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Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch
(Dog Iron Ranch)

Photo of Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch home.

Located on the shores of Lake Oologah. 1 mile north of Oologah, and 2 miles east of Hightway 169.

9501 East 380 Rd
Oologah, Oklahoma 74053
918.275.4201

Map to the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch - CLICK HERE

Open 365 days a year:  8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission by voluntary contributions

 

Attractions

 

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." For fifteen years, the house was the seat of power and site of culture. When Mary Rogers died in 1890, Clem Rogers moved to Claremore.

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

The downstairs "front rooms" were used as a parlor and as a master bedroom 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), 16' by 16'; dining room (center rear) 16.5' by 19.5'; and spare bedroom (northeast) 15.5' by 15.5'.

 

Photo of Birthplace Ranch era-correct 1879 barn.

Era-Correct 1879 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 on July 17, 1993, by Amish farmer-carpenters using rough-sawed indigenous oak with the notch-and-peg methods common in the nineteenth century and earlier. This trade was developed in Switzerland and the tradition moved with Amish immigrants to the United States. The event in 1993 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 feet by 60 feet. 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 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 handcrafted.

 

A view from Oologah lake.

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

 

Photo of RV parked at one of the eight sites.

RV Hook-ups

 

Photo of airplane on the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch grass air strip.

Airport Information

 

 

Will Rogers Memorial Commission
James L. Hartz, Chairman
Steven W. Turnbo, Vice-Chairman
Paul H. Johnson
Stephen R. Pazzo, Jr.
James K. Rogers
D. R. Deacon Turner, II
Cara Cowan Watts

Will Rogers Memorial Museums
Steven K. Gragert, Director