Located in north central Oklahoma, it lies 18 miles (29 km) south of the Kansas border and 15 miles (24 km) east of Interstate 35. The population was 25,919 at the 2000 census, making it the largest city in Kay County. The city is near the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River and Kaw Lake which provide recreational opportunities. Ponca City is served by Ponca City Regional Airport.
Ponca City was founded in 1893 as New Ponca after the Cherokee Outlet was opened for settlement in the Cherokee Strip land run, the largest land run in United States history.
The site for Ponca City was selected because of its proximity to the Arkansas River and a fresh water spring near the river. The city was founded by Burton Barnes who drew up the first survey of the city and sold lottery tickets for the lots he had surveyed. After the drawing for lots in the city was completed, Barnes was elected the city's first mayor.
Another city, Cross, vied with Ponca City to become the leading city in the area. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway had originally opened a station in Cross and refused to open one in Ponca City saying the two cities were too close to warrant another station. Citizens of Ponca City jacked up the train depot in Cross and moved it to Ponca City in the dead of night making Ponca City the railroad connection. Cross was later incorporated into Ponca City.
To learn more about Ponca City, Oklahoma, visit the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce.