Pioneer Woman — Attraction in Ponca City

I grew up playing on her shoes and skirt- later realizing when looking up, the expression of courage and determination on her proud face as she forged ahead - alone with her Bible in one hand and her child in the other hand! This statue was commissioned by EW Marland, billionaire founder of Conoco in 1930. He was questioned why a pioneer woman and not a huge Indian statue, since Indians were disappearing. He thought pioneer women were more quickly disappearing. This statue won the national contest and was commissioned by Marland to be sculpted and presented to the great state of Oklshoma. He strategically placed it down it could be visible from his bedroom and other rooms inside his estate mansion, created by artisans from Italy and included sections reminiscent of the Vatican in Rome. My mother, Bette Lee, proudly served as one of the first proud docents of the acclaimed Marland Msnsion and its grounds and buildings on days it was open to the public for tours. If time allows, plan to visit the nearby Marland Msndion, after climbing around this world acclaimed statue by...

This place is a treasure chest of antiques. The antiques were displayed very methodically and orderly. The museum keepers were very informative with historical information. They were very helpful with directions and other places to see in Ponca City, OK. We are looking forward to our next day trip to see the abundance of historical sites. And pieces of history that contributed to the petroleum industry and how the native Americans played a part in the...

Donated to the state by oil tycoon E.W. Marland in 1930. Marland was descended from pioneers to the area. He chose the statue by offering $10,000 to leading American sculptors of the time, if they produced a model of their proposed statue. The model statues of the applicants were toured in 11 cities across the country. Marland spent about $350,000 on the...