90-520: The Pioneer Woman monument is a bronze sculpture in Ponca City, Oklahoma , designed by Bryant Baker and dedicated on April 22, 1930. The statue is of a sunbonneted woman leading a child by the hand. It was donated to the State of Oklahoma by millionaire oilman E. W. Marland . He commissioned models from twelve well-known sculptors and financed a nationwide tour to get feedback from art critics and
180-638: A United States Army Corps of Engineers project. The facility, located 7 mi (11 km) east of Ponca City, dams the Arkansas River. The electric utility is managed by the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority of Edmond, Oklahoma . The city is accessible by I-35 , US-60 , US-77 , US-177 and OK-11 . On Grand Avenue (Business US-60), a series of new lamp posts is intended to look more classic. This project also replaced every traffic light along Grand Avenue except
270-608: A bare breast. No stranger to multi-tasking, she still manages to hold on to her rifle while feeding the baby. Many years after the competition Wheeler Williams' model was re-discovered, enlarged, cast, and now sits in front of the public library in Liberty, Kansas . The submitted bronze models were unveiled at the Reinhardt Galleries in New York on February 26, 1927 where they remained in exhibition until March 19. At
360-533: A bonneted woman in ankle length dress striding forward, and like its predecessor, she holds a large book/Bible in her right crooked arm as well as carrying a large bundle on the same arm. At 36 feet tall she more closely approaches the monumentality that Marland was originally seeking for his work. Hardship and Dreams was the title of a sculpture by Dorothy Koelling (1913-2004) unveiled in Wichita, Kansas on June 28, 1994. A newspaper article at that time described
450-404: A dinner for the twelve finalists the evening before the models were revealed to the public, Marland announced: Pictures have we in plenty of the stern Pilgrim Fathers and the gallant gentlemen of the friendlier Virginia soil, but we are forced to draw on our imagination somewhat for pictures of the mothers. When these women started West all their earthly possessions could be packed on a horse or in
540-484: A fly-in breakfast every first Saturday of the month, year around, "rain or shine". Commercial air transportation is available out of Stillwater Regional Airport about 40 miles to the south, Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport about 89 miles to the north, or Tulsa International Airport about 101 miles to the southeast. Ponca City was one of the filming locations for 1996 movie Twister . The 2020 children’s film “Adventures of Rufus: The Fantastic Pet”
630-518: A global corporation. During the oil boom years of the 1980s, Conoco was owned by the DuPont Corp., which took control of the company in 1981. After nearly two decades of ownership and an oil bust that crippled Oklahoma's economy in the late 1980s, DuPont sold off its Conoco assets in 1998. In 2002, Conoco merged with Phillips Petroleum (another major petroleum player with roots in northern Oklahoma) to become ConocoPhillips . ConocoPhillips
720-526: A household in the city was $ 23,750, and the median income for a family was $ 32,500. Males had a median income of $ 26,667 versus $ 19,375 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 14,917. There were 9.4% of families and 13.5% of the population living below the poverty line , including 33.3% of under eighteens and 8.3% of those over 64. The community is served by Coffeyville USD 445 public school district. The Wes Anderson film The French Dispatch (2021) references and has scenes that takes place in
810-604: A median income of $ 32,283 and females $ 20,098. The per capita income was $ 22,566. About 12.7% of families and 17.7% of the population were below the poverty line , including 23.6% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over. E. W. Marland built the Ponca City refinery in 1918 and founded the Marland Oil Company . In 1929, the Continental Oil Company merged with Marland , and
900-439: A minute, but I don't see myself working for you for the rest of my life." Marland ultimately convinced Davidson to go to Ponca City, Marland's then home town, and create three statues for him: one of Marland and one of each of Marland's adopted children, Lydie and George. While Davidson was producing his three Marland statues E.W. told him of another project that he has in mind, "E.W.'s most cherished dream." Davidson writes, " It
990-459: A nationwide radio address on WJZ by United States President Herbert Hoover broadcasting from the White House. He introduced the native Oklahoman, Secretary of War Patrick J. Hurley who had intended to attend the unveiling in person before his visit was curtailed by illness and so spoke from his home. After the first half-hour the broadcast continued from Ponca City. Other speakers during
