Volume 11 , Issue 32

Bliss/Marland, Oklahoma

View Larger Map

Bliss (now Old Bliss) was an unincorporated community near Marland in Noble County, Oklahoma. Bliss was one of the 101 Ranch towns. The post office opened November 4, 1894, but was moved to Marland April 8, 1922.

Another website says, "Bliss, Oklahoma was in the northern portion of Noble county for 26 years until its name was changed to Marland in 1924. The famous 101 Ranch included Bliss."

This is what the Cherokee Strip Museum site has to say about Bliss/Marland, Oklahoma, "The town known as Bliss, named after Cornelius N. Bliss, secretary of the Interior, was located in the north part of Noble County for 26 years. Its name was changed to Marland in 1924 as a result of the influence of W. A. Brooks, who was mayor at that time. Brooks, a cousin of the Miller Brothers of the 101 Ranch was personally acquainted with E. W. Marland, who was going places in the oil business, conceived the idea that Marland would help foster projects in the town if it were named for him. Such was not the case, however. The town was able to stand on its own feet, but the population has dwindled to the 200 mark. During the Three Sands oil boom days and the Miller brothers activities the population reached 1,000."

Marland -- Oklahoma Historical Society's Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture says, "Marland is situated in Noble County on State Highway 156 twelve miles due east of Interstate 35 and approximately twenty-three miles north-northeast of Perry, Marland, formerly Bliss, developed as a shipping point on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway.

"The town has had three incarnations, the first two as Bliss. The surrounding region, primarily grassland and formerly part of the Ponca Reservation, was leased for grazing by the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch.

"At the Santa Fe tracks on the edge of their ranch, the Millers built stockyards and other facilities for shipping cattle. South of that location a small rural community grew up circa 1898 in Section 24 of Buffalo Township, where there came to be a lumberyard, a general store, and a few residents by 1900.

"Grain elevators were erected at the tracks in 1904. Ranch correspondence and advertising generally used "Bliss" or "Bliss Station" as the Miller's home base. In the early years of the century the brothers held various Wild West shows at the ranch's summer camp near Bliss Station. Visitors took the train to the depot that Santa Fe built there."
  |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

---