| Pawhuska
, capital of the Osage Nation, attributes much of it's rich history
and culture to the Osage tribe. The origins of the tribe date back
to the Ice Age, though their link with Pawhuska began in 1871 when
they bought this land back from the Cherokees.
As perpetual owners of the mineral rights in the county, the Osage
Indians became the richest people per capita in the world during
the "Oil Boom" of the 1920's. Their fascinating history
is chronicled in the Osage Tribal Museum, the oldest continually
operating tribal museum in the United States.
Hear about Wild West outlaws such as Jesse James, Belle Starr,
and Bill Doolin who hid out in the hills around Pawhuska (Bob Dalton
was even the Osage Police Chief!) Many other famous people have
had ties to Pawhuska: Herbert Hoover, Tom Mix, Clark Gable, Bob
Wills, Ben Johnson, and more. Oil Barons such as Frank Phillips
and Jean Paul Getty sat under the "Million Dollar Elm"
in Pawhuska to bid for the Osage oil leases which helped make their
fortunes. Or, would you believe that the first Boy Scout troop was
founded in Pawhuska? (They camped out at Buckingham Palace and danced
for the Queen!) These wild stories are all true; visit the Osage
County Museum for information on these stories and more
Approaches:
BY CAR: From Tulsa, north 25 miles on US 75 Expressway to
Bartlesville, west 24 miles on US 60; From I-35 Ponca City Exit,
east 56 miles on US 60; From Cimarron Turnpike, Hallett exit, North
39 miles on SH 99.
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The
Downtown Historic District
The historic district in Pawhuska is comprised of 98 buildings,
86 of which are listed on the National Register of Historic
Places. These two and three-story brick structures, along
with a five-story triangle building, provide an impressive
tribute to days gone by. |
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The
Osage County Historical Museum
One of the three museums in and around Pawhuska, the Osage
County Historical Museum is housed in the historic Santa Fe
Depot built in 1922. The museum features exhibits on Indian,
pioneer, oil heritage, Boy Scouts and western heritage. Most
notably, memorabilia and the history of the first U.S. Boy
Scout troop founded in Pawhuska are on exhibit.
Other points of interest located on the museum grounds include
two rail cars actually used by the Santa Fe Railroad between
Kansas and Pawhuska, two gazebos ( one 1890), and a restored
one room school house (Edith Layton School House).
Hours: Monday through Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday and Sunday, 12pm - 5pm
Admission to the museum is free.
Air Conditioned and Wheel Chair Ramps
700 North Lynn Avenue ( One block north of
the only stop light on Main Street - US Hiway 60)
(918) 287-9924
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Boy
Scout Monument
The first boy scout troop in America was organized in Pawhuska,
Osage County, Oklahoma, in May, 1909, by Reverend John F.
Mitchell, a missionary priest from England sent to St. Thomas
Episcopal Church, by the Church of England. Rev. Mitchell,
who had been associated in scout work with Lord Baden-Powell
in England, organized the troop of Boy Scouts under English
charter, and equipped them with English uniforms and manuals.
A life-sized bronze statue stands as a monument in front of
the Osage County Historical Museum to honor Reverend Mitchell
and the 19 charter members who were organized under English
charter.
Pawhuska's troop had the honor of being Troop No. 1 in the
Boys Scouts of America, and has the certificate on exhibit
in the Historical Museum in the Scout Room. When the Cherokee
Area Council of Boy Scouts was formed in Bartlesville, Pawhuska
was numbered Troop 33. This Troop No. 33 is a continuance
of the original first Boy Scout troop in America.
Museum Hours: Monday through Friday 9am -
5pm
Saturday and Sunday, 12pm - 5pm
Admission to the museum is free.
Air Conditioned and Wheel Chair Ramps
700 North Lynn Avenue ( One block north of the only stop light
on Main Street - US Hiway 60)
(918) 287-9924
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The
Osage Tribal Museum
Pawhuska, in addition to being the capitol of the Osage Indian
Nation, is also proud to have the Osage Tribal Museum. Along
with the grand murals in the Osage Tribe, the Osage Tribal
Museum preserves the culture of the Osage Tribe via displays,
lectures, crafts and a library. Notable exhibits include the
famous Black Dog Shield and a photograph exhibit numbering
over 2,000.
The museum is the oldest continually operated tribal museum
in the United States.
The Osage Tribal Museum is open Monday through
Friday from 10am - 4pm.
(918) 287-2495
819 Grandview
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The
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
This church is known widely as the "Cathedral of the
Osage". Special permission from the Vatican had to be
granted to depict living tribal members in the glorious stained
glass that was crafted in Munich, Germany in 1919. The two
largest windows show scenes significant to the Osage. One
shows Columbus meeting a party of Indians and the other shows
prominent Osage of the era gathered around the black cassocked
Rev. Schoenmakers.
Group tours may be arranged through the church.
Contact Father Higgins at (918) 287-1414.
1314 N Lynn
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The
Blacksmith House
Built in 1871, this 5 room house with native timbers and 18"
thick sandstone walls was the first to be built in Pawhuska.
When the Osage were moved from Kansas, Sid Delarue, a Swiss
blacksmith, was promised the house if he would come to care
for their horses.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, May 7,
1979, the house was acquired by donation from the First National
Bank to the Pawhuska Community Foundation.
222 West Main, next door to the Osage Tribal Tourism/Visitor Center |
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