bring tourists to Oklahoma town
PONCAN THEATRE
The Poncan Theatre is a wonderful look at an early Vaudeville
theater house. Be sure to check out the original posters and
artwork in the lobby and throughout the theater.
BY ANGELA GARY
Oil baron E.W. Marland, the 10th
governor of Oklahoma and founder of
Marland Oil Company, made and lost
more money in his lifetime than most
people can imagine. He moved west to
find his fortune and became one of the
oilmen that shaped the north Oklahoma
town of Ponca City from the wild west
to a modem town. He also had a sur
prising twist in his personal life when
he married his adopted daughter in his
later years.
Ponca Chief Standing Bear was in
a landmark trial that addressed for the
first time ever whether or not a Native
American “was a person.” The trial
lasted only two days but it left a mark for
generations to come. Standing Bear told
the judge, “My hand is not the color of
yours, but if I pierce it, I shall feel pain.
If you pierce your hand, you also feel
pain. The blood that will flow from mine
will be of the same color as yours. I am a
man. The same God made us both.” The
judge ruled in favor of Standing Bear.
E.W. Marland and Standing Bear are
just two of the legends that Ponca City,
Okla., can claim. Their stories are as
fascinating as the monuments, mansions
and memorabilia that can be found and
that brings tourists to flock to the town
each year. Marland's two homes and a
museum and statue honoring Standing
Bear are among the tourist stops that
make Ponca City a great place to visit.
The north central Oklahoma town
was formed during the famous land ran
called the Cherokee Strip. The country
side is beautiful with lush fields of grass
for as far as the eye can see. On our drive
to Ponca City from Bartlesville, we
saw wild mustangs roaming in a field,
pump jacks busy moving up and down
in search of oil below and flatlands for
miles and miles.
MARLAND HOMES
Our visit included a tour of Marland's
Grand Home and the Marland Mansion.
His first home in town and the mansion
he had built for his first wife are now top
tourist destinations in the town, as is the
museum that gives the history of the oil
company Marland started.
The “grand home” is the original home
of Marland. Unique features include an
automatic dishwaster, detached three-
car garage and the first indoor swim
ming pool in Oklahoma. It also has quite
an impressive library as Mrs. Marland
was an avid reader.
The home has a room with memora
bilia from the 101 Ranch. The 101 Ranch
was 110,000 acres of leased Indian lands
that spread across four counties and was
owned by the Miller family. In 1905, the
family started the 101 Ranch Wild West
Show, an expansion of the yearly rodeos
that featured roping, riding, bulldogging,
Indian dancers, trick roping, riding and
shooting. The show traveled all over the
world. In 1908, Marland, who at that
time was an oilman who was down on
his luck, met the Miller Brothers and
through them was able to drill on leased
Indian lands. In 1911, E.W. made it pay
off and went on to become a millionaire
oilman.
We also went to the E.W. Marland
Mansion, which was modeled after the
48,000 square foot home Davanzati
Palace in Florence, Italy. His “palace on
the prairie” has carved wood, sculptured
stone, wrought iron arched doorways.
Waterford crystal chandeliers and hand
painted and gold leaf ceilings. Also, a
leather lined elevator, seven fireplaces
and 12 ballrooms. It is quite an impres
sive showplace.
Marland had the home built for his
first wife who had seen similar homes
in Italy. Mrs. Marland died shortly after
the home was completed. Later on,
Marland married his adopted daughter.
He went through the legal process to
have the adoption annulled before he
married her.
The Conoco Museum in Ponca City
showcases the accomplishments, inno
vations and determination of Marland
Oil. which later became Continental Oil
Company and then Conoco. It provides
a great look at the history of the oil busi
ness and the men who made the industry
what it is today. The museum has 12 flat
screen TVs, interactive games, a 40-seat
theater, early service station and 1950s
research lab.
STANDING BEAR
Standing Bear was one of the Native
Americans who was forced by the
conoco museum
The Conoco Museum in Ponca City showcases the accomplish
ments, innovations and determination of Marland Oil, which
later became Continental Oil Company and then Conoco. It pro
vides a great look at the history of the oil business and the men
who made the industry what it is today. Among the highlights
are interactive games, a 40-seat theater, an early service sta
tion and a 1950s research lab.
