Centennial Monument - Ponca City, OK - Community Commemoration on Waymarking.com

County of Statue: Kay County
Location of Statue: 5th St. & Grand Ave., city hall grounds, Ponca City
Artist: Jo Saylors, sculptor
Founder: Loveland Sculpture Works
Contractors: Dane Pryse & Throop Construction

Monument text:
(Front base plaque):

(Rear base plaque): This monument honors those who rode across the prairie to claim a piece of free land. Who knows how long the "Strip" had been the scene of Native American hunting parties? From the early 1800's it was designated as an outlet to hunting grounds in the west for the Cherokee nation. In 1891, the Federal Government purchased the outlet from the Cherokees. Then, at high noon on September 16, 1893, one hundred thousand people seeking free land raced across its borders. One participant is depicted by this bronze. He represents a young homesteader seeking a secure future for his family.

This participant in the biggest horse race in history is running for a future for his young family. As he jumps from his horse with a stake in hand he realizes that he has found it.

Proper Description: "Equestrian statue depicts a male figure preparing to stake a claim. The horse is rearing up on its hind legs and the figure, claim stake in proper left hand, appears ready to dismount quickly to drive the stake into the ground. The figure wears a wide-brimmed hat, vest, long-sleeved shirt and trousers tucked into boots. There is a bed roll and an axe strapped to the saddle. The base is rectangular." ~ Smithsonian American Art Museum

Remarks: "Commissioned by Ponca City's Last Land Run Foundation, the sculpture commemorates the Cherokee Strip Land Run of 1893. The original name was "This Land Is Mine," but it was dropped after protests by Native-American groups." ~ Smithsonian American Art Museum

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