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1903 — Dr. N.M. Baskett was elected mayor. Baskett was a Democrat, and he was definitely supported by the Democrat newspaper, the Ponca City Democrat. Baskett had moved to Ponca City from Missouri, where he had served in the state senate. He was a partner in the firm of Rawlings and Co., druggists. He was identified as a "substantial businessman with a reputation above reproach." His Republican opponent was J.J. McGraw, a pioneer, cashier of the Farmers National Bank, and community leader, who was definitely supported by the Republican newspaper, the Ponca City Courier.

Women were allowed to vote for members of the school board. The Ponca City Democrat commented: "As these are important offices, the ladies should exercise the right of franchise and help select the best men to look after our schools. The Democrats present good men in the different wards for these places and they should receive the support of the ladies."

Charles H. Ruby, Ponca City grocer, organized the Ponca City Oil, Gas, and Mineral Company and sold stock to local farmers and townspeople.

An iron fence was placed around the city building and the building was painted.

Local taxes were raised from 20 to 22 mills.

Col. George Miller died and the 101 Ranch was taken over by his three sons. Each son had a specialty that made the ranch pay off. Joe, the oldest, was an expert in grains and plants. The middle son, Zack, was a cowman. The third son, George, was a financial wizard.

The Vanselous family moved into their new home on the Big V Ranch, just west of the 101 Ranch. The three-story house had 20 rooms, which included a lobby, offices, four bedrooms, two indoor bathrooms, and two apartments.

1904 — Mrs. George Brett and Mrs. F.D. Foutz invited 34 women to create a study club. The object of the club was intellectual improvement and a civic betterment, and they named it the "Twentieth Century Club." Their first project was to get the city park in condition for public use. The ladies received permission from the City Council to install seats and lunch tables, lights and water, along with a pavilion for band concerts.

The women of the Twentieth Century Club also organized a book exchange in back of the HCR Brodboll Insurance Company on Grand Avenue, thus beginning the city's first public library, consisting of 50 volumes. The clubwomen were the volunteer librarians.

J.W. Wiker leased the Rhodes House, later known as the Arcade Hotel, on the southwest corner of Grand Avenue and First Street. Wiker had previously been a manager for the famous "Harvey Houses." The hotel employed nine waitresses, four maids, three cooks, two dishwashers, a baker and a silver girl. The waitresses dressed in "Harvey House" style, with white starched pinafores, black long-sleeved sateen blouses, black shoes and stockings, and white headbands.

Ponca City's population was 2000.

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