101 Ranch

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Artist: Harold Holden  Sponsor: Sen. Paul Muegge Dedication: February 6, 2001 Size: 20" x 30" Type: Oil on Board Location: Outer Senate Chamber

The 101 Ranch was founded by Col. George Washington Miller along the Salt Fork River in the Cherokee Outlet in 1879. It was comprised of over 110,000 acres. Not only was it a working ranch, but also featured the world's greatest Wild West show from 1908-1932.

They also operated a dude ranch until 1932. The Millers employed many cowboys and cowgirls, including Hoot Gibson, Tommy Grimes, Neal Hart, Claude Sanders and a host of Indians, representing Cheyenne, Arapaho, Comanche, Kiowa, Shawnee, Sac & Fox, Ponca, Osage, Apache, Sioux, Cherokee and Navajo. Geronimo, of Fort Sill, was one of the major attractions. The show played in most of the major cities of the United States as well as England and the European continent.

Bill Pickett was a wiry cowhand who became a top performer in the Wild West show. He invented steer bulldoggin' and was the star of the show. The painting depicts what Pickett did best, in front of the ranch's company store.

Images are copyright of The Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc. and the artist.  Please contact Pam Hodges at 524-0126 or hodges@oksenate.gov for further copyright information.