Marland’s Grand Home opened its doors on Saturday, May 6 to celebrate E.W. Marland’s 149th birthday. The event featured several vintage automobiles, cake, beverages, reenactors in the roles of E.W. Marland, Colonel Joe Miller, and Virginia Marland, and the opportunity for guests to sign a birthday card for E.W. Marland that will be displayed at the Grand Home.

Senator Bill Coleman and Representative Ken Luttrell were both present at the event, with Sen. Coleman presenting a citation by the Oklahoma legislature recognizing E.W. Marland’s role in establishing the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

The citation reads as follows: “Whereas, on Saturday, May 6, 2023, Oklahomans joined the greater Ponca City community to recognize and celebrate the birthday of Governor E.W. Marland at Marland’s Grand Home, Ponca City, Oklahoma. May 8 marks his 149th birthday; and Whereas, E.W. Marland was a member of the United States House of Representatives for his adopted state of Oklahoma from 1933 until 1935. The United States was enduring the Great Depression and Oklahoma was also suffering through the days of the dust bowl. Mr. Marland could have easily stayed for a second term in the House of Representatives; however, his heart was with the people of Oklahoma; and Whereas, E.W. Marland was the 10th Governor of Oklahoma. During his first year in office, 1935, he established the Interstate Oil Compact. Six states were members of the compact which worked to stabilize the price and quantity of oil on the market. When oil companies started to encroach on oil under the Capitol grounds, Governor Marland called out the National Guard to protect the property so it could be drilled on behalf of the state of Oklahoma; and Whereas, Governor Marland utilized the Works Projects Association to create an estimated 90,000 jobs for struggling Oklahoman’s. During his tenure 1,300 WPA projects were completed, including building roads, dams, and tress planting; and Whereas, Governor E.W. Marland created the Oklahoma Highway Patrol in 1937 to protect and preserve the lives of Oklahomans. Prior to the establishment of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, law enforcement in pursuit of a suspect could not cross the county lines thereby limiting their effectiveness; and Whereas, Governor Marland created legislation to appropriate funds from the state sales tax to build schools and provide aid for the handicapped, the elderly, and dependent children. During his tenure, he also created 7 of Oklahoma’s 14 State Parks.

Now, therefore, pursuant to the motion of Senator Bill Coleman and Representative Ken Luttrell, the Oklahoma Legislature takes great pride in recognizing the service and accomplishments of Governor E.W. Marland and directs that this citation be presented.”

Additionally, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Colonel Patrick F. Mays was present for the celebrations, along with members of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and a classic 1937 patrol car.

Following the ceremony, guests were invited to the sun room for the cake cutting. The cakes were cut with a Civil War era saber wielded by Joe Glaser.