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1935 – E.W. Marland was inaugurated as
governor on January 15. His good friend, William McFadden,
served as grand marshal of the inaugural parade, riding a horse
from the 101 Ranch. Lydie Marland wore a borrowed dress to the
Inaugural Ball.
As governor, he promoted the development of the Oklahoma Highway
Patrol and also created the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact
Commission.
Oil was discovered beneath the State Capitol. Many protested the
oil production on state property, so Marland called in the
National Guard to protect drilling operations.
Henry Hatashita, Marland’s gardener, landscaped the grounds
around the governor’s mansion and the state capital building.
In August, Will Rogers died in a plane crash with his pilot
friend, Wiley Post.
Dr. C.E. Northcutt was elected mayor. He appointed a full time
doctor and nurse to serve indigent persons in need of help. He
also furnished a fully equipped office.
It was through the influence of Mayor Northcutt that Lester A.
Cann accepted the position of City Manager. Cann had been a Kay
County Commissioner from 1911 to 1935.
Homer S. Anderson was named principal of Ponca City High School,
a position he held for 30 years. His nickname was “Bird Dog,”
because when he caught a student breaking a rule, he followed
him to his next classroom or to his locker, and then had a
discussion. He was also known to attend every athletic event at
the school.
Conoco reported its greatest volume of business ever, even
though it was the Depression.
Lake Ponca was completed. The lake not only provided a water
supply for Ponca City, it also became the recreational center
for northern Oklahoma. The lake held approximately four billion
gallons of water. The labor costs for the project were $130,000,
and as many as 375 men were employed to do the work. The city
celebrated by holding a boating regatta. They also christened
the Police Department’s new patrol boat, “Miss Ponca City.”
Frank Lucas died. He had been Marland’s private secretary since
1918, and also served as Ponca City’s Postmaster.
The new Federal Building and Post Office opened at Fourth Street
and Grand Ave.
On April 17, Ponca City experienced a terrible storm, with
hailstones the size of golf balls. The storm seriously damaged
the clay tile roof at the Marland Mansion, and a number of the
estate’s water fowl were killed.
On December 18, Ponca City formally dedicated its new library as
a “silver jubilee” occasion. It had been 25 years since the
opening of the first public library. The exterior was buff brick
with cream colored terra cotta trim, and it was the first
library in Oklahoma to be air conditioned. The structure
received national attention, and several cities requested copies
of the architectural plans. |
NOTE:
This site is provided by the Ponca City Publishing