Looking For A Business In Ponca City?

VISIT THE PONCA CITY MALL

Type in the business name or service, a list will come up complete with address and phone number!

1924 — The Jens-Marie Hotel opened at Second Street and Cleveland. Four pioneer oilmen funded the $350,000 building. The new six-story brick structure became the Mecca for men in the oil boom era. There were 125 guest rooms including twelve luxurious suites. Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Wiker were the first lessees and managers.

The six-story Masonic Building at Third Street and Grand Avenue was built, funded in part by Lew Wentz. This was the first real office building in downtown Ponca City. Security Bank and Trust occupied the first two floors. Lew Wentz organized the Wentz Oil Corporation on the third floor.

The new Garfield School building was completed at a cost of $104,297.

Southwestern Bell Telephone erected a new building at Second Street and Chestnut. The Ponca City News moved into their new building at Third Street and Cleveland. Roy Mertz opened Mertz Machine shop at Pine Street and Grand Avenue. Donahoe Milling Company added to their elevator storage in anticipation of building a new flourmill.

At the Colony Restaurant in New York City, sculptor Jo Davidson was introduced to E.W. Marland. He shared his dream of a sculpture to honor America's pioneer woman, whom he referred to as "America's Sunbonnet Woman." A few months later, Marland met with the artist in Paris and contracted with him to create three statues, one of himself as an oilman and the other two of his adopted children, Lydie and George.

The Ruby Hospital and Maternity Home was opened. Mrs. Ruby transformed her home into a "Protestant" hospital as a living monument to the memory of her husband, Charles, who had founded the Ponca City Oil, Gas and Mineral Company. It was Ida Ruby's goal to furnish the best hospital service at the lowest possible cost.

The Terrapin Derby became a new event at the annual Labor Day 101 Ranch rodeos. Joe Miller thought of the idea while watching land terrapins (turtles) crawl to get out of the sun. All turtles were identified by numbers painted on their backs. The entry fee was $2 for each turtle entered in the race. Of this, $1 from each entry went to the first place winner and the remainder went to 2nd and 3rd place winners. The winner was "Shingles," owned by former mayor Harry Cragin, who won $114.

Back | Section Entry Page | Next