Comments on: Travel Expert Rick Steves Coming to Oklahoma http://kosu.org/2012/02/travel-expert-rick-steves-coming-to-oklahoma/ The State's Public Radio Mon, 13 May 2013 04:05:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Andy Barrett http://kosu.org/2012/02/travel-expert-rick-steves-coming-to-oklahoma/comment-page-1/#comment-122157 Andy Barrett Tue, 28 Feb 2012 22:09:24 +0000 http://kosu.org/?p=106371#comment-122157 To experience the "true Native America" of Oklahoma a trip would not be complete without a visit to Watonga, Oklahoma, the heart of the Cheyenne & Arapaho territory. Watonga was founded upon the opening of the Cheyenne & Araphoe territory after the land run of 1892. Points of interest include the T.B. Ferguson home (Oklahoma's 6th Territorial Gov. and the founder of the oldest continuously published newspaper in OK). Pulitzer Prize winning author Edna Ferber researched her award winning novel, Cimarron, while staying as a guest with Mrs. Ferguson in the late 1920's. Other points of interest include Roman Nose State Park with its newly rennovated lodge, abundant history and unique geological formations. And a trip to Watonga is not complete without a tasting of our world famous Watonga Cheese and a visit to our local Whirlwind Winery. These are just a few of the sites to experience in Watonga. We would welcome Steve's visit and would be glad to put him up for the night at our local B&B's. I think Steve needs to consider 20 cities in Oklahoma alone!!!! To experience the "true Native America" of Oklahoma a trip would not be complete without a visit to Watonga, Oklahoma, the heart of the Cheyenne & Arapaho territory. Watonga was founded upon the opening of the Cheyenne & Araphoe territory after the land run of 1892. Points of interest include the T.B. Ferguson home (Oklahoma's 6th Territorial Gov. and the founder of the oldest continuously published newspaper in OK). Pulitzer Prize winning author Edna Ferber researched her award winning novel, Cimarron, while staying as a guest with Mrs. Ferguson in the late 1920's. Other points of interest include Roman Nose State Park with its newly rennovated lodge, abundant history and unique geological formations. And a trip to Watonga is not complete without a tasting of our world famous Watonga Cheese and a visit to our local Whirlwind Winery. These are just a few of the sites to experience in Watonga. We would welcome Steve's visit and would be glad to put him up for the night at our local B&B's. I think Steve needs to consider 20 cities in Oklahoma alone!!!!

]]> By: X-tina http://kosu.org/2012/02/travel-expert-rick-steves-coming-to-oklahoma/comment-page-1/#comment-122155 X-tina Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:31:00 +0000 http://kosu.org/?p=106371#comment-122155 The history of Ponca City is AMAZING. Beginning with the relocation of six Native American Tribes to the area in the late 19th century - Ponca, Tonkawa, Kaw, Otoe-Missouria, Pawnee and Osage. The very first Native Ameirican human rights activist, Standing Bear, a Ponca leader, took the US government to court and won his case here in Ponca City and we have a park and education center dedicated to him and the rich Native American culture here. Ponca City was open to white settlers by the run of 1893 and was essentially formed by a charlatan who sold chances on lots of land he didn't own yet. That man B.S. Barnes later became the first mayor! The wild west was truly wild in Ponca City with the number of huge ranches in the area, the largest being the Miller Bros. 101 Ranch, which also had the longest running wild West Show. To further the investment in entertainment, the Miller Bros. started a movie production company in the early teens and the VERY FIRST western film was made at the 101 Ranch on the outskirts of Ponca City. In fact, the first major western movie stars were ranch hands at the ranch or performers from the Wild West Show - Tom Mix, Hoot Gibson, Buck Jones, Jack Moxie and Texas Guinan to name a few. Will Rogers worked at the ranch as a young man where he started his rope trick skills. In the 30s Frank and John Capone investigated the ranch as an investment for their brother Al. The discovery of oil made Ponca City boom in the very early 20th century. Of the 100 richest men in the US in the 00s, teens and 20s, 12 of them lived in Ponca City. E.W. Marland formed the Marland Oil Co. here , which later became Conoco. He built 2 estates, both of which are now open as museum-historic homes. Recently, the Conoco Museum opened here which traces the history of the oil business in this region. In 1927, historic Poncan Theatre was finished and opened as a movie and vaudeville palace. Will Rogers performed there many times and would stay with different friends while he was in town. In 1993, the theater was completely renovated and restored and is a perfamnce space again. It also houses the largest collection of hand painted lobby art in the world. This collection is from 1931-37 and is a great depiction of the movie industry during the depression. If one wants to have the BEST barbeque EVER, then Head Country BBQ Restaurant is the place! It features Head Country BBQ sauce which is manufactured here in Ponca City using the original recipe developed in 1947 by Bud Head. Tours of the plant are available and believe me when you taste the sauce you will never want another kind again! OK, I'm done telling you about my home. The history of Ponca City is AMAZING. Beginning with the relocation of six Native American Tribes to the area in the late 19th century – Ponca, Tonkawa, Kaw, Otoe-Missouria, Pawnee and Osage. The very first Native Ameirican human rights activist, Standing Bear, a Ponca leader, took the US government to court and won his case here in Ponca City and we have a park and education center dedicated to him and the rich Native American culture here.

