Hire a Ponca City Historical Reenactor for Your Next Event

Ponca City Main Street makes available reenactments of early day Ponca City persons of interest that were paramount in the city’s history. These colorful characters add personality to an event by presenting their story and that of their place in the founding of the community.

Group presentation (5 reenactors) approximately 1 hour in length. Individual reenactments vary from 10 to 15 minutes each.

To schedule the reenactors as a group or individually call Phil Bandy at 762-1254.


Actors in the photo are left to right: Lyde Marland, BS Barnes, EW Marland, Zack Miller and Lew Wentz.

Descriptions:
BS Barnes (circa 1895)
First mayor and city founder
Made the Land Run of 1893 to claim the square mile city

Zack Miller (circa 1915)
One of the 3 Miller Brothers of the world famous 101 Ranch and Wild West Show
Other brothers were Joe and George

Lyde Marland (circa 1935)
Daughter and then wife of EW Marland

EW Marland (circa 1935)
Founder of Marland Oil CO. which later became Conoco Oil Co.
US Representative to Congress and 10th Governor of the State of Oklahoma.

Lew Wentz (circa 1935)
Oil baron and philanthroper
Built Wentz Camp and Pool
 

Downtown Murals

101 Ranch Mural

(click on images to enlarge)
These photos are of a ceremony where the descendents of Chief White Eagle (grandchildren) gave a blanket to the artist Dr. Bob Palmer and a shawl to Jayne Detten PCMS director, as a token of appreciation for their ancestor/culture being included in the mural scene. The group shot shows the descendents, Dr Palmer, Jayne and members of the 101 Ranch Old Timers Assoc. who did research for the design of the mural and Rep. Ken Luttrell who came for the ceremony.

Santa Fe Depot and Train Mural

(click on images to enlarge)
The mural depicts the 1920’s era Ponca City Depot with train and persons that rode the train often and/or worked at the depot site. Left to right: George Marland (E.W. Marland’s adopted son), E. W. Marland (founder of Marland Oil which later became Conoco Oil Co.), his wife Lyde Marland, a luggage boy and various railroad employees. Also included in the mural are train cars “The Ponca City” (E. W. Marland’s personal business car), a 101 Ranch office car and a locomotive steam engine.

Arcade Mural

(click on images to enlarge)
The mural depicts the 1920’s era hotel and persons that stayed in the hotel or frequently visited there. Left to right: E.W. Marland (founder of Marland Oil), wife Lyde Marland, Will Rogers (cowboy entertainer and humorist), the Miller Brothers - Zack, George and Joe (founders of the 101 Ranch and Wild West Show), local children Freddie Boettcher and Polly Vanselous Edwards (of the Big “V” Ranch Family ), and Lew Wentz (oil baron and philanthropist). Also included in the mural are vintage cars of the era. Left to right: A Buick convertible (EW Marland’s personal car), a Marland Oil delivery truck, a La Salle, and a Pierce Arrow (Lew Wentz’s personal car).

Explanation of Proposed Street Scape Plan

Elements of Design:

Sidewalks - new concrete with 2 foot wide brick edging along curbing

Advantages:

1. Eliminates bumps, cracks, uneven sections, chips and holes which are now a hazard

2. Brick adds design element reminiscent of past brick street down Grand Avenue (recycle street bricks)

3. Enhances handicapped accessibility

Brick Edging - 2 foot wide running along curbing and around planting areas

Advantages:

1.  Provides easy access to electric lines and/or water lines buried beneath for maintenance

2. Design element in keeping with downtown period design

3. Recycle old Ponca City street bricks

Lamp Posts - repaint existing bases to match (or replace with new posts if necessary)

Advantages:

1.  Cost savings with recycling

2.  Preserving existing history and structure

3.  Gain period feel and charm

Planting Beds (on corners) - low and simple with curbing and brick work surrounding

Advantages:

1. Easier maintenance

2. Less breakage by vehicles running into and over edges

3. Irrigation assistance for Parks Dept.

4. Use repeating design for continuity and structure

Landscaping - continue as is now by Parks Dept., bury water irrigation line/sprinkler system below brick work

Advantages:

1. Retain existing trees if possible

2. Tree grates for care and maintenance

3. Use "smart" downtown plantings

4. Keep it simple, low profile
    

Later Donations Not Included in Present 2007 Streetscape Design Plan

Banners - add banner hardware and new "pro" Ponca City banners to lamp posts

Advantages:

1. Adds visual advertising/marketing design element

2. Can change with event or season

3. Nostalgic

Granite Markers - retain already existing

Advantages:

1. High quality and attractive

2. Identifies PC history

3. In keeping with over all design

Benches - COMPLETED!

Advantages:

1. Resting place

2. Encourages pedestrians to stay and linger

3. Attractive

Trash Receptacles  - COMPLETED!

Advantages:

1. Ease of clean up by volunteers and pedestrians

2. User friendly
    

Copyright © Ponca City Main Street - All Rights Reserved. 
Photos used throughout this are courtesy of Ponca City News.