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

James Bigheart

Photographed by James Hulse, September 12, 2025

1. James Bigheart Marker

Inscription. The Osage Chief. Grave here, 1908. When the Osages came to live in Indian Ter. after the Civil War, Bigheart became chief and led in organizing the Osage Nation under a written constitution. He had a trading post at Bigheart, now Barnsdall, and led in saving for the Osages. By Act of Congress, in 1906, all mineral rights that brought them wealth in oil.

Erected 1995 by Oklahoma Historical Society. (Marker Number 166.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location. 36° 33.311′ N, 96° 9.077′ W. Marker is in Barnsdall, Oklahoma, in Osage County. It is on State Highway 11 0.1 miles west of State Highway 123, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located in front of the cemetery along the highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13892 OK-11, Barnsdall OK 74002, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Osage Nation

and 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 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Patriarch Petrochemical Plant of the Southwest (approx. 0.8 miles away); Phillips Bell (approx. 7.8 miles away); The Battle of Wooster Mound (approx. 9.3 miles away); Pawhuska (approx. 12.4 miles away); a different marker also named Pawhuska

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(approx. 12.4 miles away); a different marker also named Pawhuska (approx. 12.4 miles away); Osage Buffalo Hunting Trails (approx. 12.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Barnsdall.

Also see . . . James Bigheart. Wikipedia

James Bigheart was born Pun-Kah-Wi-Tah-An-Kah in 1838 to Nun-tsa-tum-kah and Wah-hui-shah near St. Paul, Kansas. Bigheart converted to Catholicism, was educated at the Osage Mission's post, and fluent in multiple languages. He enlisted in the 9th Kansas Cavalry Regiment of the Union Army in Iola, Kansas on January 19, 1862. He left the army as a first lieutenant on March 22, 1865.

(Submitted on September 17, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the James Bigheart Marker and cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 12, 2025

2. The view of the James Bigheart Marker and cemetery

The view of the James Bigheart Marker along the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 12, 2025

3. The view of the James Bigheart Marker along the street

Credits. This page was last revised on September 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 133 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 17, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.