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#17327870391531080-750: A new club in the Sooner State League called the Ponca City Cubs . The Ponca City Cubs played through 1957, the last season of professional baseball in Ponca City. Ponca City is home to several landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places , including the Poncan Theatre , the Marland Mansion , and Marland's Grand Home . Ponca City also holds several regional events each year. On September 17, 2024,
1170-916: A roughly 3 feet (0.9 m) tall bronze model for the statue. He further proposed that the models tour the United States and that the American public vote as to which of the models would be erected in Ponca City. Several sculptors, Daniel Chester French , George Grey Barnard and Paul Manship turned Marland down, also declining were the only two women invited, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney and Anna Hyatt Huntington , leaving him with an even dozen artists, all males. The artists who submitted models were Bryant Baker , A, Stirling Calder , Jo Davidson , James Earle Fraser , John Gregory , F. Lynn Jenkins , Mario Korbel , Arthur Lee , Hermon Atkins MacNeil , Maurice Sterne , Mahonri Young , and Wheeler Williams . The models were to tour America and everyone who visited
1260-684: A statue to the vanishing American, a Ponca, Otoe, or an Osage - a monument of great size?" Marland answered, "the Indian is not the vanishing American - it's the pioneer woman." He sponsored a competition for the winning statue. In 1927, miniature 3 feet (0.9 m) sculptures were submitted as part of a competition by 12 U.S. and international sculptors: John Gregory , Maurice Sterne , Hermon Atkins MacNeil , James Earle Fraser , Alexander Stirling Calder , Wheeler Williams , Mario Korbel , F. Lynn Jenkins, Mahonri Young , Arthur Lee , Jo Davidson , and Bryant Baker . They were displayed in 12 cities around
1350-423: A tour of museums and art galleries across the nation. From its opening at the Reinhardt Galleries, the tour moved on. Stops included Boston , Pittsburgh , Cincinnati , Buffalo , Detroit , Indianapolis , Chicago , Minneapolis , Kansas City , Dallas , Oklahoma City , Fort Worth , and Ponca City . At each location visitors were invited to vote for their three favorite models. In all over 750,000 people viewed
1440-425: A wagon. What sturdy broods they bore, ever pushing westward, ever making homes on the lands their husbands gained. The toll of life resulting from their hardships left millions of unmarked graves across this continent, graves of women who dies that we might live and love this homeland. Marland reserved the right to make the final choice for the monument, but he sought input from the public and so these models then began
1530-403: A writ of habeas corpus challenging his arrest. The case of Standing Bear v. Crook (1879) was a landmark decision in the U.S. District Court , where the judge ruled that Indians had the same legal rights as other United States citizens. A statue of Standing Bear was erected in his honor at the intersection of Highway 60 and Standing Bear Parkway in Ponca City. In the late 20th century,
1620-592: Is 27 feet (8.2 m) high and weighs 12,000 lb. Widely known as the Pioneer Woman Statue, the bronze sculpture's true name is "Confident". A related museum commemorating Oklahoma women was opened on September 16, 1958, on the 65th anniversary of the Cherokee Strip land run. It recognizes the work of Native American, as well as European-American women, and their leadership and stamina in creating homes, raising children, and taking care of
1710-609: Is a city in Montgomery County , Kansas , United States. As of the 2020 census , the population of the city was 99. Liberty was laid out in 1869 about six miles southeast of Independence, Kansas . It is named for the popular American ideal of liberty . When the railroad was built through the county in 1870, Liberty relocated to its present site. The first post office in Liberty was established in May 1870. According to
1800-411: Is a high-conversion facility that produces a full range of products, including gasoline, diesel, aviation fuels, liquefied petroleum gas , and anode-grade petroleum coke. Its facilities include two fluid catalytic cracking units, alkylation , delayed coking, naphtha reforming, and hydrodesulfurization units. Finished petroleum products are shipped by truck, railcar, and pipelines to markets throughout
1890-523: Is near the Arkansas River, the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River, Kaw Lake , and Lake Ponca, which all provide numerous recreational opportunities. The Ponca City region of Oklahoma is part of " Tornado Alley ". Tornadoes are most common in April, May, and June. Ponca City faces very hot and humid summers with temperatures frequently rising to over 100 °F (38 °C), as well as severe storms. During
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#17327870391531980-681: Is now held in Standing Bear Park. Ponca City is located in southeastern Kay County northwest of the Arkansas River . The city sits on roughly 47.6 km (18.4 sq mi) of land, and also has about 3.2 km (1.2 sq mi) of water, for a total area of 50.8 km (19.6 sq mi). The city is in north-central Oklahoma , around 21 mi (34 km) south of the Kansas border, and approximately 15 mi (24 km) east of Interstate 35 . The city
