Gardner Mansion

Jan and I toured the Gardner Mansion located near Broken Bow, Oklahoma. The mansion was built in 1884 for Jefferson Gardner who was chief of the Choctaws from 1894-96. The mansion is near the Choctaw Trail of Tears. In order to tour the mansion we had to honk the horn on the jeep and Lewis Stiles came out of his home and gave us a private tour. He is an interesting gentleman. He was a vet for the state of Oklahoma. His parents owned the mansion when Lewis was young. Lewis and his family lived in the mansion for 5 years while he was building the house next door. Lewis collects various kinds of artifacts - something he did with his father as he was growing up. He has filled the mansion with his "treasures" from the Civil War, Indians, animals, and insects. His collection of hornet's nests is the best I've ever seen. Jan and I agree that the cost of the tour, $5 each, was well worth it.


Gardner Mansion


This pot was used in the making of salt.


Stove located in the kitchen.


There are cypress tress on the property.