Centennial Land Run Monument Project

Centennial Land Run Monument Project. . , (tablet 1) , This monument commemorating the Oklahoma Land Run of 1889 was almost 25 years in the making. The tireless efforts of several visionary Oklahomans, generous contributions from a trio of initial donors, and extensive funding support from the City of Oklahoma City, the Federal Government, and the State of Oklahoma have ultimately resulted in a monumental bronze sculpture unlike any other in the world., The concept of a land run monument originated in 1982 when long time Oklahoma City Chamber leader Ray Ackerman and Chamber staff member Stanley Draper, Jr., suggested that a significant and permanent landmark commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Land Run of 1889 be undertaken. The multi-piece sculpture was to be part of a 1989 World's Fair being planned for Oklahoma City. When preparations for the World's Fair were discontinued, consideration of a land run monument was also set aside., In 1999, Lee Allan Smith , another well-known Chamber and civic leader , renewed interest in the monument, but this time as a keystone element of the 2007 Oklahoma Centennial Commemoration of Statehood. Smith contacted the prestigious Oklahoma artist Paul Moore, who had completed a number of earlier sculpture commissions for Smith. Smith asked Moore to create a clay model depicting the energy, chaos and emotions of the opening moments of the run. Smith's presentations and Moore's maquette won unanimous support for the project at an annual Chamber retreat., (tablet 2) , Having obtained the support of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, Smith soon secured seed funding from the Kerr-McGee Corporation, Luke Corbet, CEO; LaDonna and Herman Minders; and Edward L. and Thelma Gaylord, of the Oklahoma Publishing Company. These early donations were vital in getting the project underway., Smith then approached Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphries and City Manager Glen Deck, both of whom enthusiastically embraced the project, as did the City Council which in July, 2001 approved $1.7 million for the monument. Deck was succeeded by Jim Couch, who ably assisted by Public Works Director and City Engineer Paul Brum, undertook a major and significant role in both planning and implementing the project., Smith and Moore realized that the size of the massive monument was critical to its visual impact, and their search took them to a number of locations, including Lincoln Boulevard with its dramatic vistas of the State Capitol. Their quest for the preeminent location ultimately led them to a long, gentle slope on the Bricktown Canal. The site itself promised to become an integral element to the monument, with the incline adding to the forward movement of the work and the canal serving as a simulated river. The City of Oklahoma City again stepped forward by donating the site, undertaking improvements, and pledging perpetual maintenance., (tablet 3) , A chance encounter on an airliner between Oklahoma Congressman Ernest Istook and Smith would result in Istook becoming one of the project's staunchest champions. In January 2003, Smith was named Chairman of Projects and Events for the Oklahoma Centennial Commission and began working with J. Blake Wade, the Commission's Executive Director. Smith and Wade not only obtained the Centennial Commission's approval of the project, but in May 2004 also secured , as a result of the Congressman Istook's leadership , $2 million from the Federal Government., Smith and Wade then approached the State of Oklahoma and in May 2005 secured a $1 million appropriation to the monument, with an additional $1 million following in February 2006. Throughout the final years of the monument's long evolution, the steadfast support and significant financial assistance provided the project by the Oklahoma City donors to the Oklahoma Centennial Commemoration sustained the impetus that helped fulfill a decades old dream., The Oklahoma Centennial Land Run Monument pays tribute to the courageous settlers who on April 22, 1889 helped shape Oklahoma's unique history. It also recognizes present day pioneers who through their untiring dedication to this project have immortalized a defining moment in our state's epic creation.