2070-457: Is on the road to recover. There are few men of the West of my generation who did not know the pioneer woman in his own mother, and who does not rejoice to know that her part in building that great civilization is to have such beautiful recognition. It was those women who carried the refinement, the moral character and spiritual force into the West. Not only they bore great burdens of daily toil and
2160-443: The Arkansas River , a railway, and the presence of a freshwater spring near the river at what is modern 13th Street and South Avenue in Ponca City. The city was laid out by Burton Barnes, who drew up the first survey of the city and sold certificates for the lots he had surveyed. After the drawing for lots in the city was completed, Barnes was elected the city's first mayor. Another city, Cross , vied with Ponca City to become
2250-610: The Kaw , Osage , Otoe-Missouria , Pawnee , and Tonkawa . These are all federally recognized tribes, as is the Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma . In 1994, the six tribes established the Standing Bear Foundation and Pow-wow, beginning the first of annual shared pow-wows , to which they invite the public. They wanted to build collaboration among the tribes and with the non-Native residents of Ponca City. The pow-wow
2340-635: The National Park Service announced that the Ponca City and Kay County were jointly named a World War II Heritage City . Ponca City is the site of the Pioneer Woman Museum and the Pioneer Woman statue . The statue was erected to commemorate women pioneers. In the early 1920s, E. W. Marland decided to create a statue commemorating the pioneer woman . Marland was reportedly asked, "E. W., why don't you have ...
2430-478: The Pioneer Woman statue. "it was especially on the "Pioneer Woman" that De Lue manifest his talent ... ... Baker claimed that the conception and movement of the final monument was developed in an eight-to-ten inch sketch model made by him a few hours after he learned about the competition. De Lue executed the thirty-three inch competition model for the sculpture in 1927, with Baker supervising and completing
2520-548: The State Quarter for Oklahoma was to be issued in 2008, there was a statewide call for proposals to be sent to the Mint for final design work. From the thousands of designs received, five were sent along to the mint. Four of the five submitted designs included the Pioneer Woman . When the professional designs returned from the mint in order for the people of Oklahoma to decide on the final design by voting amongst them, none of
2610-638: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 0.26 square miles (0.67 km ), all of it land. The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Liberty has a humid subtropical climate , abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. The 2020 United States census counted 99 people, 46 households, and 30 families in Liberty. The population density
2700-679: The 19th century, the Poncas' trek was arduous. Followed by the United States government's failure to provide adequate supplies and malaria at their destination, nearly one-third of the Ponca died from illness and exposure. "Out of 700 Ponca who left the Nebraska reservation, 158 died in Oklahoma within two years." The Ponca protested their conditions. An additional irritant occurred upon
2790-565: The 90 minute broadcast were Marland, Baker, Episcopal Bishop of Oklahoma Thomas Casady , Oklahoma Governor William J. Holloway , and Oklahoma humorist, Will Rogers , who closed the unveiling ceremonies. Mr. Chairman and fellow-citizens gathered at Ponca City: It is a pleasure both to address a great audience gathered to do honor to the pioneer woman and to support my friend, the Secretary of War, who, to your and my misfortune, cannot yet leave his room from recent illness, from which happily he
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2880-765: The Midcontinent region. Ponca City hosted minor league baseball from the 1920s through the 1950s. The Ponca City Poncans played in 1924, the Ponca City Angels played from 1934–1938 (winning three Western Association championships), and the Ponca City Dodgers (an affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers ) operated from 1947–1952. The Ponca City Jets played in the Western Association in 1954, only to be replaced in 1955 by
2970-649: The Northern Oklahoma Development Authority, the city of Ponca City and Conoco to pay for repairs, lighting and landscaping around the statue. On September 16, 1958, the 65th anniversary of the opening of the Cherokee Outlet which included the land of Ponca City, the state opened the Pioneer Woman Museum, on land adjacent to the monument. An image of the Pioneer Woman statue serves as the de facto logo of
