Will Rogers Dog Iron Ranch and Birthplace Home, Oologah

Built in 1875, the house is an example of the vernacular interpretation of the Greek Revival style of architecture typical throughout the South. (An almost identical house exists on the outskirts of Guntersville, Ala., a town founded by Will Rogers’ great grandfather.) The Oologah house is a comparatively rare surviving example of buildings on the former Indian Territory frontier. Clem Rogers added clapboard siding and the place was called “The White House on the Verdigris.” When Mary Rogers died in 1890, Clem Rogers moved to Claremore, but for fifteen years, the house had been a seat of power and site of culture.

The first floor is 1,536 square feet—48 by 32. The house was built with 10-inch logs, hand-hewed from indigenous oak, hickory and walnut hardwood. The logs extend past the second story and support the roof. Two stone chimneys support four open fireplaces. Typical for the times, the house was built from two main 16-foot-by-16-foot “front rooms,” divided by a dog trot that, when enclosed, became a foyer. A lean-to makes up the kitchen, dining room and spare bedroom. Two bedrooms are located upstairs over the two “front rooms.”

Downstairs “front rooms” were used as a parlor and as a master bedroom where Clem Rogers also kept his desk and business records. Will Rogers was born in this log-walled room.

The parlor included a piano used for entertainment. Business, government, and other meetings, including court sessions, were held in the room. It was the site of funerals, weddings, dances, singing, and parties. Other rooms are: kitchen (northwest) 16x16; dining room (center rear) 16.5x19.5; and spare bedroom (northeast) 15.5x15.5.

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