Ponca City, Oklahoma,"The Palace on the Prairie"
The Marland Mansion
Can you believe that there is a real castle in Oklahoma? I mean really... well we didn't believe it either until we saw it with our own eyes. Man, it was amazing!!! They call it "The Palace on the Prairie" The story of E.W. Marland and his beautiful mansion is so full of intrigue and drama, you will wanna return for more... we did!! We can't stay away!!! We arrived a bit late on this particular day, so we didn't get a personal tour, but if you will be at the Mansion by 1:30, you will get to see and hear it all. It usually cost $10.00 for adults, but as you would imagine, we wiggled our way in for free.. YEP, that's how we broke teachers roll... Look at these amazing pics of Ponca City and hear the scandalous story of E.W. Marland and his second wife... or should I see niece... or maybe even better.... daughter! YES, I SAID DAUGHTER.. HOLD UP!! Did that perk up your brow... well it sure did mine!!!
There are actually two houses that you need to see when you arrive in Ponca City, the Marland House and then the Marland Mansion. Now we would never assume to know what's best in seeing what house you need to view first. You see, we are teachers and summer is our haven and we not only like adventures and food, we also like sleep. So some times we get around late. So we didn't see both houses in one day. Don't judge... WE are broke and lazy in the summertime... that's just how we roll.
Downtown Ponca is a sight unto itself. The beautiful buildings and the antique shopping is our favorite thing to do! You need to check out the Ponca City Mercantile...
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Grand Relics was one of our favorite places.... So fun to look at the past...
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We then left and went to the Mansion...The Palace on the Prairie...As usual, we were on broke teacher time. It closed at 5:00 and we arrived at 4 :15 to see a home and grounds that they say takes a good two hours... welp, we did it anyway... They let us in for free since there wasn't any time really and by golly we took full advantage... and what we saw... It took our breath away!!
I can assure you my mouth dropped open and I walked around in awe, the entire time...
I kept saying, "I can't believe this is in Oklahoma!!"
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It was such a spectacular place... and it's here... in Oklahoma!!!
I know I keep saying that, but hello??
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The entry way was amazing... stair cases that went up and down...
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The bedroom of Lydie (pronounced Li-dee) Marland and the Pink Italian marble mantle... What an interesting lady and what an amazing life she led. You need to google about the Marland Family if you wanna be knocked out of your socks!
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E.W. Marland...the 10th Governor of Oklahoma's bedroom, bathroom, and office. He could stand in his office and look out into the garden at the lovely statue of Lydie.
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This 55 room house was beyond our wildest dreams.
Will Rogers even had one of the rooms named for him.
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From the amazing decor, to the ceiling art (Marla's hair is on point in that one) to the secret poker room from behind the Fox Hunting kitchen where millions of dollars were won and lost, to the secret tunnels under the house, what an amazing time we had exploring!!!
Study up on the history of this amazing family... and be prepared to be shocked by what you read.... SCANDAL on the Prairie....
the video's below show some of the house:
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at the end of the day we stopped at the local favorite Mexican joint "El Patio" It was soo good and we even saw our best friends little sister Shannon Brooke, it was a nice surprise!!!
Pictures and videos don't do it justice, you just gotta see this Palace on the Prairie yourself...trust us!!!
Gotta run, we are off to another adventure....and on a BUDGET. We are teachers after all~~~
Three Broke Teachers!!
The History of the Marland Mansion
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