101 RANCH MEMORABILIA
Marland's Grand Home in Ponca City has a room with memorabilia from the 101 Ranch. The 101
Ranch was 110,000 acres of leased Indian lands that spread across four counties and was owned
by the Miller family. In 1905, the family started the 101 Ranch Wild West Show, an expansion of
the yearly rodeos that featured roping, riding, bulldogging, Indian dancers, trick roping, riding and
shooting. The show traveled all over the world. In 1908, E.W. Marland, who at that time was an
oilman who was down on his luck, met the Miller Brothers and through them was able to drill on
leased Indian lands. In 1911, E.W. made it pay off and went on to become a millionaire oilman.
GRAND FOYER
This grand foyer is located in the E.W. Marland Mansion, which
was modeled after the 48,000 square foot home Davanzati
Palace in Florence, Italy. His "palace on the prairie" has
carved wood, sculptured stone, wrought iron arched doorways.
Waterford crystal chandeliers and hand painted and gold leaf
ceilings. Also, a leather lined elevator, seven fireplaces and 12
ballrooms. It is quite an impressive showplace.
PIONEER WOMAN STATUE
E.W. Marland commissioned
the Pioneer Woman Statue "in
appreciation of the heroic char
acter of women who braved
the dangers and endured the
hardships incident to the daily
life of the pioneer and home
steaders." It is 40 feet tall and
12,000 pounds and is located
in front of the Pioneer Woman
Museum.
SEARCH FOR OIL
On a drive to Ponca City, we spotted many pump jacks like the
one shown. The pump jacks move up and down in search of oil
below.
government to walk over 750 miles
to Oklahoma. When Standing Bear's
son died in the harsh conditions of
Oklahoma, he walked back to then-
homeland in Nebraska to bury his son.
He was arrested for leaving Oklahoma
and the trial that became a landmark
case for Native Americans was held.
Today, a 22-foot bronze statue of Ponca
Chief Standing Bear, created by Cowboy
Artists of America, Oreland C. Joe, is
located in Ponca City. The Standing
Bear museum includes displays from
the six area tribes — Osage, Pawnee,
Otoe-Missouria, Kaw, Tonkawa and
Ponca. Standing Bear Native American
Park and Museum serves as a tribute to
all Native Americans.
ALSO IN PONCA CITY
Other stops in Ponca City should
include:
•the Pioneer Women Statue and
Museum. Mr. Marland commissioned
the Pioneer Woman Statue “in appre
ciation of the heroic character of women
who braved the dangers and endured the
hardships incident to the daily life of the
pioneer and homesteaders.” At 40 feet
tall and 12,000 pounds, it is an amazing
tribute. The bronze beauty has a Bible
under one arm and is proudly leading
her son. The statute is located in front
of the Pioneer Woman Museum, which
has memorabilia and displays on early
female settlers.
•The Poncan Theatre is a wonder
ful look at an early Vaudeville theater
house. Built in 1927, it featured live
performances and silent films that were
accompanied by a Wurlitzer organ, two
pianos and the Poncan Orchestra. Among
the performers who were featured at the
theatre were Ethel Barrymore and Will
Rogers. Today, the Poncan has been
restored to its original glory and special
events are scheduled regularly. Be sure
to check out the original posters and
artwork in the lobby and throughout the
theater. We weren’t in town for a perfor
mance but enjoyed looking through the
historic theater.
•We had lunch from Head Country
Barbecue. The tender beef tenderloin
was perfect with their world famous
barbecue sauce and seasonings. You will
find their championship barbecue at
contests throughout the United States.
•Dinner was at Rusty Banell Supper
Club, which is a real treat. You ring the
bell to enter the old-time prohibition safe
house. It has the best steak around, as
well as a great salad bar.
For more information, go to www.
poncacitytourism.com.
Angela Gary is an editor with
MainStreet Newspapers. She can be
reached at AngieEditor@aol.com.