Near Wyandotte in Ottawa County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Henry C. Holderman

1874-1951

Photographed by James Hulse, October 29, 2021

1. Henry C. Holderman Marker

Inscription. Henry Holderman was the man first credited with envisioning a dam across the Grand River. His goal was to bring hydroelectric power to the Cherokee Nation, Holderman was a teenager, hauling lumber between Chetopa, Kansas and the Spavinaw Hills on a route that took him through the Grand River Valley that is when his vision for a dam was first born.

Later in 1896 Holderman along with his brother Bert and two engineering students from the Spalding Institute in Muskogee, Oklahoma built a raft and floated the river from Lola, Kansas to Muskogee, looking for possible sites to construct the dam. Interestingly, the location they selected was very near the area where the engineers who actually built Pensacola Dam (Almost 40 years later) would begin construction.

The people of Oklahoma are forever grateful to Holderman for his vision and his efforts to bring beneficial hydroelectric power to the region.

Erected by Wyandotte Nation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.

Location. 36° 48.073′ N, 94° 45.285′ W. Marker is near Wyandotte, Oklahoma, in Ottawa County. It is on State Highway 137 0.2 miles north

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of U.S. 60, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located at the south entrance to the Twin Bridges Area at Grand Lake State Park on the west side of the highway near the volleyball area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fairland OK 74343, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Quapaw Nation,

specifically in the Cherokee Nation,

and in Northeast Oklahoma — Green Country.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Ozarks,

on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Wyandot Tribe (a few steps from this marker); The Grand Lake Region: An Important Native American Heritage (approx. 0.3 miles away); Welcome to Grand Lake State Park's Twin Bridges Area (approx. 0.3 miles away); Modoc Church (approx. 6.7 miles away); James Long (approx. 6.8 miles away); Modoc Church and Cemetery (approx. 7 miles away); American Indian War Veterans (approx. 7.3 miles away); Gateway Sign (approx. 8.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wyandotte.

The Henry C. Holderman Marker near the volleyball area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, October 29, 2021

2. The Henry C. Holderman Marker near the volleyball area

The view of the Henry C. Holderman Marker from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, October 29, 2021

3. The view of the Henry C. Holderman Marker from the street

The marker is on the right of the two markers.

Henry C. Holderman image. Click for full size.

Photo from the plaque, October 29, 2021

4. Henry C. Holderman

Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 644 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 30, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.