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Ponca City, Oklahoma

E.W. Marland was born May 8, 1874 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He studied to be an attorney, graduating from University of Michigan Law School at the age of nineteen. Marland?s years of practicing law led him to an interest in geology and a career in the oil industry. He prospered in the oil business, making his first fortune in the oil fields of West Virginia, only to lose it all in the panic of 1907. In 1908, Marland came to Oklahoma with not much more than belief in himself and a letter of credit. Mr. and Mrs. Marland made their home at the Arcade Hotel, and E.W. set out to explore for oil.

The first gusher of Oklahoma oil came in for Marland in 1911, on land he had leased from a Ponca Indian. Soon after, he discovered two more wells and then it seemed he found oil everywhere he looked. By 1922, E.W. Marland controlled one tenth of the world?s oil, and more than a third of the city?s population were employed by Marland Oil Company, now, Conoco Oil.

Later, Mr. Marland served in Congress and was Oklahoma's governor from 1935 to 1939. The legacy he left Ponca City and Oklahoma is immeasureable and his life story is an intriguing tragedy.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Pioneer Woman Museum & Statue

The Pioneer Woman Statue was commissioned by E. W. Marland. This 17 foot bronze is on the National Register of Historic Places. The newly expanded museum features exhibits of women who have made outstanding "pioneering"

Ponca City, OK Arts

Ponca Chief, Standing Bear

Standing Bear won the battle for himself and for all Native Americans to become "persons" under United States law. His fight for his land and his dignity has been recorded as one of the first victories for civil rights in America.

Ponca City, OK Ethnic Heritage


Centennial Plaza

The Centennial Plaza, with its backdrop of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, was started as a project for the Centennial year of the 1893

Ponca City, OK Arts

101 Ranch Memorial

101 Ranch - A National Historic Landmark, this picnic area commemorates the 101 Ranch which was home to the hundreds of participants in the famous 101 Wild West Show. This show, which traveled throughout the world in the 1920

Ponca City, OK Memorials

Things to do near Ponca City, OK

Shattuck Municipal Golf Course

The Shattuck Municipal Golf Course is a 9 hole course located 1 mile south of town on Highway 283. ...

Ponca City Country Club

Course Access: PrivateHoles: 18Reserve Advance Tee Times: 2 days...