Pawhuska, Oklahoma – A Visit To Osage Country

Jeff & Crystal — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 04:30:00 +0000

We’ve known for years that the treasures of the United States aren’t found on the interstates. It’s the small towns and cities that fall around and between these thoroughfares that hold the essence of life in America. Lying northeast of Tulsa, you’ll find Pawhuska, Oklahoma. This town gained fame as the home of the Pioneer Woman. Our visit taught us that it has long been the headquarters of the Osage tribal government. The blend of Native and Western cultures has created a destination that draws thousands of visitors annually.

Osage Nation in Pawhuska

The Osage people are one of the native nations of the Great Plains. They migrated west, in the 1660s, to distance themselves from the growth of the Iroquois nation. By the early 1800s, the Osage had become a dominant power in the Midwest region. This would change with the expansion of the new American government. Before the end of the 19th century, the Osage would be forced into their present-day area in northern Oklahoma. The Osage were one of the few tribes who purchased their lands, as well as the mineral rights. This would prove to be beneficial to the tribe members when vast oil reserves were discovered on their property. You can learn more about the culture of the tribe by visiting the Osage Nation Museum. This FREE attraction is located near downtown Pawhuska.

Pioneer Woman

We first heard of Pawhuska during reference to the Pioneer Woman Mercantile. Ree and Ladd Drummond have transformed a 100-year old building into a showcase of Americana. As we shopped, we noticed modern versions of many items that were present in our grandparent’s kitchens. Heading upstairs, we discovered a bakery stocked with sweet treats. They even have a deli, which was the perfect spot for a delicious lunch.

Ben Johnson Museum

While the Pioneer Woman may be a huge draw for Pawhuska, it’s not the only attraction in town. Just a couple of blocks away is the Ben Johnson Museum. This hidden gem holds an array of western and movie memorabilia from one of my favorite cowboy stars. We enjoyed seeing the long list of steer roping champions. They even have a setup for visitors to try their hand at roping. While we decided to skip it, there was a family that jumped in and gave it a shot.

Shop Till You Drop in Pawhuska

After the museum, we strolled back downtown to do a little more shopping. We had spotted some boutiques earlier in the day and decided that we would visit, if time allowed. The focus seems to be on the western style, which was just fine with us. Crystal was able to find a cute skirt, while I picked up a couple of bracelets at The Buckin’ Flamingo. All-in-all, we felt like it was a successful shopping adventure.

Trigger's BBQ

All of this fun had triggered our appetites, so we asked a few locals for their recommendations. The majority pointed us toward Trigger’s BBQ. You know we weren’t afraid to tackle some barbecue, so we headed over to check them out. One of their sampler meals seemed the perfect fit for two. Our choice included pulled pork, brisket, and sausage. The meal included two sides, so we chose some cheesy potatoes and dirty rice. The food was so good that we were surprised to learn the place had only been around since 2020.

Loving The Pawhuska Vibe

By the time we finished our meal, I had barbecue coated fingers, but I’m not complaining. Our time in Pawhuska, Oklahoma had been filled with fun and fascinating discoveries. It was another reminder that getting off the interstate can bring big rewards. The town is about a four-hour drive from Kansas City, so it’s on the furthest edge of what we consider a day trip. If you choose to spend the night, they have some cute lodging options around town. We’d love to hear about your visits to this unique town. Drop us a note in the comments section at the bottom of the page. Until then, travel safely!

The post Pawhuska, Oklahoma – A Visit To Osage Country appeared first on Our Changing Life.

Ben Johnson – Modern Day Cowboy

Jeff & Crystal — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 04:30:00 +0000

If you’ve watched many westerns, you are familiar with Ben Johnson. This Oklahoma native, grew up ranching, before trying his hand as a stuntman in Hollywood. When John Ford gave him his break, he ran with it. Ben would appear in over 300 movies and win an Academy Award. In the middle of his acting career, he returned to his roots and became a rodeo world champion. The only man to have won both of these auspicious awards, Ben Johnson epitomizes cowboy life. Our visit to the Ben Johnson Cowboy Museum would open up a world of details about cowboy life in Osage County, Oklahoma.

