Pops on the Prairie, Oklahoma

It is the OKMozart festival time here in Bartlesville and his tunes take precedent, but last night was Pops in Woolaroc. After a BBQ dinner at Dink’s we headed out into the prairie to Frank Phillip’s oilman outpost. The magnificent grounds were filled with families packing cooler dinners and beverages sitting in fold up chairs, reminiscent of a fourth of July from a western. The prairie sky deepened as the orchestra tuned up, French horn pecking from the back of the pack. Soon opera, show and movie tunes filled the night air, friendly claps punctuated between tunes. It was Americana that still has deep roots here in Oklahoma’s northeast. As the medley of western movie music ended the concert, there was hope for more. As the theme for Superman played, magnificent fireworks lit up the sky reflected in the lake below. For just a bit my problems and my countries seemed minimal, pride filled the prairie. Unfortunately dreamy nights and punchy tunes do not last forever, but they do help.

Woolaroc and Frank Phillips, Oilman and His Home

After learning the sad story of E.W. Marland is was a different twist visiting the homes of Frank Phillips of Phillips 66 fame, he survived the ups and downs of life as an oilman. While “Uncle Frank’s” home in Bartlesville is grand it is his place 12 miles away named Woolaroc that really stands out. Frank built a combination of western log manor and wildlife preserve. He collected western and Native American art and made mixing business and pleasure a tool in his building Phillips Oil. In the card room Frank once put up an oil rig against owner, Barnum’s circus. (Barnum and Bailey’s) Barnum lost but won the circus back later in the weekend. One can almost hear Will Rodgers witty stories told around the poker table. Frank claimed that if he could get a man to visit Woolaroc, he could close a deal. I think he just might have been right.

Backbiting in the Black Gold Fields of Oklahoma

The oil business here in Oklahoma has a fascinating history, story of wildcatters, huge losses and bigger gains. We went today to the mansion of E. W. Marland who at one time held as much power as Saudi Arabia currently has today in the oil markets. After losing his first million in Penn. E.W. came here and again built a massive fortune. While not well know outside of Oklahoma here he is a considered a saint, donations aplenty for workers and folks living here. His mansion is an amazing look at the wealth built on black gold. The company Marland Oil eventually became Conoco due to some shady moves by J.P. Morgan. Moves that would have had J.P. jailed today, E.W exacted some revenge by becoming congressman and loved governor of this state and vigorously promoting anti- trust laws. His story and that of his family would be a fantastic movie as indeed it just might be soon. The spice in the twisting tale is E.W. marrying his adopted daughter after the death of his first wife. Today we explore the world of Frank Phillips of Phillips 66 fame.