Oklahoma Historical Society

PROJECT PURPOSE

ARPA-PBR-2105 - Visitor Experience - The Pawnee Bill Ranch was once the showplace of the world-renowned Wild West Show entertainers Gordon W. ?Pawnee Bill? Lillie and May Lillie. The property remains a working buffalo and cattle ranch. One of the features of the home during Pawnee Bill?s life was a gator pond near the family home. The pond has been maintained as a feature of the historic site (without the gator), but the pool area is leaking making it impossible to maintain. A new custom pool lining will be installed in the pond, and the rock wall surrounding it restored.

EVIDENCE

Our projects utilize local or regional contractors to perform the work and draw local, state and national visitation to the area thus boosting the local economy from construction activities and tourism for the area and state.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The communities and local businesses around this site were impacted by the state shutdown and the decline of tourism as a result of the COVID pandemic. The local communities, municipalities and businesses lost revenue from sales, lodging, taxes and other tourism related benefits. This project benefits everyone by employing local businesses to create or improve local attractions and facilities to improve local tourism and community programing. The city of Pawnee (2,068) is the most populous community in rural county of Pawnee (15,553). The median age of the county population is 42. The median income is $48,009, but there is a equity of wealth since 16% of the population live in poverty. 12% of the population under 65 is disabled. The economy is based on health care, social services and agriculture. 3.2% of the population is unemployed. 89% of the adult population have a high school diploma, and 17% have a bachelor degree or higher.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Project performance will be measured by visitation statistics with our current monthly statistical tracking system and tracking earned income at the site.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma