Day 4 Woolaroc Museum

We planned to visit Woolaroc museum while here and decided today would be the day because they were having the Spring Traders Encampment with approximately 125 tents and teepees. It is an annual Western heritage event, formerly known as the Spring Mountain Man Encampment, with participants from all over the United States. They recreate the rugged pioneer life of the men and women who trapped and traded in 1840s-era Indian Territory. You can observe their lifestyle, learn about their backgrounds and interests, watch their craft demonstrations and check out their wares. But first, we went through the museum. 

Hidden away in the rugged Osage Hills, Woolaroc was the ranch retreat of oilman Frank Phillips and is now a 3,700 acre wildlife preserve and world-class art museum.

He co-founded the Phillips Petroleum Company with his brother Lee Eldas Phillips in 1917.

Beautiful pottery from Anasazi, Mogollon, Hohokum and Pueblo peoples. This is some of the best examples of early Southwestern pottery, ranging from 650 AD - 1600 AD.

Most of the artifacts in this case were excavated by Frank Phillips, the first amateur archaeologist to visit the site. The specimens are representative of the ancestors of the Spiro Indians who lived 1500-2000 years ago. 

This is the original winning bronze, chosen by votes of art lovers in all parts of the country, from which the Pioneer Woman Monument at Ponca City, Oklahoma, was made. Bryant Baker, sculptor of the winning statue, says of his great work, 

"I wanted to depict courage and faith as my pioneer woman stepped out without fear, doubt, or uncertainty—a moving force like the great nation itself."

The Woolaroc Plane

High-octane gas refined by Phillips Petroleum Company powered the “Woolaroc” monoplane to victory in a record-setting but deadly 1927 air race from California to Hawaii. 

On a foggy summer morning in 1927, eight airplanes prepared for takeoff before a crowd of more than 50,000 at the Oakland Airport in California. Aviation history was about to be made over the Pacific Ocean with a 2,400-mile air race to Honolulu.

Aviation engine technologies had rapidly been advancing, thanks in part to Frank Phillips and Phillips Petroleum Company’s Nu-Aviation Gasoline, a powerful fuel developed in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

Four days after Charles Lindbergh’s famous transatlantic flight in May 1927, James Dole of the Dole Pineapple Company offered a $25,000 first prize for an air race of its own – across the Pacific from Oakland to Honolulu, Hawaii.

Arthur Goebel Jr., a veteran barnstormer and Hollywood stunt pilot joined seven other aircraft in the race, which took place just three months after Lindbergh’s historic flight. The young pilot found a sponsor and friend in Frank Phillips, president of Phillips Petroleum Company, Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

Phillips loaned Goebel $4,500 needed to take delivery of a Travel Air 5000 monoplane. Goebel promised to use a new aviation fuel developed by Phillips Petroleum for the planned flight over the Pacific. It was decided to name the airplane “Woolaroc,” the name of Frank Phillips’ ranch near Bartlesville.

With an enthusiastic crowd of more than 50,000 cheering them on, the eight competing aircraft attempted to take off from the muddy Oakland Airport field at about noon on August 16, 1927.

Two of the fuel-heavy planes crashed on takeoff and others soon returned to the airport for repairs. Many aviators perished on the way.

Early aviation was dangerous. Five aircraft eventually headed out over the Pacific. Only two would make it to Hawaii. Three aircraft and their crews disappeared forever over the ocean.

The Woolaroc arrived after 27 hours, 17 minutes and 33 seconds in flight, winning the race. The only other survivor, Aloha, a monoplane piloted by Martin Jensen, landed just over two hours later – with only four gallons of fuel remaining in its tanks.

Goebel won the $25,000 Dole prize, but six men and one aspiring “Aviatrix,” Mildred Doran, had died in the disastrous race. Sixty naval and merchant ships as well as navy and army aircraft searched for two weeks. No traces were ever found.

Despite the tragedy, Phillips Petroleum continued to pursue the aviation market. Today, the Phillips 66 Aviation name remains well known to pilots.

Heading over to the Traders Encampment. It’s just a bit windy. 

Some of the tents set up for the Encampment. 

Woman spinning yarns. She was spinning sheep, llama, cotton, silk and flax yarns and showed us the processes from raw product to yarn. 

We also visited with a man doing tin and copper work. He was very interesting but I didn’t get a pic. 

This little girl was resting her head on the ground and drawing in the dirt. 

After visiting the vendors, we headed back to the house for coffee and snacks on the porch. 

Went back to the Mexican food place for dinner as there aren’t many choices here. 

Played a bit of jenga after dinner. Vicki jenga’d. 

It has been a glorious trip and we’ve crammed in lots of sightseeing and one good hike even with all our ailments. 

We tried to get the caked on mud off the windows but it was set like concrete. 

Saying farewell. 🙁

Thank you to our families for allowing us this time away for rest and fellowship. 

And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14