Family Traits

Ben isn’t the only Johnson family member to have cowboy skills. His father, Ben Sr., was a rodeo champion in the 1920s. Growing up watching his father rope would inspire the younger Ben to take up the sport. In 1953, he joined his father as a world champion roper. Like his father, who had served in WWI, Ben joined the military and served in WWII.

Past Champions

The Ben Johnson Cowboy Museum tells the stories associated with rodeo greats from the Osage County region of Oklahoma. After paying our $10/person admission, we began our education in the world of rodeo. The museum showcases a variety of cowboys and cowgirls who shaped the sport. The past champions we saw are all associated with Osage County. Seeing so many exhibits, we began to think that every past champion must have come from this region.

Interesting Stories

Many of the past champs were cowboys who followed their passion. Jim Snively (bottom picture) was an Oklahoma native who reigned as a top roper for most of the 1950s. There were also a few stories that were at another level. Henry Grammer was a World Champion Steer Roper who had a darker side. During the 1920s, he was a moonshiner in Osage County. It’s rumored that he had ties to the Kansas City mob. It was during this timeframe that a series of murders occurred around the Osage reservation. Grammer was implicated in some of the murders, but would perish in a car accident before the investigation was completed.

Supporting Cast

The Ben Johnson Cowboy Museum doesn’t restrict its displays to rodeo champions. We spotted a couple of exhibits dedicated to some of the artisans we associate with cowboy life. It takes a lot of work to create the tools needed to work the ranches in Osage County. Whether it’s saddles, spurs, boots, or any of the other necessary tools, there are people working to create them. Be sure to check out these displays as the workmanship is unbelieveable.

Second Career

Now that we had learned about his cowboy career, it was time to move on to his time in Hollywood. During filming of Fort Apache, Ben was the riding double for Henry Fonda. An unexpected stampede threw three men into danger. Ben raced off and saved them, which eared John Ford’s gratitude. His repayment for that bravery landed Ben a seven-year acting contract. When Johnson saw that his contract paid $5000 per week, he immediately grabbed a pen and signed. It was quite an increase from the $1 per day he earned as a cowboy in Oklahoma.

Movie Time

We continued exploring the museum, which is plastered with movie memorabilia from Ben’s career. Over and over we saw titles that were familiar. Ben had no issue with being a supporting actor. A quote that stuck with me is “Everybody in town’s a better actor than I am, but none of them can play Ben Johnson.” It was this nonchalant approach that made him so personable. John Wayne enjoyed working with him so much, that Ben appeared in eight movies with “The Duke”. He also appeared in one of my all-time favorite westerns, Shane. Always a professional, Ben would win an Academy Award for his work in the 1971 movie, The Last Picture Show.

Challenge Yourself

We eventually found ourselves in the back of the museum. Here they have assembled an area where visitors can try their hand at roping. While Crystal and I decided to pass, we were fortunate to spot another group who was willing. The young man we watched pointed out that it is harder than it appears. We cheered along with his family when he managed to lasso the steer. He looked like a future rodeo champion in the making.

Experience the Ben Johnson Cowboy Museum

Before heading to our next stop, we needed to memorialize our visit. Near the entrance they have a taxidermized buffalo that visitors can use for posing. We each took our turn, which allowed us an “aha” moment of just how large these creatures can grow. As we explored more of Pawhuska, Oklahoma, my mind kept returning to the exhibits we found at the museum. I decided that this is probably one of the most unusual “hidden gems” we have discovered in our travels. If you find yourself in this region, it’s well worth setting aside time to see it for yourself.

The post Ben Johnson – Modern Day Cowboy appeared first on Our Changing Life.

Pawhuska Archives - Our Changing Life