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Ponca City, Oklahoma

Marland's favorite sculptor was Jo Davidson. He designed one of the models for the Pioneer Woman. He also sculpted the three Marland family statues, all of French limestone. Prior to the sale of the mansion, they all stood on the estate grounds. When the monks bought the property, they wanted only religious symbols on the grounds, so all three of the statues were removed and put in crates.

In 1951, Mr. Marland's statue was placed downtown on the lawn of the Civic Center, a gift to the city from Lydie. The statue of George was placed in the backyard of a close friend, and covered with straw. When the city purchased the mansion, George's statue was returned to its original location, in the circle of the hedges near the mansion's front door. It has now been placed inside.

The statue of Lydie originally stood on the north vista.George and Lydie It was visible from the breakfast room doors. When the monks removed the statue, it stayed in the crate next to Lydie's cottage for several years. In the early 1950's, when she was preparing to leave town, she paid a man to take it away and destroy it. She died thinking he had followed those instructions. After her death in 1987, and after the death of the man she had paid to destroy the statue, the mansion received a letter from one of his family members. It said the man had not destroyed the statue. He hadn't been able to bring himself to do that, so he buried it. After a long search, it was located. It was in 760 pieces, but was put back together and restored by a local monument company. Lydie's statue now stands in the lobby of the mansion.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Cann Memorial Garden Center

A pathway winds under a wisteria arbor around a lily pond and through spectacular color- coordinated beds of perennials, herbs and annuals in this peaceful botanical garden. The gardens were donated to the City of Ponca City by Elsie Cann Brown, daughter of L. A. and Mary Cann in August 1975.

Ponca City, OK Gardens

Marland Estate Mansion

Marland modeled his dream home after the Davanzati Palace in Florence, Italy. Breathtakingly beautiful, this "Palace on the Prairie"

Ponca City, OK Museums

Ponca City Art Center

The stately Soldani Mansion, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a work of art in itself, is home to the Ponca City Art Center and its many activities. These include artists' exhibits, art classes, workshops and the annual Fine Arts Festival.

Ponca City, OK Arts

Pioneer Woman Museum & Statue

The Pioneer Woman Statue was commissioned by E. W. Marland. This 17 foot bronze is on the National Register of Historic Places. The newly expanded museum features exhibits of women who have made outstanding "pioneering"

Ponca City, OK Arts

101 Ranch Memorial

101 Ranch - A National Historic Landmark, this picnic area commemorates the 101 Ranch which was home to the hundreds of participants in the famous 101 Wild West Show. This show, which traveled throughout the world in the 1920

Ponca City, OK Memorials

Things to do near Ponca City, OK

Lake Optima and Area Hunting

In addition to the 7700 acres of hunting provided around Optima Lake, Texas county draws many hunters throughout various seas...

Heritage Manor Bed & Breakfast Inn

This historic home is the creative product of A.J. and Carolyn Rexroat. They patiently and meticulously gathered original woo...