Mystery Manor

This awe-striking abode is home to an abundance of art and historic intrigue.

BY ZOE TRAVERS

IN A NORTHERN Oklahoma town, a grand mansion tells the story of more than a century of history. Built in 1928, this fifty-fiveroom architectural wonder once belonged to a notable—and controversial—oil baron and Oklahoma governor.

The magnate sought to live in a “palace on the prairie” fashioned after Old World Florentine architecture. He worked with Tulsa architect John Duncan Forsyth to craft one of Oklahoma’s most lavish homes.

Every inch of the 43,561-square-foot home remains vibrant a century later. No expense was spared with details like crushed marble floors, silver sconces, Italian stucco, terraced gardens, Waterford chandeliers, and original paintings from legends of the time like Dutch artist Bernard de Hoog. Even the walls were crafted using wood from the royal forest of England.

JJ RITCHEY

The story of Lydie’s white marble statue— including its removal, partial destruction, and restoration—is nearly as fascinating as that of its real-life socialite model.

Inspired by Renaissance styles, the oil baron hired iconic artists like Italian painter Vincent Maragliotti to paint intricate twenty-four-carat gold-leaf ceiling trim masterpieces. One painting, located in the inner lounge that covers the entire ceiling, tells the history of the plains—starting with the founding of the oil baron’s company. There also are intricate carvings of the fleur-de-lis, the Scottish thistle, and the English rose by an unknown artist.

Every statue, painting, and even strip of wood tells a story, some of them more scandalous than others. Today, the mansion is open for visitors to discover its secrets, like the marriage between the oil baron and his adopted daughter Lydie and her mysterious disappearance, and the fascinating journey of the mansion’s ownership by monks and nuns.

In tours, guests are transported to a time of flapper dresses and speakeasies, standing in the same room where notable celebrities like Will Rogers once stood. Unsurprisingly, the mansion’s regal style and manicured grounds make it a popular site for weddings and other events.

Despite its extreme opulence, an element of approachability remains as the mansion doors open for community events and holiday gatherings. The guests of today enter the home with the same feeling of awe as those who entered this mansion a century ago.

What is the name of this elegant mansion, and where is it located?

Mail entries with your name and address to “Off the Map,” P.O. Box 248937, Oklahoma City, OK 73124 or email them to Letters@TravelOK.com. The answer to last issue’s question is the Creek Council Oak Tree in Tulsa.