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

The Old Entrance Gate

— Pawnee Bill Ranch & Museum —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 10, 2024

1. The Old Entrance Gate Marker

Inscription.
Entering the ranch in 1910 was a stately affair. Carriages and cars entered through an arched sandstone gate that led into a tree lined drive, winding up Blue Hawk Peak until visitors reached the Pawnee Bill mansion. From the mansion, the guests were afforded an amazing view of the town of Pawnee and farmland surrounding the property. Bison freely grazed the property and could often be seen on the lawns of the mansion and surrounding drive.

Erected by Pawnee Bill Ranch & Museum. (Marker Number 11.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 36° 19.876′ N, 96° 48.941′ 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, on the east side of the Museum and Gift Shop. 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

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is in Greater Tulsa.

It is also in the American South,

specifically 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 walking distance of this marker: Local and Regional Sites (within shouting distance of this marker); Earth Lodge (within shouting distance of this marker); The Log Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); The Observation Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); The Windmill (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Blacksmith Shop (about 300 feet away); Pawnee Bill Ranch and Museum (about 300 feet away); The Barn (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pawnee.

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

2. Marker detail: Town of Pawnee as seen from Blue Hawk Peak
the Blue Hawk Peak Ranch, was the home of Wild West show 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.)

Marker detail: Postcard showing full view of original ranch entrance image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: Postcard showing full view of original ranch entrance

Marker detail: Back side of the original entrance image. Click for full size.

4. Marker detail: Back side of the original entrance

The back side of the original entrance can be seen as Pawnee Bill sits by a pond. The original entrance and pond are now located on private property.

Marker detail: Buffalo Ranch Poster image. Click for full size.

5. Marker detail: Buffalo Ranch Poster

A poster used to advertise the buffalo ranch during Pawnee Bill’s life. The original ranch entrance and the driveway can be seen on the right side.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 10, 2024

6. The Old Entrance Gate Marker

Looking east from near the Pawnee Bill Museum & Gift Shop

Pawnee Bill Ranch Entrance Gate image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 10, 2024

7. Pawnee Bill Ranch Entrance Gate

Turn south here from Pawnee Bill Road to access the ranch and museum. The main parking lot is about 150 meters uphill from the gate. Today's entrance gate is similar to the original.

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 116 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 13, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.