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1915 — Governor Robert C. Williams tapped the cornerstone in place on
the capitol's northwest side on Statehood Day, Nov. 16. The four-ton
granite stone came from Tishomingo, Okla., and holds 50 historical
documents from 1915.
The Glass Factory, unable to negotiate a new contract for natural gas,
closed its doors. It had only been in business in Ponca City for three
years.
Marland opened the Three Sands oilfield, and along with Mayor Bill
McFadden, Lew Wentz, and others, began amassing considerable fortunes.
This created tremendous spill over effects for Ponca City in the form of
philanthropic gifts of public buildings, parks, school sites, and
swimming pools.
The original Lincoln Elementary School opened its doors as a one-room
schoolhouse.
The 101 Ranch shipped horses and mules to the allied forces overseas.
The 1915 season of The Wild West Show closed on Nov. 20. The show had
traveled for 34 weeks for a total of 12,000 miles, performed 188 shows
in 23 states, and made a profit of $200,000.
1916 — William McFadden, executive vice president of Marland Oil
Company, and mayor of Ponca City, directed the building of the tanks on
the present ConocoPhillips property. The "tank farm" constituted the
largest aboveground storage complex in the world. Filled with crude oil,
the tanks held a fortune. Oil prices tripled in reaction to the war in
Europe. "E.W. Marland and the company made $25 million," McFadden said,
"and it took him until 1928 to spend it all. We started slowly, but got
to the point of building a tank a day for a time." Filling those tanks
with crude oil and realizing huge profits when the war broke out gave
McFadden and Marland a big jump on the fortunes they both made.
Mayor McFadden was a prime mover in urging his fellow commissioners to
purchase land for the new city hall. He also sponsored the bond issue
that resulted in the construction of the auditorium section of the Civic
Center. One source says he "forced through the purchase of the
additional site." Around 1900, B.S. Barnes had built a home on Grand
Avenue between Fifth and Sixth streets. Barnes had the house moved so
that the new Civic Center could be built.
The Marland family moved into their new home on the southeast corner of
Tenth Street and Grand Avenue. The property extended east to Fourteenth
Street. The four-level Mission/Spanish Revival home was stucco with an
Italian clay barrel tile roof, 22 rooms and an indoor swimming pool.
Architect Solomon Layton, who also drew the plans for the State Capitol
building, the Skirvin Hotel, and the Oklahoma County Courthouse,
designed the home. The local contractor was Mr. O.F. Keck. Some of the
unique features in the home were a built-in vacuum system, air
conditioning, a game room, and a three car attached garage. The marble
fireplace in the living room originated from the Mexican palace of
Maximillian. The carriage house stood on the west edge of the property.
Virginia and E.W. Marland adopted her niece and nephew, George and Lydie
Roberts. The children had come to Ponca City from Flourtown,
Pennsylvania to visit about four years earlier. Virginia convinced her
sister and brother-in law, Margaret Collins Roberts and George Fredrick
Roberts, to let her and E.W. adopt the two teenagers.
Mr. Marland also built a home for his sister, Charlotte, on the
northwest corner of Tenth Street and Grand Avenue. It was Italianate
Revival style, and also designed by architect Layton. "Lottie" Marland
was president of the hospital guild, loved music and fine arts. She
owned the first electric car in Ponca City. The one-seated vehicle was
guided not by a steering wheel but by a swinging tiller similar to a
boat's steering mechanism. |
NOTE:
This site is provided by the Ponca City Publishing