Welcome to Ponca City!.....Ponca City was founded on September 16, 1893 when the
great land run opened the Cherokee Strip to white settlement. Named for one of
five neighboring tribes of Indians, Ponca's heritage was based on agriculture,
oil and industry. As the largest city in Kay County, Ponca City is bordered on
the southeast by the Arkansas River. To the north, west, and south are the flat wheat lands
of America's breadbasket, while to the east are the rolling prairie grasslands
and flint outcrops of the Osage.
During this "16-Page Virtual Tour," you will discover Ponca City's past by visiting
some of the many historic locations in town.
We will begin our tour at the Pioneer Woman Museum.....
Unveiled on April 22, 1930 - the anniversary of the first
run for land in Oklahoma, the Pioneer
Woman Statue was created by renown artist Bryant
Baker. The monument was conceived, directed and partially financed
by Ernest Whitworth Marland. An
oil man, philanthropist, U.S. Congressman, and the 10th Governor of
Oklahoma, Mr. Marland helped develop one of Oklahoma's largest early day
oil fields.
 In October, 1926, Marland invited twelve of the leading sculptors of the
world to submit competitive designs in the form of small models. Four months
later, the models were exhibited across the nation and 750,000 persons cast
votes for their preference. Bryant Baker's model was the most popular by a large
margin. The Pioneer Woman is a bronze statue 17 feet high and weighing 12,000
pounds. The total height of the monument is 30 feet. It was erected at a cost of
$300,000.
It carries the following inscription:
"In appreciation of the heroic character of the women who braved the
dangers and endured the hardships incident to the daily life of the pioneer and
homesteader in this country."
The Pioneer Woman Museum was dedicated on September 16, 1958 -
the 65th. anniversary of the opening of the Cherokee Strip for settlement. The
museum houses exhibits of household furniture, equipment, costumes, and
memorabilia of family life in the pioneer era. Displays of old
photographs, newspaper articles and flyers trace our heritage.
The museum also contains an extensive resource library on women in history,
with emphasis on pioneer women.
(Now lets go north 4 blocks on Monument to the
Marland Mansion, the next stop on our tour.
Enter the main gate and stop in the main parking lot.)
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NOTE:
This site is provided by the Ponca City Publishing