Oklahoma was the 46th state to join the Union, nearly 120 years after the first thirteen states ratified the Constitution. Even though Oklahoma was one of the last states to become part of the U.S., that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t deserve it’s share of fame. Long past are the days of cowboys and Indians, […]
Tag: Oklahoma
Native America and a Civil War Tale: The Fascinating Story of Indian City in Anadarko, Oklahoma
Indian City, USA was founded on the very site of the massacre of the Tonkawa Indians by the Shawnees and other mercenaries during the Civil War. Due to their loyalty to the Confederacy, the tribe was nearly exterminated by pro-Union Indians. In October of 1862, warriors from the Delaware, Shawnee, and Caddo tribes united to […]
Buried treasure in Oklahoma: The Strange Tale of Standing Rock
The Tale of Standing Rock Treasure From buried Spanish gold to ill-gotten gains of outlaw loot, Oklahoma has a fantastic history of producing treasure tales. Some of these stories border on the absurd, while others are deeply rooted in historical fact. The tale of Standing Rock contains a bit of flavor from both. On one […]
The man behind the Thomas Gilcrease Museum: The Savior of Western Art
Lady Luck was smiling down on Thomas Gilcrease the day that the Indian Territories were formally dissolved. A series of fortunate events lead this humble man to become one of the wealthiest millionaires in the country. Of course, wealth doesn’t come from luck alone, but requires hard work and dedication. Thomas Gilcrease was a stranger […]
The Ghosts of Ft. Washita, Oklahoma: A Civil War Haunting Ground
Tonight would change her life – for eternity. The azure moon hung low over Ft. Washita, its crescent shape casting faded shadows that snaked across the lawn like a wraith. Crouching in the shadows, she scanned the Fort for Confederate soldiers. Besides a couple guards posted at the guardhouse, the grounds were empty. The officers’ […]
Showmen’s Rest: The Legendary Circus City in Hugo, Oklahoma
The Day the Music Died The clowns no longer laugh, the acrobats no longer soar, and the musicians no longer play. All is quiet under the big top, and yet, in immortal life, the circus lives on. In Hugo, Oklahoma, in a place known as Showman’s Rest, the bones of great legendary circus performers lie […]
Tulsa Traveler: 12 “Must See” Landmarks in Tulsa
Tulsa Landmarks: 12 Places to Visit In Tulsa While there are hundreds of Tulsa Landmarks that could be included on this page, only the best have been listed. With a wealth of history and a past full of extraordinary men, Tulsa was destined to be a leader among cities. It is one of the few […]
Frank Lloyd Wright in Oklahoma: The Price Tower
The Realization of a Dream The Price Tower in Bartlesville, Oklahoma is the realization of a dream for famed architect and designer Frank Lloyd Wright. First conceived in the mid-twenties, it would take nearly thirty years before Wright would have a chance to build his first and only skyscraper. Frank Lloyd Wright was a visionary. […]
Philbrook Museum of Art: An Architectural Masterpiece
Tulsa’s Philbrook Museum of Art: A mastery of Design The mastery of architecture in Tulsa takes no greater form than in Villa Philbrook. This mastery can be seen in every small detail; from the sweeping lines of the grand vestibule to the highly stylized chimera scattered throughout the villa. Highly ornate columns straddle the upstairs […]
Oklahoma Civil War Naval Battle: Recovering the J.R. Williams
Oklahoma’s Civil War Naval Battle In 1862, the Union Navy confiscated the J.R. Williams under the premise that the steamboat was being used to carry military contraband into the Confederate ports. After the Union Navy took possession of the J. R. Williams, the steam-wheeler was sent to Cairo, Illinois, for outfitting as a supply boat […]