photo of historic library in Marland Grand Home

Oklahoma Stories

Magnates and their mansions

By Elaine Warner May 2025

When the oil boom hit, ambitious men with big dreams and deep pockets rushed in and built lasting landmarks

Long before statehood, Oklahoma’s oil was more of a nuisance than a goldmine, seeping up through the soil and polluting waterways. But when the railroads arrived, turning crude into cash became a reality. Wildcatters and investors flooded the region and striking it rich. Few names loom as large from this era as E.W. Marland and the Phillips brothers — men who didn’t just build oil empires but also structures that have shaped the history of Oklahoma.

The visionary of Ponca City

Born in Pennsylvania in 1874, E.W. Marland began his career as a lawyer before turning to oil and coal investments. By age 34, he had made and lost a fortune. Undeterred, he set his sights on Oklahoma, where the oil boom offered a second chance. This time, his gamble paid off.

Exterior of Marland Mansion — Marland Mansion in Ponca City

In 1916, Marland and his wife, Mary Virginia, moved into a grand 22-room mansion on Grand Avenue in Ponca City. By the 1920s, he controlled 10% of the world’s oil reserves, securing his place among the era’s titans. The couple traveled extensively, and a visit to Italy’s Davanzati Palace inspired Marland’s dream home — the lavish “Palace on the Prairie.”

Mary Virginia’s death in 1926 marked a turning point. Two years later, Marland married Lydie, and the couple moved into the newly completed mansion. They entertained in grand style, becoming fixtures in elite circles. But fortune is fickle. New York investors, led by J.P. Morgan, wrested control of Marland’s company, leaving him financially devastated.

Forced to reinvent himself, Marland turned to politics, serving as a U.S. Representative before becoming Oklahoma’s governor. His beloved mansion was sold, but he remained cherished by his community. He passed away in 1941, while Lyde lived on for another four decades, quietly writing her own chapter of the Marland story.

Today, both of Marland’s grand homes are open to the public. The original mansion still features restored rooms and exhibits showcasing Marland’s collections, including Native American artifacts and relics from the famed 101 Ranch. The Palace on the Prairie — a 43,561 square-foot, 55-room marvel — boasts wood paneling from England’s Royal Forests, Waterford chandeliers and sterling silver sconces, testaments to the grandeur of Oklahoma’s oil baron age.

The barber who struck black gold

Frank Phillips’ story is a more conventional rags-to-riches tale. Born in 1873 in Nebraska to a struggling farm family, he worked as a barber before setting his sights on bigger opportunities. Marrying Jane, the daughter of a banker, gave him a foot in the door of the financial world, and soon the couple moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, to chase the promise of oil.

Exterior of Phillips home — Frank and Jane Phillips’ Bartlesville home

Frank’s brother, L.E., joined him, and together they drilled relentlessly. After a string of failures, their luck turned. One gusher led to another, and in 1917 they founded Phillips Petroleum. By 1921 their company was tied to more than 900 wells, cementing their fortune.

Success allowed the Phillips family to move into a grand 26-room Neo-classical mansion on Cherokee Avenue in Bartlesville. Almost all the home’s furnishings date back to a 1930 renovation, featuring Philippine mahogany woodwork, gold bathroom fixtures, and Tiffany lamps. A small museum in the former garage tells the Phillips family’s story in greater depth.

Frank and Jane Phillips were deeply loved by the community, earning the affectionate nicknames “Uncle Frank” and “Aunt Jane” due to their generosity. Jane passed in 1948, and Frank followed in 1950. The home remained in the family until it was donated to the Oklahoma Historical Society and is now managed by the Frank Phillips Foundation.

Beyond Bartlesville, Frank Phillips’ legacy lives on at Woolaroc, a sprawling ranch retreat he built in 1925. The rustic lodge, crafted from Arkansas pine logs, overlooks a peaceful lake and waterfall. Inside, the grand living room showcases an impressive display of taxidermy, including a Texas longhorn head mounted on the balcony.

The true crown jewel of Woolaroc, however, is its museum, often called the Smithsonian of the West.” Housing an extensive collection of Western art and artifacts, it stands as a tribute to Phillips’ love of history and culture. Visitors can also explore a recreated 1840 fur trader’s camp, a wildlife preserve, an animal barn and miles of hiking trails.

E.W. Marland and Frank Phillips were more than oil barons. Their homes, museums and philanthropic contributions continue to tell the story of an era when oil was king, and ambition knew no bounds. Today, visitors can step back in time, walking the halls of these grand estates and experiencing firsthand the legacies of men who helped shape the state’s future.