Washington Irving (named after George Washington) had many interests, including writing, architecture and landscape design, traveling and diplomacy. However, he is best known as the first American to make a living solely from writing.
After many years of travel and life in Europe, he returned to America to establish his home in Tarrytown, New York, which he called Sunnyside Manor. This outdoor amphitheatre replicates the front of Sunnyside.
In search of new exciting writing material, Irving joined the Ellsworth-Bean government expedition to the American West, which included a 31-day, 350-mile circular tour of central Oklahoma. In mid-October 1832, he camped in the area which is now Bixby, Oklahoma.
The book which resulted from this expedition, A TOUR ON THE PRAIRIES, can be considered standard fare for students of Oklahoma history. A TOUR ON THE PRAIRIES, ASTORIA and THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN BONNEVILLE were the first three popular
“I was always found of visiting new scenes and observing strange characters and manners. Even when a mere child, I began my travels and made many tours of discovery into foreign parts and unknown regions of my native city…”. Introduction to THE SKETCH-BOOK OF GEOFFREY CRAYON, GENT.
list of markers that are related to this marker.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1819.
Location. 35° 57.789′ N, 95° 53.308′ W. Marker is in Bixby, Oklahoma, in Tulsa County. Marker can be reached from South Memorial Drive (U.S. 64), on the left when traveling north. Marker is located within the Washington Irving Memorial Park and Arboretum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13700 South Memorial Drive, Bixby OK 74008, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Washington Irving’s Camp (within shouting distance of this marker); Sieling Park (approx. 8.4 miles away); Tulsa Oklahoma World War Memorial (approx. 8.7 miles away); The University of Oklahoma Schusterman Learning Center (approx. 9.7 miles away); David L. Boren Boulevard (approx. 9.7 miles away); University of Oklahoma Schusterman Center (approx. 9.8 miles away); Schusterman Center Clinic (approx. 9.9 miles away); Tulsa's First Post Office (approx. 10.8 miles away).
Also see . . . Washington Irving. (Submitted on June 5, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 152 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 5, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.