Western Heritage

Northeast Oklahoma’s western heritage began long before statehood; many of the images and stories of those days are stored in the museums and historic attractions of Green Country.  From rodeos to guest ranches and western art museums, Green Country is an epicenter of cowboy and western heritage.

Step back in time and attend the annual Pawnee Bill Wild West Show featuring trick riders and ropers, feats of great equestrian skill and a celebration of the Old West. Explore the Pawnee Bill Ranch any time of year to get a feel for how this great showman of days gone by lived. Or visit the grounds of the former 101 Ranch in Ponca City, home to another celebrated Old West touring show which often featured Tom Mix, a great film cowboy of the day. You can learn even more about this silent movie icon at the Tom Mix Museum in Dewey where he once served as town marshal before entering show business.  

Visit museums like Woolaroc filled with western art and artifacts, tour historic sites associated with our western heritage like the Fort Gibson Historic Site or just enjoy a few drinks in a local bar where you might find a working cowboy on the next stool. Whatever you choose to do, you're sure to feel the influence our western heritage in Green Country Oklahoma!