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PONCA CITY, OKLAHOMA
The Big V Ranch was owned by William
Henry Vnaselous. W. H. Vanselous was a mule dealer and stockman. From 1905
to 1912 he handled more mules than any other farmer in the United States.
His brand "V" on each jaw became the best known in the country. He bought
land from the Ponca Indians and his ranch finally reached 10,000
acres.
The Big V never suffered from the drought
as other ranches. The years from 1919 to 1937 had been pretty severe, due
to shortage of rain and dust storms. Bill Vanselous began experimenting
with drought resisting types of corn when he commenced farming in the
Strip. He found that white corn was particularly adapted to the growing
conditions fund in Western Oklahoma. He later became noted for the most
extensive corn grower in Oklahoma with yields of 100,000 bushels or better.
In 1906 he produced 130,000 bushels of corn.
William H. Vanselous died April 7, 1930.
He was a member of the Cherokee Strip
Cow Punchers' Association. For more about the Vancelous's read "The Last
Run" stories assembled by the Ponca City Chapter DAR.
BIG V
RANCH SELLS 30,000 BUSHELS CORN
March 31, 1931—Daily Oklahoman--Tonkawa‑‑The purchase of
30,000 bushel of corn by the Pool Elevator Corporation from the Big V Ranch
near Ponca City was announced Wednesday evening by J. R. Dorsett, Manager of
the Tonkawa and other surrounding pool elevators.
This purchase Dorsett says, is the largest that he has seen
transacted in corn during the 10 years that he has been in the elevator
business.
The corn is No. 2 white milling and is to, be distributed to,
various mills in the south and the southwest. It to being loaded at the
Kelly Switch elevator and will be sent to the elevator Corporation
headquarters at Enid for distribution to other points.
This year 2,500 acres of corn were grown on the Big V Ranch,
which is owned by the Vanselous estate, Dorsett said. The 30,000 bushel
purchase represents only part of the corn produced on the ranch.
The Pool Elevator Corporation has elevators located at Kelly
Switch, Bois D'Arc, Three Sands and at Tonkawa.
My comments:
Look to the barn in the back and see the Big V on the roof. This old
home was lost to the Vanselous family until just recently, when heirs have
purchased the house and lands around it. The house has been carefully
restored to save the identical way it looked when the family was living
here.
There are three stories and a
basement. The bathrooms are now equiped with the latest and lovliest
plumbing in order to accommodate visitors who will stay in this bed and
breakfast inn. The barn at the back has been rebuilt and is a wonderful
saving of a restoration of the typical old hay loft at the top and stalls
for the mules at the first floor. Interesting enough Jane, one of the
owners, told how the barn was restored to keep its original look but had to
have original beams replaced because the roof was actually swaying. The
barn is approximately 100 feet long so this is understandable how a building
would drop in the center. Jane showed us the old seed bin like we had at
the ranch. We had two barns with those and as a child I remember "skating"
on the cement floors where the Kaffer seeds were left. I loved to watch the
machines fill the rooms with seed. The Vanselous barn was about the same
size as the barn at our ranch home and it gave me strange feelings as I
stood in a place like that when I was a child.
I'll try to get back out to get pictures of the interior. I think you
will be really excited about the restoration as I was. Folks like to gossip
that the third floor is where the "ghost" dwells.
The family has many plans for tours and educational opportunities for
school children, who have never seen a working farm like this in the area.
The day we took this picture there were tractors in the field harvesting
corn.
Donna
My happy artwork in agreement with the day for the Grand Opening of the
newly restored Big V (Vanselous ranch).
Mr. Mule got some attention and so did the sunflowers. This is
Sunflower #4. The first three were donated to President
Jimmy Carter and his Habitat for Humanity project
Back Porch entry way. What a thrill to see this area so
much like our ranch house summer table off the kitchen.
Rhonda sits outside of what was the commissary, now restored,
where the local citizens came to buy staples, flour, molasses, salt pork,
hats, boots and whatever the store stocked.
The Edwards men hooking up the harnesses for
these ponies
getting ready to have wagon rides for visitors. This picture more
than any other tells about the vibrancy and strength of this occasion.
What a thrill to see a large family all working hand in hand to bring
about the restoration of the Big V Ranch, truly a historical occasion.
June 7, 2008. For me, this effort brought a new hope in my soul to
see these dedicated, strong people pulling together with the same character
of their ancestors who built this place originally. |
