Centennial Land Run Monument — Attraction in Oklahoma City

The Centennial Land Run Monument is visually and emotionally stunning, standing as one of the world's largest and most ambitious bronze sculptures. As a piece of pure art, it is a triumph; the sheer scale of the 45 figures, frozen in mid-gallop, captures an undeniable, raw energy that makes the chaotic, desperate nature of the 1889 Land Run palpable. The lifelike detail in the horses and the expressions of the settlers truly bring a dramatic, historical moment to life. Located on the serene Bricktown Canal, the monument is a fantastic, free spot for a peaceful walk and breathtaking photos. You can spend an hour wandering the pathway, continually finding new angles and characters in the massive installation.

However, the monument's sheer magnitude also amplifies its greatest shortcoming: the historical narrative it chooses to tell. It celebrates the pioneer spirit without any discernible acknowledgement of the Native American tribes whose lands were taken. The omission feels like a deliberate erasure, making the experience incomplete and, for many, deeply painful. Visitors should approach this site with the full context of Oklahoma's history—not just the story of the settlers, but the dispossession of the Indigenous peoples.

This monument is a must-see for the mastery of its artistry, but it should be viewed as a representation of only one side of a complex and painful history. It serves as a powerful testament to the art of sculpting and a necessary spark for discussion about how we choose to memorialize history.

A note on parking. You'll turn off Reno Ave at the large sign, and proceed through the Bass Pro Shops parking and continue under Oklahoma City Blvd to the South parking lot. The signs say "pay to park" 24/7, but the system was confusing...

These are some really cool detailed statues that is well worth going to see. The only problem was Google took me off of the interstate down some back roads that seem like the maintenance department for the park system in Oklahoma City. Both me and my brother were on our motorcycles and decided to stop and see this. We didn't see anybody else the entire time we was enjoying the little park and as we went to leave we had parked our motorcycles down by the edge of the road that they locked us in. There was a gate with a bar across the road that we could not get out. We couldn't find anybody to help us, so we ended up getting up on the sidewalks with our fully loaded Harley-Davidsons and riding the sidewalk to a parking lot close to a Bass Pro right there. I live in a major tourist destination in that would have never ever happened where I live. Though I never felt unsafe one bit just be leery that there is nobody around or at least not when I was there, so it's definitely opportunity for somebody to be a victim and from what I saw it is not in the very best of probably what Oklahoma City has to offer. I just cannot believe we were locked into that Park if we had of been in a car there would have been no way we could have gotten out and I have no idea who to contact other than the police. But please don't let this experience deter you from seeing this well captured depiction of the great land rush. The details in the statues are phenomenal. And it isn't quite a nice little Park that would be perfect for a picnic. And just look at the very last picture I had posted just the detail on the rabbit getting out of the way. It is a great venue well...

My wife and I are on a cross-country road trip from South Carolina to California, and we stopped for an overnight stay in Oklahoma City. While here, we visited the Centennial Land run Monument. It's in the Bricktown district as part of the Chickasaw Plaza. The monument is actually several statues depicting the great Centennial Land Run of 1889. The statues are very big and well done. A person could spend quite a bit of time studying each sculpture, as each one is quite detailed and "tells the story" of the individual's journey. The combined sculptures are spread throughout the plaza, and a nice walkway allows guests to see each sculpture close up. There are also a few signs that tell about the land run and the historical significance of the event. I wish that we had more time to spend here as well as explore the nearby river walk. It's a nice place to stop,...