E. W. Marland Mansion

Nestled in the heart of Ponca City, Oklahoma, the E.W. Marland Mansion stands as a testament to opulence and architectural grandeur from the roaring 1920s. Known affectionately as the Palace on the Prairie, this 43,561 square feet Mediterranean Revival-style mansion offers visitors a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of its original owner, oil baron and philanthropist Ernest Whitworth (E.W.) Marland. Constructed between 1925 and 1928, the mansion is not just a house but a historical landmark, designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1973, and now serves as a museum open to the public.

The Architectural Marvel

The Marland Mansion, designed by the eminent Tulsa architect John Duncan Forsyth, is a marvel of Mediterranean Revival architecture, inspired by the Palazzo Davanzati in Florence, Italy. The mansion’s construction utilized light-colored, rusticated limestone blocks quarried on-site, which gives it a distinctive and majestic appearance. The roughly U-shaped layout of the mansion measures 78 feet wide and 184 feet long, with the main entrance on the west front featuring an arched and buttressed porte-cochère. This entrance is adorned with custom-made 11-panel double wood doors from New York, and under each corner of the porte-cochère are sculptures of Marland's four hunting dogs, masterfully carved by Italian sculptor Ernest G. Pellegrini.

The mansion's windows, with their black painted metal surrounds, create a striking contrast against the light-colored stone. The first-level windows are embellished with wrought iron grill work, while those on the second level are smaller or feature wrought iron balconies. Raised terraces on the north, south, and east fronts add to the mansion's grandeur, each with unique features. The south front, for instance, boasts triple arched windows with stone balconies and flower-carved corbels, while the north front continues the arcaded effect with a set of three arched doorways and a stone cantilevered staircase leading to a second-floor balcony adjacent to E.W. Marland's quarters.

Exploring the Interior

The interior of the Marland Mansion is as impressive as its exterior, spread over three floors and comprising 55 rooms, including 10 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, 7 fireplaces, and 3 kitchens. The entrance hall, located on the second floor due to the mansion being built on a hill, is defined by a large stone arch flanked by lower rectangular openings. A grand stairway leads down to the first level, where the Hall of Merriment is located. This hall is named for its whimsical carvings of men representing Eat, drink and be merry, and is now home to the Carl and Carolyn Renfro Gallery, featuring replicas of the twelve statues entered in a competition to depict the Pioneer Woman.

The first floor also houses the service area, including the main kitchen, staff dining room, and pantry. Originally a handball court, the area now serves as administrative offices and the National Petroleum Hall of Fame. The eastern side of the house features two lounges—the Winter Room and the Summer Room. The Winter Room, with its large fireplace and hidden panic room, has a ceiling adorned with artwork tracing the history of Oklahoma. The Summer Room, with its ceilings designed and painted by Vincent Maragliotti, pays homage to the spirit of the 1920s.

The Principal Rooms

The second floor hosts the principal rooms, including the Elizabethan formal dining room with its hand-cut pollard oak wall panels and a cast plaster barrel ceiling. Adjacent to the dining room is a small octagonal-shaped breakfast room with plaster work representing the Tree of Life. The ballroom, accessible via a curved double staircase, features an ornate coffered ceiling gilded in gold leaf and lit by imported Waterford crystal chandeliers. The ballroom's north wall is adorned with family portraits surrounding a large fireplace, adding to the room's regal ambiance.

The Family's Private Quarters

The third floor, dedicated to the family's private quarters, includes E.W. Marland's wood-paneled bedroom, done in the English Tudor-style, and featuring a carved wood mantel with images of Marland's favorite polo mounts. The connecting bathroom boasts an electric sauna, one of the first in the United States. The library, Marland's private study, served as the headquarters for his gubernatorial campaign and features bookshelves topped with giant seashell designs, replicas of those in the Oval Office. Lydie Marland's Louis XV-style bedroom is lined with imported lime-wood hand-carved panels and an Italian pink marble fireplace. The third floor also includes several guest suites, including one named after Will Rogers, who is believed to have stayed during his visits.

The Grounds

The mansion's grounds span 30 acres of gardens, lakes, and ancillary buildings. Notable structures include Lydie's Cottage, originally the chauffeur's quarters, and the Artist Studio, built for Jo Davidson. The cottage, remodeled by Forsyth, now contains the Marland Family Exhibit, showcasing photos and artifacts from the family's history in Pennsylvania and Oklahoma. The Artist Studio features a two-story peaked roof structure with one-story galleries and an arched walkway, adding to the estate's charm.

Visiting the E.W. Marland Mansion is like stepping back in time to an era of grandeur and elegance. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an architecture aficionado, or simply looking for a unique experience, the Marland Mansion promises to captivate and inspire. Its walls echo the stories of a bygone era, making it an unmissable attraction in Ponca City, Oklahoma.