3060-533: The Oklahoma prairie, and his company virtually built the city from the ground up. Marland and his associates built mansions to display their new wealth, including the Grand Home and the E.W. Marland Estate (once called the "Palace on the Prairie"). Because of this period of wealth and affluence, Ponca City has a high concentration of buildings that exemplify the popular Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of
3150-677: The Pioneer Women's Memorial association presided over the unveiling of the Kansas Pioneer Memorial by Kansas born sculptor Merrell Gage , a work very different from Baker's. In 1959 a 36' tall fiberglass sculpture by Gordon Shumaker was produced to commemorate the first 100 years of the Minnesota State Fair . It stands in front of the Pioneer Building. Like the Ponca City statue, it depicts
3240-427: The age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.9% were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.72. The median age in
3330-534: The balloting. Young, who described not winning the competition as the worst disappointment in his career, did manage to get some of his ideas out in later works. Toone also adds that the winning sculptor, Baker Bryant used, "a professional actress as his model, which produced a glamorous figure, representing Western myth more than reality." There are some questions raised about the winning design by Donald De Lue , at that time Baker Bryant's chief assistant. De Lue's biographer, D. Roger Howlett makes several points about
3420-590: The city developed a park and museum named in his honor. In addition to the Standing Bear Museum, the 63-acre park includes more than eight fully developed acres with off street parking, a one-acre pond and a walking trail. The Ponca Nation , which has kept its headquarters south of Ponca City since 1879, played a major part in the development of the Marland Oil Company and the city. Chief White Eagle leased resource-containing portions of
3510-552: The city was 41.5 years. 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22% were from 25 to 44; 30.1% were from 45 to 64; and 17.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.4% male and 49.6% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 95 people, 50 households, and 29 families residing in the city. The population density was 369.0 inhabitants per square mile (142.5/km ). There were 62 housing units at an average density of 240.8 per square mile (93.0/km ). The racial makeup of
3600-434: The city was 85.26% White , 1.05% African American , 8.42% Native American , and 5.26% from two or more races. There were 50 households, out of which 18.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.0% were non-families. 40.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.0% had someone living alone who
3690-568: The city. The city's recent efforts to grow its economy beyond the petroleum industry have attracted a number of technology, manufacturing, and service jobs. In 2005, ConocoPhillips announced plans to build a $ 5 million museum across from its Ponca City refinery. Opened to the public in May 2007, the Conoco Museum features artifacts, photographs, and other historical items related to the petroleum industry and its culture in northern Oklahoma. A sister museum, Phillips Petroleum Company Museum,
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3780-405: The city. The population density was 473.1 inhabitants per square mile (182.7/km ). There were 69 housing units at an average density of 265.4 per square mile (102.5/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 91.1% White , 1.6% Native American , and 7.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population. There were 58 households, of which 27.6% had children under
3870-509: The daily life of the pioneer and homesteader in this country The image of the Pioneer Woman has long been a symbol of Ponca City. In 1941 as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations the General Federation of Women's Clubs presented gold and bronze medals with a bas-relief of the Pioneer Woman to prominent and long-standing members. The statue is also the official emblem of the four-state Ozark Frontier Trail . When
3960-497: The death of Standing Bear 's oldest son in 1879. The chief had promised to bury him in his homeland, and about 60 Ponca accompanied him back to Nebraska. The U.S. Army was ordered to arrest them for having left the reservation, and they were confined to Fort Omaha . Most of the tribal members who left eventually returned to the reservation in Oklahoma . With the aid of prominent attorneys working pro bono , Standing Bear filed
4050-593: The designs included the book which is held under the Pioneer Woman ' s arm. As this book is often thought to be a Bible , this was viewed as an attempt at censorship by the government and caused a statewide controversy. Eventually the fifth design was selected. That the book was intended to be the Bible was made clear by Baker in an interview in which he stated, "In trying to symbolize the Pioneer Woman of America I wanted to depict Courage and Faith ... The Bible
