Dog Iron Ranch

Rogers, Will, Birthplace
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
The house at Dog Iron Ranch in which Will Rogers was born
Location	Rogers County, Oklahoma, USA
Nearest city	Oologah, Oklahoma
Coordinates	36°28′10″N 95°39′26″W
Area	1,536 square feet (142.7 m2)
Built	1875
Architect	Unknown
Architectural style	Greek Revival
NRHP reference No.	70000538
Added to NRHP	September 29, 1970

The Dog Iron Ranch, located about two miles east of Oologah, Oklahoma, USA, is the historic ranch and birthplace of humorist Will Rogers. It was donated to the state of Oklahoma by the Rogers family. The current property comprises 400 acres (1.6 km²) of the original 60,000 acre (240 km²) ranch operated by Clem Rogers, Will's father. Originally the ranch contained up to 10,000 Texas Longhorn cattle. The present ranch has 50 Longhorns.

History

The house was constructed in 1875 by Clem Rogers, who lived there until his wife died in 1890. His son Will Rogers was born on November 4, 1879. It is a two-story Greek Revival style building. The first floor is constructed of native oak, hickory and walnut logs. It measures 48 feet (15 m) by 32 feet (9.8 m) , covering an area of 1,536 square feet (142.7 m²). Originally the two front rooms were each 16 feet (4.9 m) by 16 feet (4.9 m) were separated by a dog trot, that was later enclosed to make a foyer. The downstairs rooms were used as a parlor and a master bedroom that also served as Clem Rogers' office. A lean-to addition comprised the kitchen, dining room and a spare bedroom. The upstairs part over the "front rooms"contained two more bedrooms.

Clem Rogers was highly influential in local politics. Thus, the house served not only as a family residence, but represented a seat of local political power. It was often called "The White House on the Verdigris."

The present barn was erected July 17, 1993 by two dozen Amish carpenters who knew the traditional notch and peg type of construction that was commonly employed in the 19th Century. However, the peak roof is covered with asphalt shingles instead of wooden shakes for greater fire safety. The new barn is 48 feet (15 m) by 64 feet (20 m), instead of 50 feet (15 m) by 60 feet (18 m) for economic reasons. The original barn and possibly two replacements had been destroyed by wildfires. The current barn not only has traditional stalls, it now includes a classroom area that is also usable as an eating area.

The house where Will Rogers was born was moved about a mile in the 1960s to its present site on the ranch due to construction of nearby Lake Oologah.

On March 7, 2016, Governor Mary Fallon signed Senate Bill 1570 into law, which put the Will Rogers Memorial Commission, which governed both the Will Rogers Memorial Museum and the Dog Iron Ranch, Will Rogers' Birthplace in Oologah, under the control of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The new law became effective immediately.

The ranch is open to visitors daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Admission is by voluntary contributions.

See also

• Will Rogers Memorial

External links

• Will Rogers Birthplace (Dog Iron Ranch)
• Will Rogers Birthplace (Dog Iron Ranch) information, photos and video on TravelOK.com Official travel and tourism website for the State of Oklahoma