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

Osage County Ranching

Photographed by James Hulse, September 13, 2025

1. Osage County Ranching Marker

Inscription. Osage County was once a part of the vast homelands of the roaming Osage tribe, but in the early 1800's the land was given to the Cherokee tribe by the American government. In the late 1800's when the Osage tribe relocated from Kansas to Oklahoma, they purchased 1.57 million acres from the Cherokee which led to the creation of Osage County in present-day Oklahoma. Ownership of the land, coupled with its bluestem prairie grass and abundant water sources, fertilized the lucrative ranching industry that is now part of the Osage heritage.

The Osage lands were known to be one of the best areas in which to drive cattle. Cattlemen from Texas would move their herds up through Oklahoma, fattening the cattle on the luscious bluestem grass in Osage territory on their way north to the rail yards and slaughterhouses in Kansas. The late Osage author Louis F Burns wrote "... Drovers did not drive their herds to the rail heads as depicted in the movies. They grazed them on the so-called long drive, which should be more accurately termed the long-graze." During the "long grazing drives" the bluestem grass of the Osage reservation was excellent for wintering cattle.

Because of the popularity of the Tallgrass Prairie among the cattlemen, the Osage eventually levied taxes on the herds moving through the land. The herd taxes evolved into grass leases for cattle grazing. This was a profitable venture and the beginning of the Osage Nation becoming an economic and cultural fixture in Oklahoma.

Beginning in 1906, the land was distributed to tribal members in an allotment. As part of that allotment, each tribal member was allowed to sell or rent their land as they saw fit. Many of the cattlemen purchased or rented the land, which began a time of permanent cattle ranching in the area. The Indians themselves took to cowboying

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more readily than farming despite government efforts to make them farmers.

Osage County would ultimately boast super ranches: the various Drummond spreads once totaled more than 300,000 acres, Chapman-Barnard exceeded. 100,00 acres, and there were other great ranches such as the Cross Bell (Mullendore) and Adams. Lee Russell, a relative of cowboy artist Charles Russell, once ran cattle over much of western Osage and eastern Kay Counties. In 2016 the Osage Nation purchased the 43,000 acre Bluestem Ranch from Ted Turner and is currently conducting ranching operations as the Osage nation Ranch, whose business operations include cattle and a bison preserve.

Some families have had their ranches in Osage County for more than a century and are still thriving. The Osage Ranching Heritage is solidified as the Osage Nation, ranchers, and investors continue to improve and maintain their ranch holdings in the area.

Captions
(Photo #1) Chapman-Barnard Ranch
(Photo #2) Osage Nation Ranch, Image by Cody Hammer/Osage News

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Indigenous Peoples and Communities

The Osage County Ranching Marker is the first marker on the right side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 13, 2025

2. The Osage County Ranching Marker is the first marker on the right side

• Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.

Location. 36° 44.805′ N, 96° 17.178′ W. Marker is near Pawhuska, Oklahoma, in Osage County. It is at the intersection of Bartlesville Road (U.S. 60) and County Road 2809, on the right when traveling east on Bartlesville Road. The marker is located at a small roadside park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17139 US-60, Pawhuska OK 74056, 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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Outlaws (here, next to this marker); Forest of Irons (a few steps from this marker); The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve (approx. 4.3 miles away); Oil in the Osage

The view of the markers from the parking area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 13, 2025

3. The view of the markers from the parking area

Indian Nation and the "Million Dollar Elm" (approx. 6.2 miles away); Friendship Between the Osage and the Occitan of Montauban (approx. 6.2 miles away); First Boy Scout Troop in America (approx. 6.2 miles away); Restoring the Whiting Apartments (approx. 6.3 miles away); An Answer To Prayer (approx. 6.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pawhuska.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 108 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 20, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.