Osage Casino facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Osage Casino Hotel-Ponca City |
|
|---|---|
Osage Casino Hotel in Ponca City
|
|
| Location | Ponca City, Oklahoma |
| Address | 64464 US Hwy 60, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74604 |
| Opening date | 2007 |
| No. of rooms | 48 |
| Total gaming space | 8,620 sq ft (801 m2) |
| Notable restaurants | Salted Fork |
| Casino type | Land-based |
| Owner | Osage Nation |
| Architect | Marnell |
| Previous names | Osage Casino |
The Osage Nation is a Native American tribe. They operate seven places called casinos in Oklahoma. These places are all known as Osage Casino. The Osage Nation is one of the largest tribes in the United States. Their reservation, which is like their homeland, is in Osage County, Oklahoma. This area is even bigger than the U.S. states of Delaware and Rhode Island!
Contents
A Look at Osage Casinos
The Osage Nation owns and runs several casinos. These are places where people can play games on machines or at tables. They also often have restaurants and hotels. The Osage Nation uses the money from these businesses to help their community.
The Osage Casino Hotel in Ponca City
The Osage Casino Hotel in Ponca City, Oklahoma, is a big entertainment spot. It officially opened its doors on December 23, 2013. This location has a large area for games, a hotel, a restaurant, and a convenience store. It is open all day and night, every day of the week. This casino is located right off Highway 60. It is the closest gaming center for people living in or near Ponca City. The facility has 345 gaming machines for visitors to enjoy.
The History of Osage Casinos
The Osage Nation first called their casino business the Osage Million Dollar Elm. They changed the name to Osage Casino in 2011. The original name was a nod to an important part of their history.
The Million Dollar Elm
In 1922, the Osage Tribe held special events called mineral auctions. These auctions took place outdoors, under a large tree in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. This tree became known as the "Million Dollar Elm." At these auctions, the Osage Nation would lease their oil and natural gas lands. This meant that oil companies could pay to drill for oil on Osage land.
More than $1 million worth of Osage oil leases were sold there. Important people, like Frank Phillips and E.W. Marland, who started huge oil companies, came to bid in person. Reporters and writers started calling it the "Million Dollar Elm" because of how exciting and big these auctions were.
Other Osage Casino Locations
The Osage Nation has opened several other casino locations over the years. Each one offers different features and services to its guests.
- Osage Casino-Hominy: This location opened in 2001 near Hominy, Oklahoma. It was updated and made bigger in 2005. This allowed for more electronic gaming devices and table games.
- Osage Casino-Pawhuska: This casino started operating in June 2003. It is located east of Pawhuska, Oklahoma.
- Osage Casino-Sand Springs: This casino first opened in July 2004. It was completely renovated in June 2012. The updates improved the air quality, gaming areas, and overall comfort for guests. This 25,000-square-foot casino has over 600 modern electronic gaming devices. It also features a Player’s Club, a food court, a bar and lounge, a gift shop, and parking for 500 vehicles. It is located near Sand Springs, Oklahoma.
- Osage Casino-Tulsa: This location is the closest gaming and entertainment spot to downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma.
- Osage Casino-Bartlesville: This casino opened in March 2007. It is located west of Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
- Osage Casino Hotel-Skiatook: A special ceremony was held on September 26, 2012, to start building this location. It includes a 33-room hotel, a conference center, a convenience store, and a new 78,000-square-foot casino. The Osage Casino Hotel in Skiatook, Oklahoma, officially opened on December 9, 2013.