4140-407: The enlarger. De Lue later remembered: "One day Bryant decided he would work on it, and did some work. I said, 'Look, Bryant, if I were you I'd get the hell out of here, because you're not helping at all,' He said, 'Thank you very much.' and he went." The cost of the Pioneer Woman project was approximately $ 350,000. This included a $ 10,000 honorarium for each of the twelve finalists plus $ 100,000 for
4230-411: The erection of this monument, we pledge a reverence to the woman who has laid the foundation of the character of our community, State and nation. This tribute to her memory will keep the fundamental principles of her character constantly before the people of Oklahoma. Every citizen who passes this way and looks upon this memorial will be strengthened in the conviction that this State shall be kept worthy of
4320-416: The face." Baker was also the last sculptor to enter the contest having only one month to prepare his model. James Earle Fraser based his almost Impressionistic statue on his favorite aunt, Dora, who was herself a pioneer woman. This model is unique among the ones submitted to the competition, and perhaps in the entire world of Pioneer Women Statues, in that the woman, caught breast feeding her child, exposes
4410-492: The general public in order to decide which model to use for the final statue. Around 1925 Marland sketched out an ambitious sculptural program to sculptor Jo Davidson involving numerous statues based on the theme of the settling of the American West and attempted to persuade Davidson to take it on. When Davidson declined Marland replies that he could pay for it, prompting Davidson to come back with "I don't doubt it for
4500-464: The growth of the oil industry in Ponca City have often overshadowed both the long ancient history of indigenous peoples in the area, and those tribes who were resettled to Oklahoma in the 19th century under Indian Removal . Ponca City is named after the Ponca tribe, part of whom were relocated from Nebraska to northern Oklahoma from 1877 to 1880. Like all of the forced American Indigenous removals of
4590-448: The honor of the pre-eminent part she has taken in shaping the destinies of mankind. The woman has held the objectives gained by the man. She has been the bulwark ever standing between civilization and barbarism. The pioneer woman has played her part in the conquest of nature through all the ages. We cannot evaluate her character without any appreciation of her intelligence. Here was an intelligence that quickly and clearly recognized that
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#17327870391534680-641: The leading city in the area. After the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway had opened a station in Cross, people thought it would not open another in Ponca City because of the two cities' proximity. New Ponca boosters eventually secured a station after offering the Santa Fe station agent two town lots and the free relocation of his house from Cross. Ponca City reportedly obtained its first boxcar station by some Ponca City supporters going to Cross and returning with
4770-482: The median household income was $ 65,556 (with a margin of error of +/- $ 38,298). Females had a median income of $ 27,083 (+/- $ 12,192). The median income for those above 16 years old was $ 38,500 (+/- $ 20,231). Approximately, 15.4% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line , including 33.3% of those under the age of 18 and 25.0% of those ages 65 or over. As of the census of 2010, there were 123 people, 58 households, and 36 families residing in
4860-674: The models and over 120,000 votes were placed. The models were the subject of much discussion at the time, and photographs of them were included in full-page pictorials of both the New York Times and the LA Times . Art critics discussed the merits of one model over another and almost universally lambasting the sunbonnets as "terrible headwear". The models were even the subject of writing assignments for elementary school art classes. The L.A. Times reported that art critic Helen Appleton Read felt that "no adequate tribute had been paid to
4950-564: The museum. On April 23, 2016, the Oklahoma Historical Society and the Friends of the Pioneer Woman Statue and Museum celebrated the opening of the new entrance and lobby at the Pioneer Woman Museum. The statue resides on a 5.5 acres (0.022 km) park. The bronze statue itself stands 17 feet (5.2 m) tall and weighs 12,000 pounds (5,400 kg). It stands on a pyramidal stepped base of granite blocks which brings
5040-443: The name Phillips 66. The Ponca City Refinery, operated by Phillips 66, is the largest refinery in Oklahoma. The Ponca City Refinery processes a mixture of light, medium, and heavy crude oils. Most of the crude oil processed is received by pipeline from Oklahoma , Texas , and Canada . Infrastructure improvements have enabled the delivery of increased volumes of locally produced advantaged crude oil by pipeline and truck. The refinery