Ponca City was open to white settlers by the run of 1893 and was essentially formed by a charlatan who sold chances on lots of land he didn't own yet. That man B.S. Barnes later became the first mayor! The wild west was truly wild in Ponca City with the number of huge ranches in the area, the largest being the Miller Bros. 101 Ranch, which also had the longest running wild West Show. To further the investment in entertainment, the Miller Bros. started a movie production company in the early teens and the VERY FIRST western film was made at the 101 Ranch on the outskirts of Ponca City. In fact, the first major western movie stars were ranch hands at the ranch or performers from the Wild West Show – Tom Mix, Hoot Gibson, Buck Jones, Jack Moxie and Texas Guinan to name a few. Will Rogers worked at the ranch as a young man where he started his rope trick skills. In the 30s Frank and John Capone investigated the ranch as an investment for their brother Al.

The discovery of oil made Ponca City boom in the very early 20th century. Of the 100 richest men in the US in the 00s, teens and 20s, 12 of them lived in Ponca City. E.W. Marland formed the Marland Oil Co. here , which later became Conoco. He built 2 estates, both of which are now open as museum-historic homes. Recently, the Conoco Museum opened here which traces the history of the oil business in this region.

In 1927, historic Poncan Theatre was finished and opened as a movie and vaudeville palace. Will Rogers performed there many times and would stay with different friends while he was in town. In 1993, the theater was completely renovated and restored and is a perfamnce space again. It also houses the largest collection of hand painted lobby art in the world. This collection is from 1931-37 and is a great depiction of the movie industry during the depression.

If one wants to have the BEST barbeque EVER, then Head Country BBQ Restaurant is the place! It features Head Country BBQ sauce which is manufactured here in Ponca City using the original recipe developed in 1947 by Bud Head. Tours of the plant are available and believe me when you taste the sauce you will never want another kind again!

OK, I'm done telling you about my home.

]]> By: A Greer http://kosu.org/2012/02/travel-expert-rick-steves-coming-to-oklahoma/comment-page-1/#comment-122154 A Greer Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:46:19 +0000 http://kosu.org/?p=106371#comment-122154 Frederick, for the historic Ramona Theatre, Hackberry Flat Wetland for the restoration of migratory bird habitat. And there's always the Wichita Wildlife Refuge and nearby Meers for a Meers burger. Frederick, for the historic Ramona Theatre, Hackberry Flat Wetland for the restoration of migratory bird habitat. And there's always the Wichita Wildlife Refuge and nearby Meers for a Meers burger.

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