Marland Family History

Explore the History of the Marland Family . . .

Ernest Whitworth "E.W." Marland (cont.)

Construction of the "Palace on the Prairie"

Marland traveled extensively, and on one of his many trips he discovered the Davanzati Palace in Florence, Italy. He was quite taken with it and dreamed of having his own “Palace on the Prairie.” He hired architect John Duncan Forsyth, construction began in 1925 and it took three years to finish. In 1926, Virginia Marland died after a long illness, so she never lived in the new mansion.

New Mrs. Marland

In 1928, the same year the mansion was finished, E.W. and his adopted daughter, Lydie, traveled in his private railway coach to Flourtown, Pennsylvania where he had her adoption annulled and married her. So, the girl who was first his niece by marriage, and then his adopted daughter, became his wife, the second Mrs. Marland and the “first lady” of the new Marland Estate Mansion. They went on an extended honeymoon and in September 1928, they moved into their new home, E.W.’s gift to his bride.


	Marland's Resignation The grandiose lifestyle that welcomed the Marland’s to their new home did not last long. On November 1, 1928, E.W. Marland resigned as president of his oil company. He was the victim of what could be referred to as a hostile takeover. J.P. Morgan & Co. had gained control of the Marland Oil Board of Directors and their influence on the executive committee left E.W. powerless to carry out his business plans and defenseless
against their takeover. They offered to let him stay on as chairman of the board but even E.W. knew he would be just a figurehead with little or no input. They also suggested that he would need to move from Ponca City. They were afraid Marland would start a new oil company, and many of his loyal employees would follow. E.W. Marland was an employer who was ahead of his time, particularly with employee benefits. He pioneered employer paid insurance, paid eye care and dental bills, and even built over 400 homes for his employees. He did attempt to start a new oil company, believing he could recreate his previous successes in the industry. Had he been successful, many of his employees would have left the old Marland Oil Company to join with him.

Artist Studio

In the early 1930's, the Marlands were unable to afford the utility bills, so they moved into the artist studio, a smaller building on the grounds of the estate.

Artist Studio - 1930

Marland in Politics

Frustrated and embittered by the so-called “money trust," Marland went into politics. His political speeches gave him an opportunity to warn his constituents of the powerful money hungry bankers from back East. In 1932, E.W. was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and he and Lydie moved to Washington D.C. In 1934, E.W. was elected as the 10th Governor of the state of Oklahoma and he and Lydie moved to Oklahoma City. E.W. continued his interest in oil, and one of his personal victories as Governor was the successful leasing of state property at the capital for oil production. While he was still governor, E.W. ran twice for the U.S. Senate, losing both times.

Chauffeurs Quarters - 1930

Return to Ponca City

When the Marland's returned to Ponca City in 1939, they moved back into the artist studio for a short while. John Duncan Forsyth, the original architect on the mansion, oversaw the remodeling of the chauffeur’s house to provide suitable living quarters for the Marland's and they moved in there.

The End of a Dream

In 1941, E.W. finally had to do the one thing he didn’t want to do: sell the mansion. The house that had been built and furnished at a cost of $5.5 million dollars was sold to the Carmelite Fathers for $66,000. Mr. Marland died of a heart ailment six months later in the cottage where he and Lydie lived.

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	The Marland Family		Pioneer Woman Statue
	Fox Hunts and Polo		Mansion Ownership
	The Marland Family Statues