5130-521: The period, as well as Art Deco -influenced buildings and homes. The "Roaring '20s" came to an end for Ponca City shortly before the Great Depression . After a successful takeover bid by J.P. Morgan, Jr. , son of financier J.P. Morgan , Marland Oil Co . merged with Continental Oil Co. in the late 1920s. It was known as Conoco for more than 70 years. The company maintained its headquarters in Ponca City until 1949 and continued to grow into
5220-634: The pioneer woman" and that "most of the competitors failed to produce anything monumental". On December 20, 1927, E. W. Marland's son George announced that Bryant Baker's model was selected as the winner. Baker's model received the most votes in 11 cities and Gregory's was the second most popular, being the favorite in three cities. When the tour of the models was over, Baker's Pioneer Woman had won first place, out-balloting John Gregory's effort 42,478 to 37,782. "De Lue set to work in 1928 and 1929, modeling it in Baker's Brooklyn studio, working with Jean La Seure,
5310-421: The population. Of the 10,440 households, 25.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were not families. About 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size
5400-422: The rearing of families, but they were intent that their children should have a chance, that the doors of opportunity should be open to them. It was their insistence which made the schools and the churches. But it is my duty to introduce a product of the pioneer woman of Oklahoma, who has risen high in the councils of the nation—and high in the esteem of the whole country—the Secretary of War, Patrick J. Hurley. In
5490-458: The required three foot tall statuette, but also a plaster version of the entire Pioneer Memorial as he envisioned it, replete with detailed bas-reliefs of western scenes around the base of a massive pedestal and platform, on top of which the pioneer woman "holds her child in the embrace of a Renaissance Madonna." A pair of spirited bison guard the stairs leading up the base. The voting public was not privy to Young's vision and his work showed poorly in
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#17327870391535580-508: The sites where they were exhibited was allowed to vote for their favorite. Marland's original idea was to have a woman in pioneer dress accompanied by a child, and so he provided a sunbonnet to each sculptor. While the artists were not limited to these ideas, nine of the twelve models included a sunbonnet and all save for Jo Davidson's included a child. Both Davidson and Calder visited Oklahoma to gain further inspiration. Mahonri Young's biographer Thomas Toone relates that Young produced not only
5670-530: The state, where they were viewed by 750,000 people, who voted for their favorite. The original submissions have been on display at the museum at Woolaroc near Bartlesville, Oklahoma since the 1930s. Marland sold them to Frank Phillips after losing control of the Marland Oil Company. British-born American sculptor Bryant Baker was chosen as the winner. His full-scale work was unveiled in a public ceremony on April 22, 1930. About 40,000 guests came to hear Will Rogers pay tribute to Oklahoma's pioneers. The statue
5760-457: The statue since the artist himself directed a cleaning a few years after it was erected," said Kathy Dickson, Historical Society museums director. "Where the mortar is still in place, damage is being caused by the type of mortar. Where it is missing, water is accelerating damage - especially in winter as water penetrates the cracks and expands when temperatures dip below freezing." Pledges of $ 75,000 were made by private foundations, individual donors,
5850-491: The statue, secured by a real estate mortgage and arranged by a local banker, resulting in Wentz filing a lawsuit in 1936 to collect on the non-performing loan [see Ada Weekly News , 12 March 1936]. Marland had purchased 2,000 acres on which to place the statue. The area where the statue was erected stands just off of U.S. Route 77, a mile northeast of the center of Ponca City. Baker said the work took years off of his life and he
5940-465: The three great pillars of democratic government are religion, education and the home. She trusted in God and was a firm believer in the efficacy of prayer. The area surrounding the statue has been designated as Pioneer Woman State Park. In 2002 the Pioneer Woman statue underwent renovations, including the repair of a 4-inch crack in the heel of the boy's left boot. "This is the first professional restoration of
6030-403: The total height of the monument to 40 feet (12 m). The statue faces to the southwest, symbolising that the majority of the settlers had come from the northeast. There is a plaque on the first step beneath the statue which reads: this monument was erected by e. w. marland in appreciation of the heroic character of the woman who braved the dangers and endured the hardships incident to
