Centennial Land Run Monument is a monumental outdoor bronze sculpture installation at 200 Centennial Ave in the Bricktown Entertainment District of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Created by Oklahoma sculptor Paul Moore to honor the state’s 2007 centennial and completed in 2019, this public art park commemorates the opening of the Unassigned Lands in Oklahoma Territory during the historic Land Run of April 22, 1889. Spanning approximately 365 feet along the southern terminus of the Bricktown Canal, the free attraction draws history enthusiasts, art admirers, and photographers with one of the largest figurative bronze sculptures in the world.
What to Expect at Centennial Land Run Monument
As you walk along the landscaped brick pathways at the south end of the Bricktown Canal, you encounter 45 larger-than-life bronze figures cast at 1.5 times life-size scale. Sculptor Paul Moore spent nearly two decades designing and casting the individual pieces, capturing a single chaotic instant after the starting cannon fired at high noon on April 22, 1889. The installation stretches across both sides of the canal channel, allowing visitors to walk directly beside covered wagons, straining draft horses, riders on horseback, and homesteaders racing on foot to stake a 160-acre claim.
Every figure and wagon is packed with period-accurate 19th-century frontier details. An overturned supply wagon spills cast-bronze household goods, cast-iron cookware, barrels, and farming tools onto the turf, while an anxious dog barks beside the spinning wheels. A pedestrian footbridge crosses the water directly behind the central stampede, giving visitors an elevated vantage point where the horses and wagons appear to splash straight across the canal water. Interpretive plaques positioned along the walkway explain the historical context of the 1889 run, the artist’s casting process, and the individual characters depicted in the ensemble. You can review visitor updates and neighborhood maps through Visit Oklahoma City’s official monument listing.
- 45 Heroic-Scale Bronze Figures: The installation includes 24 horses, riders, families, a soldier firing the starting cannon, and three dogs, all sculpted at one-and-a-half times life size with expressive facial details and windblown clothing.
- The Canal Water Crossing: Several bronze horses and a covered wagon are installed directly in the shallow water at the southern end of the Bricktown Canal, creating dynamic reflections and the illusion of an active river crossing.
- Overturned Homestead Wagon: One of the most detailed vignettes portrays a wagon tipping mid-race, scattering finely sculpted frontier provisions, heirloom furniture, and tools across the embankment.
- The Starting Cannon & Cavalryman: At the rear of the procession stands the U.S. Cavalry soldier and cannon that signaled the noon start of the April 22, 1889 rush into the Unassigned Lands.
- Bricktown Water Taxi Turnaround: The basin immediately north of the sculptures is the southern turnaround point for the Bricktown Water Taxi, where narrated canal boats pause so passengers can view the bronzes from water level.
Centennial Land Run Monument at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 Centennial Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Lower Bricktown / South End of the Bricktown Canal |
| Operating Hours | Open daily, 24 hours a day (daylight hours recommended for best viewing) |
| Admission / Price Range | Free public admission ($) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 30 to 45 minutes |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Adjacent surface parking lot on Centennial Ave off E Reno Ave; Oklahoma City Streetcar Bricktown stops within a 5-minute walk |
| Official Website & Phone | visitokc.com | +1 405-297-8912 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Although the city park remains open 24 hours a day year-round, visiting during daylight hours—especially during the golden hour just after sunrise or an hour before sunset—brings out the deep patina and intricate textures of the bronze castings. To reach the monument by car, turn south onto Centennial Avenue from East Reno Avenue right between the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World and the Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown/Bricktown; a dedicated surface parking lot sits immediately east of the sculptures. Travelers using public transit can ride the Oklahoma City Streetcar along the Downtown or Bricktown Loop and disembark at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark stop, then stroll south along the canal path for about seven minutes.
The park is paved with wide, level brick and concrete walkways and gently sloped ramps, making it easily navigable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and strollers, with benches along the canal wall for resting. Leashed dogs are welcome along the outdoor paths. After exploring the sculptures, walk north along the Bricktown Canal Riverwalk to dine at waterfront patios along Mickey Mantle Drive, catch an Oklahoma City Comets Triple-A baseball game at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, or head 10 minutes west to Scissortail Park and the Myriad Botanical Gardens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening hours and best time to visit the Centennial Land Run Monument?
The Centennial Land Run Monument is a public city park open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Morning and late afternoon daylight hours offer the best natural lighting for examining the facial expressions and period details of the 45 bronze figures without harsh midday glare.
How much does it cost to visit the Centennial Land Run Monument?
Admission to the Centennial Land Run Monument is completely free for all visitors, and no tickets or reservations are required. Paid and public parking spaces are located immediately east of the site off Centennial Avenue.
How much time should I budget for the Centennial Land Run Monument?
Most visitors spend 30 to 45 minutes walking both sides of the 365-foot sculpture trail, crossing the canal footbridge, and reading the historical plaques. If you combine the stop with a 40-minute narrated ride on the Bricktown Water Taxi, plan for about 90 minutes in Lower Bricktown.
Is the Centennial Land Run Monument wheelchair accessible and family-friendly?
Yes, the monument grounds feature step-free paved walkways, wide viewing plazas, and gradual ramps connecting the parking area to the canal trail. Families with children and visitors with leashed pets will find plenty of open space to view the sculptures up close.
When planning your Oklahoma City travel guide or browsing verified attractions in Oklahoma City, pair this stop with standout local spots including AC Hotel Oklahoma City Bricktown, Ambassador Hotel Oklahoma City, Autograph Collection, Oklahoma History Center, and Hampton Inn & Suites Oklahoma City-Bricktown (0.6 km away).
