All DestinationsOsage County, Oklahoma
A charming small town known for its annual Bigheart Day celebration, the World's Only Main Street Oil Well, and a welcoming community spirit in the heart of Osage County.
“Oil heritage, wide skies, and a small town that still knows how to throw a festival.”
Highlights
About Barnsdall
Barnsdall started life as Bigheart — named for Chief James Bigheart of the Osage Nation — before being rechristened for oilman Theodore N. Barnsdall during the Oklahoma oil boom. Today it's a small town with a proud heritage and a community that knows how to celebrate it.
Every year on the Saturday before Memorial Day, Barnsdall celebrates Bigheart Day — named for the town's original name and for Chief James Bigheart. Expect a parade down Main Street, a kids' fishing derby at Birch Lake, and fireworks to close out the night. Stop by the World's Only Main Street Oil Well while you're downtown.
The land around Barnsdall helped fuel a nation. The town's boom-era buildings and oil history tell the story of a moment when Osage County was at the center of the American oil industry — and the Osage Nation became the wealthiest people per capita on Earth.
Plan Your Visit
Osage County Tourism
Our tourism office is happy to help you plan the perfect visit.
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