Will Rogers Birth Place
2 miles east of Oologah Oklahoma 74017
(918) 341-0719 or 1-800-324-9455
Open 365 Days a Year: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission by voluntary contributions.
http://www.willrogers.org.

Attractions

Living history Dog Iron Ranch and log-walled, two-story post-Civil War home where Will Rogers was born November 4, 1879 son of a Cherokee senator, judge and cattleman. Home is authentically conserved and open.

Era-correct barn with a climate-controlled classroom with video program operating all day.

Texas Longhorn cattle and other livestock on a 400-acre spread located on the shore of Lake Oologah.

The ranch always has been under ownership of the Rogers family or as a donated national icon.

Picnic areas.

Grass airstrip.

RV hook-ups (April thru September).

History

Built in 1875, the house is an example of the vernacular interpretation of the Greek Revival style of architecture typical throughout the South. (An almost identical house exists on the outskirts of Guntersville, Ala., a town founded by Will Rogers' great grandfather.) The Oologah house is a comparatively rare surviving example of buildings on the former Indian Territory frontier. Clem Rogers added clapboard siding and the place was called "The White House on the Verdigris." When Mary Rogers died in 1890, Clem Rogers moved to Claremore. For fifteen years, the house was the seat of power and site of culture.

First floor is 1,536 square feet—48 by 32. The house was built with 10-inch logs hand-hewed from indigenous oak, hickory and walnut hardwood. The logs extend past the second story and support the roof. Two stone chimneys support four open fireplaces. Typically built from two main 16-foot-by-16-foot "front rooms," divided by a dog trot that, when enclosed, became a foyer. Lean-to makes up the kitchen, dining room and spare bedroom. Two bedrooms are located upstairs over the two "front rooms."

Downstairs "front rooms" were used as a parlor and as a master bed room where Clem Rogers also kept his desk and business records. Will Rogers was born in this log-walled room.

The parlor included a piano used for entertainment. Business, government and other meetings including court sessions were held in the room. It was the site of funerals, weddings, dances, singing and parties. Other rooms are: kitchen (northwest) 16x16; dining room (center rear) 16.5x19.5; spare bedroom (northeast) 15.5x15.5.

Era Correct Barn

The original and perhaps two replacement barns were destroyed by wildfires that typically were ignited by lightning during thunderstorms and spread rapidly. Frontier ranchers, by priority, would seek to protect homes at the expense of the barn. The current barn was erected July 17, 1993 by Amish farmer-carpenters using rough sawed indigenous oak with the notch and peg methods common in the 19th century and previously. This trade was developed in Switzerland and the tradition moved with Amish immigrants to the United States. The 1993 event was a traditional "barn raising" led by Clarence Miller, master carpenter. Some two dozen Amish farmers assisted. The barn is located east of the house to capitalize on prevailing winds for insect and odor control. The original barn was believed to measure 50-foot-by-68-foot. Amish builders erected a 48-foot-by-64-foot barn for economic reasons. Economics and fire safety also dictated the use of an asphaltic shingle instead of the era- correct wooden shakes. The peak is 26 feet with a hay mow. Traditional stalls were built along with a classroom on the north side to provide a teaching-orientation area that also is suitable for food service. Amish prayer benches, with adapters or leg extenders to fashion tables from the benches, were hand crafted.

Ranch

Clem Rogers' spread was 60,000 acres with up to 10,000 head of Texas Longhorn cattle and other farming operations. Today's ranch is 400 acres with 50 Texas Longhorns.

The ranch is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Paved access leads to the ranch from SH 88 and US 169. Parking paved and spacious. Overnight hook-ups (April thru September) are available with water, electricity and a wastewater dump.