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1941 – The Discalced Carmelite Fathers
purchased the Marland Mansion and grounds for $66,000. It became
known as the Marland Carmel Priory, a school of philosophy for
students of the Carmelite order.
The Darr School of Aeronautics purchased 36 acres adjacent to
the Ponca City airport. On August 1, Darr leased the 484-acre
main flying field at the airport, and the British Flight
Training School No. 6 began training pilots at the Ponca City
Airport on August 7.
Ponca City had 50 miles of surfaced streets, including brick,
concrete, asphalt, and oil mat. There were 30 miles of “earth
material” streets.
On October 3, E.W. Marland died at the age of 67. The funeral
was held at the junior high school auditorium. The Highway
Patrol escorted the funeral car to the auditorium. His body was
laid to rest in the mausoleum of the IOOF cemetery.
Lydie continued to live in the Chauffeurs Cottage on the grounds
of the mansion.
William McFadden, former partner of Marland Oil, named Grover
Blackard as the administrator of Mr. Marland’s Estate. The
Blackard’s purchased the gatehouse on 14th Street for their home
and his office.
William McFadden sold five bronze statues to Frank Phillips,
owner of Phillips 66. The statues had lined Monument Road when
it was part of the Marland Estate. They depicted McFadden,
George Miller of the 101 Ranch, John Bull, an Indian chief, Mrs.
John Bull, his wife, and Belle Starr, the “outlaw queen.”
Frank Overstreet, vice-president of First National Bank, and
T.J. Cuzalina, druggist, ran for mayor. Overstreet won with a
margin of 595 votes.
The Chamber of Commerce sponsored a Cherokee Strip Celebration
on September 16. On Friday night, The Bob Wills Orchestra played
for a free street dance and 20,000 people showed up. On
Saturday, William McFadden, who now lived in Ft. Worth, led the
parade on his palomino, followed by Governor Leon C. Phillips,
and a group of other dignitaries.
The parade ended at the Pioneer Woman Statue. |
NOTE:
This site is provided by the Ponca City Publishing