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In 1925 Lew Wentz
began work on his "castle" by donating the site for the present Wentz Camp. An
old farmhouse served as mess hall for campers. The farmhouse was later torn down
and in 1928 construction started. The first significant structure was a custom
built water tower, topped by an observations deck. The combined water tank and
lookout held 30,000 gallons of water which was used as a general supply for the
camp. The tower or cylindrical portion is 7 feet in diameter and 75 feet high it
encloses a circular stairway which extends through the tank to a platform or
lookout 10 feet 6 inches in diameter. The observation point, which is 94 feet
above the ground, was surrounded by a lattice fence and was originally equipped
with telescope and search lights.
 The
swimming pool was soon added, followed by walls, crenellated towers, gateways,
cabins, guard houses, pavilions and terraces--all of locally quarried sandstone.
The pool is 50 feet wide by 150 feet long and varies in depth from 3 1/2 feet at
one end to 10 1/2 feet under the diving boards. It was finished in white and
blue granite tile.
Fifty-eight submarine lights made it possible to see the bottom of the pool
at all times. The pool held 310,000 gallons of water and required 10 hours for
filling and could be emptied in 22 minutes. The swimming pool was large enough
for regulation swimming meets.
Wentz Camp and Pool was set up under the Ponca City Educational Camp, Inc., a
trusteeship, and was open to organized recreational, religious and educational
groups of young people. Originally to be a Boy Scout Camp, the scouts were only
a small part of the number of visitors.
One of the closing features each year was the Wentz bathing beauty revue, at
which little girls - "unmarried ladies under 12" - competed in two divisions for
the titles of "Baby Ponca" (under age 5) and "Miss Ponca City" (ages 6-12). In
1933 Wentz Pool was the location for the State Beauty Contest to select
Oklahoma's young lady for the "Miss America" contest in Atlantic City.
Sources: Pamphlet, Ponca City, Ok 1934-35, The Ponca City News, Mistletoe Leaves
(OHS), Jan 1990
Today Wentz Pool and Camp may be rented for sponsored camps, family reunions,
events for the community, class reunions, and wedding receptions. The facility
is available from April 1st through October 31st of each year.
The Dining Hall has a working kitchen, tables and chairs for up to 120 people.
This building may be rented by itself. Dining Hall rental is $175.00 per day.
Camp rental rates:
30 people or less - $225.00 per day;
31 people or more - $8.00 per person per day.
The camp fee, payable in advance, entitles campers usage of the dining hall,
shower house, cabins, and the camp facilities. The facilities include: sand
volleyball court, a softball field and horseshoe pit. Wentz Camp provides
cabins, bunks and mattresses for the accommodation of up to 144 persons. The
camp also has 4 electrical RV Hook-ups that will accommodate RVs, travel
trailers, pop-ups tents, etc. The pool may be used at an additional charge. Pool
open to the public Memorial Day to Labor Day.
For information regarding availability for rental, call 580-767-0432.
E-mail: sherbtd@poncacityok.com
Set along the north bank of Lake Ponca
and nestled next door to the swimming pool, the
Lew Wentz Golf Course is simply one of the best,
both challenging and beautiful. It is open year-round and does have a Pro Shop.
(580) 767-0433
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NOTE:
This site is provided by the Ponca City Publishing