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Oklahoma,Indian Territory
Originates: Oklahoma City, OK
General Description
This tour is available for groups of 10 or more.
In 1830, the United States Government created the Indian Removal Act which would initiate the largest mass movement of people to date. In the mid 1830s the U.S. Government allotted most of what is known today as the state of Oklahoma to five tribes who were living in the southeastern part of the U.S. This land designated as Indian Territory was to belong to the Native Americans “for as long as the grass was green, as long as the waters flowed, and as long as the sky was blue."
The journey from their native homelands to Indian Territory was one of great hardship, and nearly one-third of them died along the trail. They called it the “Trail Where They Cried” or the Trail of Tears.
By 1846, the forced removals were complete. A few prospering years were granted the five tribes before the Civil War began. Although Indian Territory was neutral during the conflict between the North and the South, many tribes or members of tribes sided with the Confederacy. The Government punished these tribes by taking their land from them. No nation was more ravaged by the Civil War than these five nations. Both sides stole their cattle and crops and burned their homes. Once again, they had to start over. Later, white settlers began to encroach on their lands as western expansion claimed their homes once more.
Day 1
Tulsa, once known as the Oil Capital of the world, was settled by the Creek Indians, Tulsa is a Creek word meaning "Old Town." Today, Tulsa is a modern city with many interesting and cultural attractions.
Our tour begins where Tulsa began, at the Council Oak Tree. The Creeks brought with them embers of their sacred fires to the Council Oak upon their arrival to Indian Territory. It is still their ceremonial grounds.
Visit Gilcrease Museum, oil tycoon Thomas Gilcrease's legacy to Tulsa, and see how the west really was. Gilcrease offers an outstanding collection of Native American and western art. Enjoy Black Gold Row, homes of the numerous oil barons who made their home and headquarters in Tulsa. The Tulsa skyline highlights architecture that is timeless and a legacy to the oil money that built it.
Tulsa also is home to Philbrook Museum, a beautiful estate and gardens built by Waite Phillips of the Phillips Petroleum family.
Depart for Claremore, home of the "Cherokee Kid," or as the world knew him, Will Rogers. Enjoy a guided tour of Will Rogers Memorial and final resting-place. Then travel to his birthplace, the Dog Iron Ranch, the little white house overlooking the Verdigris River. We'll have dinner at the ranch before returning to Tulsa.
Day 2
After breakfast we'll depart for Tahlequah. This is the capital of the Cherokee Nation. Tour the Cherokee Tribal Headquarters and the re-created Cherokee Indian village. Tahlequah is the oldest incorporated town in Indian Territory. You will see the Murrell Home, built by the Chief of the Cherokees for his niece and her family. See arts and craft in the downtown square and the Cherokee Heritage Center, which houses an excellent display of Indian artwork. Travel to Bartlesville to overnight.
Day 3
Travel to Woolaroc Museum, a gift to Oklahomans by Frank Phillips, another member of the Phillips Petroleum family. Surrounded by woods, lakes and rocks, this wildlife refuge and museum was once the country getaway of Frank Phillips. The museum boasts an expansive collection of Native American art and sculpture. Enjoy buffalo burgers for lunch.
Bartlesville is headquarters of Phillips Petroleum and features the Nellie Johnstone, a replica of the first commercial oil well in Oklahoma. Price Tower, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, cuts an impressive silhouette in the city’s skyline. See Cherokee Street where J Paul Getty once sold newspapers.
Tonight enjoy Prairie Song, I.T., a replica of a small prairie town along the banks of Hogshooter Creek. Enjoy Native American dancing and a dinner in Naughty Nelle’s Saloon. Overnight in Bartlesville.
Day 4
Travel to Pawhuska, the capital of the Osage Nation. The Osage was one of the wealthiest tribes in the U.S. because of its members' oil rights. See where the Million Dollar Elm Tree once stood under which the Osages sold their oil lease.
Pawhuska was named after Chief Pawhuska, which means "white hair" in the Osage language. You will learn how Pawhuska, a great warrior, acquired this name.
Visit the Osage Tribe Headquarters located high on a bluff overlooking the town of Pawhuska and the Cathedral of the Osage, featuring stained glass windows bearing images of Osage children.
See the National Tallgrass Prairie Preserve and the old Spencer Bernard bunkhouse. Hear about the Reign of Osage Terror when the Osages were being killed by their guardians for their oil rights. This was one of the first cases solved by the newly formed FBI in the 1920s.
Travel through Hominy, a small Oklahoma town that boasts numerous Native American murals by Cha Tullis, a Blackfoot Indian who paints his images on the exterior walls of the buildings in Hominy. Hominy is located in the Osage Nation.
Arrive in Oklahoma City and overnight.
Day 5
Today the tour includes the National Cowboy Hall of Fame as well as the site of the world's largest stocker-feeder auction. More cattle go through the gates at Stockyards City than any other stockyards in the world. We will see historic homes of cotton, oil and cattle barons, and visit the only state capitol in the nation sitting in an oil field. We'll have a free evening in Bricktown, Oklahoma City's favorite location for food and fun.
Day 6
Depart for the ancient Wichita Mountains for legends and lore. Fort Sill military post, located in the Lawton area, was the last of the thirteen forts built by the famous Buffalo soldiers. This fort, built by African Americans during a winter campaign against the Plains Indians, features an historic quadrangle. We’ll also visit Geronimo’s Gravesite and learn about the plight of the Fort Sill Apaches and other Plains tribes.
After visiting Medicine Bluff, we will drive up Mt. Scott to survey the beautiful lands that once belonged to the Kiowa, Apache and Comanche tribes. We'll visit Holy City, site of a spectacular pageant each Easter, and the newly-revived Medicine Park, once a popular resort in the Wichita Mountains. Buffalo, elk and longhorn are plentiful as you drive through the wildlife refuge established by Teddy Roosevelt in 1905.
Dinner will be at Meers, an old gold mining town, and home of the famous Meersburger.
Day 7
Depart for Wewoka, created in 1849 by John Horse, a Black Seminole leader as a Freedman. In 1855, the Florida Seminoles established their capital here after their removal to Indian Territory. A guided tour of the Seminole Nation Museum will give you an insight into the life of the Seminoles.
There will be free time for shopping and resting upon your return to Oklahoma City. In the evening we will travel a short distance to dine with Indian families. Overnight in Oklahoma City.
Day 8
Day of departure.
You will have had the opportunity to learn about the different tribes of Native Americans that live within the boundaries of the state of Oklahoma and to experience some of their cultural differences. Thirty-seven of these tribes are federally recognized as sovereign nations. Two tribal towns are also recognized by the federal-government and maintain some sovereign rights. Many other Native Americans, representing more than 60 other tribes across the United States and Canada, make Oklahoma their home. The more you learn and experience their various cultures, the more you will realize their many differences.
We hope you will come back again soon to see and learn more about Indian Territory.
Contact:
Territorial Tours Limited
Carol Jordan
1636 SW 79th Terrace, Oklahoma City, OK
73159
Phone: (405) 681-6432
Fax: (405) 681-6442
Email: territorialtoursltd@EarthLink.net
