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Additional News &
Information
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| Welcome to Ponca City, Oklahoma |
Immerse yourself in our history
Ponca City was created in true Oklahoma fashion during the land runs of
the late 1800's. On September 16, 1893, homesteaders lined up for a race
to claim one of the 160-acre farm sites in the area surrounding what
became Ponca City.
Early in the spring of 1893, B. S. Barnes, having heard that the
Cherokee Strip was to be opened for settlement, headed for Arkansas City
with the hope of building a new city in this frontier area. Barnes had
sold his furniture manufacturing plant in Adrian, Michigan, desiring to
make his fortune on "The Strip."
After driving for many days, with a team and buggy, over what is now
referred to as the counties of Kay, Grant, Garfield, and Noble, he
observed a wagon road in Kay County, that ran from Arkansas City
southward and crossed the Arkansas river at a point one mile south of
the present Arkansas river bridge near Ponca City. The B & M ford was
located at this point, and had been used for years as a buggy and wagon
crossing. About a mile northeast of the ford on the same wagon road, was
a spring.
The fact that the spring was a good water source and was located on the
main road to the Osage County, caused Barnes to decide that near this
point was the logical site for his contemplated city. Barnes went back
to Arkansas City to announce the location of the new city and to
organize the Ponca Townsite Company.
On September 21st, four days after the Oklahoma Land Run, surveyors
completed surveying the selected section of land into streets and lots,
and the lot drawing began. And such was the beginning of Ponca City!
Certificates for lots in Ponca City were sold by the Ponca Townsite
Company for $2 each and each certificate was good for either one
business lot or one residential lot. Over 2,300 certificates were sold.
A little girl drew the cards from a box placed on Grand Avenue between
3rd and 4th streets. From these drawings attendants recorded the
certificate owners' names and lot selections in large bound books. This
is believed to be the first instance of a new city being started with a
town lot drawing. It took two days to complete the drawings and Ponca
City was born.
(Adapted in part from "The Last Run," written by the Ponca City Chapter
of the DAR.)
Ponca City is also know for oil, and with oil came money. Money that
left its indelible mark on our community -- beautiful golf courses, posh
hotels, lavish homes, rich gardens, a grand theatre -- an elegant legacy
upon which our citizens today continue to build.
Visit Ponca City Today |
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