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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.