6120-442: The town's station pulled behind them. Cross eventually became defunct, and today, what was once Cross is now a residential district in Ponca City. In 1913, New Ponca changed its name to Ponca City. Ponca City's history and economy has been shaped chiefly by the ebb and flow of the petroleum industry . E. W. Marland , a Pennsylvania oil man, came to Oklahoma and founded the Marland Oil Company , which once controlled about 10% of
6210-413: The traffic signals at 14th St. and at Waverly to match the new lamp posts. Ponca City Regional Airport ( airport code PNC) (1007 feet above mean sea level) is located at the northwest corner of the city at 36°43.84'N and 97°5.99'W. The facility has a 7,201-ft 17-35 runway, which is 150 ft (46 m) wide, and the facility has a full-length taxiway but no tower. The local airport booster club hosts
6300-515: The tribe's allotted land to E.W. Marland in 1911 for oil exploration and development. Since the late 20th century, the Ponca tribe has worked to build its infrastructure and improve services for its people. In February 2006, the tribe received a grant of more than $ 800,000 from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community of Minnesota for debt retirement and economic development. Nearby north-central tribes are
6390-505: The two became Conoco Inc. The Conoco headquarters were in Ponca City until 1949, when they moved to Houston, Texas . In 2002, Conoco Inc . and Phillips Petroleum Company , whose headquarters were in nearby Bartlesville, Oklahoma , merged into ConocoPhillips . In 2012, ConocoPhillips split into two separate companies, with the upstream portion retaining the ConocoPhillips name and the refining and transportation portions taking
6480-629: The winner Bryant Baker. The remainder of the costs were accrued during the tour around the country and arranging the base for the statue. While the vast majority of the project was funded by Marland, his fortunes were on the decline at this time and so he was forced to seek additional funding to complete the project. Some private fundraising helped to defray the final costs and $ 25,000 was supplied by Lew Wentz , Marland's long-time business rival as well as fellow philanthropist of Ponca City. After much private debate and encouragement, Lew Wentz in 1929 loaned money to Marland enabling him to make final payments for
6570-573: The winters, Ponca City has mild to cold temperatures with occasional snowstorms and ice. At the 2010 census , 25,387 people, 10,440 households and 7,019 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,431.0/sq mi (552.5/km ). The 11,950 housing units were at an average density of 655.4/sq mi (253.1/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 84.18% White, 2.99% African American, 6.27% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.08% from other races , and 3.75% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 4.43% of
6660-525: The woman whom this bronze statue commemorates. ... Woman has never been given her just place in history as a pioneer, an educator, a builder, or as a leader. This is probably due to the fact that most of the pages of history are written by men about men. Historians have been so busy with the lives of great sons that they have not stopped to immortalize the mothers who produced them. The characters of men are molded by women. We have reached that period in civilization where we are fair enough to accord to woman
6750-495: The work as being, "inspired by the monumental 'Pioneer Woman' in Ponca City, Okla." Koeling's six foot tall statue depicts the bonneted pioneer woman, carrying a large book/Bible and bundle in her right arm, marching forward with her flatfooted son, whose hand she holds, next to her. Ponca City, Oklahoma Ponca City ( Iowa-Oto : Chína Uhánⁿdhe ) is a city in Kay County in the U.S. state of Oklahoma . The city
6840-595: The work of sustaining life and communities. Ponca City Public Schools serves the general population's education requirements in almost all of the city limits. Ponca City Public Schools serve over 5100 students. Ponca City has currently eight elementary schools to serve the district's pre-K through fifth-grade students: Small sections of the Ponca City city limits are zoned to Kildare Public School . Ponca City has three private schools that serve students from pre-K through eighth grade: The Ponca City region receives electricity generated hydroelectrically at Kaw Lake,
6930-477: The world's oil reserves . He founded the 101 Ranch Oil Company , located on the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch , and drilled his first successful oil well on land he leased in 1911 from the Ponca tribe of American Indians . He was elected in 1932 as a U.S. congressman and in 1934 as governor of Oklahoma. Marland's exploitation of oil reserves generated growth and wealth that were previously unimaginable on
7020-519: Was 1.7 and the average family size was 2.5. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 0.0% of the population. 28.3% of the population was under the age of 18, 3.0% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 102.9 males. The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that
