Pioneers of 1889
Pioneers of 1889, or simply 1889, is an outdoor bronze sculpture by artist Leonard McMurry and landscape architect Thomas Roberts, installed in Oklahoma City, in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Description and history. The artwork was copyrighted on February 25, 1957, completed in 1959, and dedicated on April 22, 1960. The sculpture depicts two settlers, including a young boy on a horse and a man. It measures approximately 9 ft. 5 in. x 5 ft. 9 in. x 10 ft. 6 in. and rests on a polished granite base measuring approximately 7 ft. 3 in. x 6  ft. 9 in. x 10 ft. 6 in. A plaque on the west side of the base reads: "STRONG MEN AND WOMEN CAME UPON A RAW LAND / WITH VISION... / THEY SPANNED RIVERS AND PRAIRIES AND MOUNTAINS/WITH DETERMINATION... / THEY CREATED SCHOOLS-CHURCHES-FARMS-FACTORIES / THEY LIFTED GREAT BUILDINGS TO THE SKIES / THEY DRILLED DEEP WELLS INTO OIL RICH EARTH / WITH THANKFULNESS TO THEIR GOD... / THEY ARE STILL PIONEERING-STILL ACHIEVING / AND STILL EXPLORING FUTURE FRONTIERS / PASSERBY-LOOK ABOUT AND ASK THIS QUESTION / WHERE ELSE WITHIN A SINGLE LIFE SPAN / HAS MAN BUILT SO MIGHTLY / M.G.T." Another plaque on the base  reads: "THIS STATUE COMMEMORATES THE PIONEERS OF 1889 / PRESENTED TO THE '89ERS AND THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA / BY / MR. AND MRS. B.D. EDDIE / APRIL 22, 1960 / LEONARD MCMURRY / SCULPTOR."