Pawnee in Pawnee County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

The Observation Tower

— Pawnee Bill Ranch & Museum —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 10, 2024

1. The Observation Tower Marker

Inscription.
The observation tower was built around 1913, making it the last of the original five structures built on the ranch. The tower is unusual in shape and construction, and no one is quite sure why Pawnee Bill built the structure. The tower is located on the highest part of the ranch and offers a view of most of the property. Back when the ranch was over 2,000 acres, the livestock could easily be seen from this vantage point. The sandstone arms that extend from the tower are meant to be used as gardens. Please do not climb on the outside of the observation tower.

Pawnee Bill described this observation tower as his Indian Flower Shrine. He thought that it looked like an Indian paintbrush flower in bloom when viewed from above. Some believe that it looks like a Texas Ranger star or badge. What do you see when looking at this structure?

[photo captions]
• The observation tower shortly after construction was completed.
• Pawnee Bill and another gentleman stand in the observation tower. The exterior of the tower has always been used to grow various plants.
• A Christmas card of Pawnee Bill, c. 1940. This card features a view of the

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

ranch, including the observation tower, seen in the top right side of the photograph.
• Mary Barrera and a ranch hand ride a horse in front of the observation tower. From this view, the wooden spindles that make up the roof can be clearly seen. The roof was never shingled.

Erected by Pawnee Bill Ranch & Museum. (Marker Number 9.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 36° 19.897′ N, 96° 48.984′ W. Marker is in Pawnee, Oklahoma, in Pawnee County. It can be reached from Pawnee Bill Road just east of Harrison Street (U.S. 64), on the right when traveling east. The marker is located on the Pawnee Bill Ranch interpretive trail, just south of the main parking lot, overlooking the tower. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1141 Pawnee Bill Road, Pawnee OK 74058, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Tulsa.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 10, 2024

2. The Observation Tower Marker

Looking east from the Pawnee Bill Ranch interpretive trail; the Observation Tower is in the background.

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 walking distance of this marker: Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum (a few steps from this marker); The Blacksmith Shop (a few steps from this marker); The Carriage House (within shouting distance of this marker); Local and Regional Sites (within shouting distance of this marker); The Log Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); The Goldfish Pond (within shouting distance of this marker); Earth Lodge (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pawnee.

Regarding The Observation Tower. Contributing structure, Blue Hawk Peak Ranch, National Register of Historic Places № 75001571 (now known as Pawnee Bill Ranch & Museum).

From the National Register Nomination prepared by Kent Ruth, Oklahoma Historical Society, 5/1975:
On
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 10, 2024

3. Observation Tower Staircase
this commanding point Pawnee Bill built a rambling log cabin he named Blue Hawk Peak for his Indian friend. Here the Lillies lived until 1910 when their new stone bungalow was built. The comfortably rustic "mansion" remained their home until they died, May in 1936, Pawnee Bill in 1242. When his Wild West Show finally went under in 1913 Pawnee Bill retired to Blue Hawk Peak and concentrated on building up and promoting his herds of bison and cattle. When the state purchased the ranch in 1961, it stood much as it had when Pawnee Bill died twenty years before. The house, outbuildings, garden, original log cabin, and three-story stone-and-steel barn were essentially unchanged. This nomination of some 280 acres — all that remains of the original ranch — includes the rustic "mansion" he built in 1910 for himself and May, and the other original ranch buildings.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Pawnee Bill Ranch & Museum

Also see . . . Pawnee Bill Ranch (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: The Pawnee Bill Ranch, also known as the Blue Hawk Peak Ranch, was the home of Wild West show
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 10, 2024

4. Pawnee Bill Museum
The view looking southeast from the Observation Tower.
entertainer, Gordon W. "Pawnee Bill" Lillie. In December 1910, Lillie and his wife May's dream of a home on top of a hill overlooking a bend in the Black Bear River was realized. Between the years of 1910 and 1926, many other buildings were added to the ranch site. Between 1910 and 1913 the carriage house, log cabin, blacksmith shop, and observation tower were added to the site by the Lillies to accommodate their growing businesses. In 1926, to meet the need for larger livestock accommodations, the Lillies built an impressive three story barn. Since 1962, Blue Hawk Peak has been owned by the State of Oklahoma. Now operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society, Pawnee Bill Ranch, as it is known today, is open as a historic site dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of history as it relates to Pawnee Bill and May.

(Submitted on February 13, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Barn and Log Cabin image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 10, 2024

5. Barn and Log Cabin

The view looking south from the Observation Tower.

The Observation Tower (<i>south elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 10, 2024

6. The Observation Tower (south elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 12, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 183 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 13, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.