7110-405: Was 2.95. The population was distributed as 26.2% under of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males. The median household income was $ 39,023, and the median family income was $ 38,839. Males had
7200-414: Was 3.03% (3) of the population. Of the 46 households, 34.8% (16 households) had children under the age of 18; 43.5% (20 households) were married couples living together; 32.6% (15 households) had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 28.3% (13 households) consisted of individuals and 17.4% (8 households) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
7290-485: Was 394.4 per square mile (152.3/km ). There were 55 housing units at an average density of 219.1 per square mile (84.6/km ). The racial makeup was 80.81% (80) white or European American (77.78% non-Hispanic white ), 0.0% (0) black or African-American , 0.0% (0) Native American or Alaska Native , 0.0% (0) Asian , 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian , 0.0% (0) from other races , and 19.19% (19) from two or more races . Hispanic or Latino of any race
7380-455: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.90 and the average family size was 2.52. In the city, the population was spread out, with 15.8% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 22.1% from 25 to 44, 30.5% from 45 to 64, and 23.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.1 males. The median income for
7470-441: Was a vital factor in building up this country, and it often was the one indispensable book, recording the facts of the family life, of births, marriages and death and often the only reading material available for mothers to teach their children to read and write in those days." There have been several notable works of sculpture proposed or produced in the years following the unveiling of the Pioneer Woman based on it. The first one
7560-585: Was afraid he would die before completion. On April 16, 1930 it was announced that the statue would be unveiled on April 22, 1930 on the 41st anniversary of the Land Run of 1889 which opened the Oklahoma Territory to settlers. The day was declared a state holiday by the governor and the celebration in Ponca City included a parade, 19-gun salute. An estimated 40,000 people attended the unveiling. The dedication itself began at 1:30 pm central time with
7650-675: Was largely filmed at the Marland Mansion. A film about E. W. Marland was expected to be in production to shoot in Ponca City, titled The Ends of the Earth . The film was to star the Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence , and was originally expected to start in 2014. However, as of May 2023, Internet Movie Database continues to list the movie only as "in development." Several scenes from American Gods (TV series) were shot in Ponca City. Liberty, Kansas Liberty
7740-430: Was named after the Ponca tribe. Ponca City had a population of 24,424 in the 2020 census , down from 25,387 at the time of the 2010 census . Ponca City was created in 1893 as "New Ponca" after the United States opened the Cherokee Outlet for European-American settlement during the Cherokee Strip land run , the largest land run in United States history. The site for Ponca City was selected for its proximity to
7830-488: Was the Kansas Pioneer Woman Memorial. A competition by the Pioneer Women's Memorial association was held and, as in the competition for the Ponca City statue, Bryant Baker was the winner. A Kansas critic at the time pointed out, "There is a striking similarity in the appearance of the two works despite many actual differences." However this version of a Kansas monument was never completed. In 1937
7920-467: Was then the sixth-largest publicly traded oil company in the world, and the third largest in the United States. It maintains a significant presence in its historic home state. Since the company has reduced its workforce and facilities in the city, the population has declined steadily since the early 1990s. In February 2009, ConocoPhillips announced that all of its remaining non refinery operations in Ponca City (representing 750 jobs) would be moved out of
8010-416: Was to be a twenty-five foot figure, which he planned to put up on a hill where it could be seen for miles ... E.W. brought his friends to see what I was doing. He acted as if he was the sculptor, and in conversation would say that he was doing the figure - that I was his hands." At that point Marland sent out invitations to many of America's leading sculptors, offering them each a $ 10,000 honorarium to produce
8100-720: Was to be opened in Bartlesville, Oklahoma . Funded by a private foundation, the Conoco Museum charges no admission fee. In 2012, ConocoPhillips split into two separate companies, with the upstream portion retaining the ConocoPhillips name and the refining and transportation portions taking the name Phillips 66 . Based in Houston , Texas , Phillips 66 continues to operate a 200,000-barrel-per-day refinery. Phillips 66 | Ponca City Refinery in Ponca City. Until recently, European Americans' accounts of their settlement and
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