Editing Shawnee, Oklahoma (section)

==Culture==
[[File:Heart of Oklahoma Expo. Center.JPG|thumb|The Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center's main pavilion]]
[[File:IFYR Rodeo-Shawnee, Oklahoma.JPG|thumb|International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Oklahoma]]

The Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center, opened in 1981, now boasts {{convert|152400|sqft|m2}} of exhibit space, a {{convert|19200|sqft|m2|adj=on}} indoor arena that seats 1,000, an outdoor arena seating 7,500, and an RV park, all on {{convert|72|acre|m2}}. Since 1993, the O.E. Center has been the host of the International Finals Youth Rodeo (IFYR), the "richest youth rodeo in the world," with a total prize payout of over $250,000; over 1,100 young riders register for the event each year.

The [[Citizen Potawatomi Nation]], the ninth largest Native American tribe in the United States with 26,000 members, is headquartered between Shawnee and [[Tecumseh, Oklahoma|Tecumseh.]] Their Firelake Casino features over {{convert|125000|sqft|m2}} of gaming space and employs 1,800 people.

===Airport===
The [[Shawnee Regional Airport]] has a {{convert|6000|ft|adj=on}} asphalt lighted runway with self-services available seven days a week.
Shawnee has had an airport, private pilot training and air service since the 1920s. May 7, 1919, the city commission discussed constructing an air field, with several locations offered but settled on the old city farm where the fire horses were kept. Business and civic leaders cooperated with aviation companies in the construction of a modern airport. Graham Flying service operated the facility in the beginning then sold it to Curtiss Flying Service. An Aviation Committee of the Chamber of Commerce brought in several air shows including parachute jumps. In 1930 L.E. Regan purchased the Shawnee Municipal Airport and provided flying lessons, passenger trips and an aviation club. Shawnee was one of the hot spots in the state for aviation and was host to a visit from Amelia Earhart in 1931. The city was part of the  Oklahoma Short Line Airways Company with air passenger service in and out daily. With the coming of [[World War II]], civilian fliers were automatically grounded in December 1941 until they took an oath of allegiance, were fingerprinted and presented a birth certificate. City officials went to Washington to offer Shawnee as a site for one of the many military training bases which would be needed as the country headed into the war. Meanwhile, the citizens of Shawnee overwhelmingly passed a bond issue for $200,000 to match the $285,000 allocated by the federal government to build a local base. The Shawnee Municipal Airport was moved to a site north of town. April 1943 the erection of the Shawnee Navy base was begun and by August the first sailors began arriving. First plans for the base was to be an auxiliary extension for the base at Norman but later was named as Shawnee Naval Air Station, a school for navigators. Then abruptly in March 1945 all Navy personnel and equipment were moved to the Clinton OK base because of the limited land available to expand. Shawnee's NAS was put in caretaker status and the equipment was sold off as surplus, much of it going to the City of Shawnee and its citizens. The Shawnee Municipal Airport was returned to its original site in 1946 where it remains today.<ref>U.S. Department of the Navy, Shawnee News-Star</ref>

'''Terminal'''
[[File:Airport Terminal for Shawnee Municipal Airport in Shawnee, Oklahoma.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Shawnee Regional Airport]] Main Terminal]]

On August 29, 2011, the City of Shawnee opened a new terminal building replacing the terminal built in the 1950s. The modern, two-story design, is approximately 4,000 square feet. [[Governor of Oklahoma]] [[Mary Fallin]] was the featured speaker during the official opening praising Shawnee officials for their determination in getting the project started, funded and completed led by former Shawnee Mayor Chuck Mills. [[Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission]] Director Victor Bird also addressed the crowd saying "It's a far cry from what was here just one year ago."

The new terminal includes offices, lounges, a large conference room space upstairs that doubles as an observation deck. A $325,000 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Authority paid for a large sum of the more than $965,000 it took to build the new terminal building.
The Aeronautics Commission also provided a $275,000 state grant to help in the construction costs, while the City of Shawnee paid for the remaining amount. From 2008 to 2011, the Shawnee Regional Airport received nearly $8 million in state and federal grants for various [[runway]] and [[taxiway]] improvements.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ok.gov/OAC/Shawnee_New_Airport_Terminal.html |title=Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission - Shawnee New Airport Terminal |access-date=2012-05-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724205745/http://www.ok.gov/OAC/Shawnee_New_Airport_Terminal.html |archive-date=2012-07-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

'''Sister City – Nikaho, Japan'''
[[File:Japanese Peace Garden in Shawnee, Oklahoma.JPG|thumb|upright|Bridge of Understanding at the Japanese Peace Garden]]

At the southeastern edge of the airport is a commemorative [[Japanese garden|Japanese International Peace Garden]]
A "Bridge of Understanding" and a gravel area with several Oriental-style stone ornamentation. A plaque at the bridge states: "Shawnee  Nikaho/Bridge of Understanding/is dedicated to the memory of Mayor Pierre Taron/a strong proponent of Sister Cities. "There is a [[gazebo]] approximately 15&nbsp;ft. by 18&nbsp;ft. with a gravel and stone floor. In the center is a wood picnic table with benches for seating on each side. The roof is wood shingled and colorful flowers are planted around the outside of the gazebo which is dedicated to the [[Sister Cities International]] program between Shawnee and Nikaho, Japan. In 1987, a Japanese manufacturing company, [[TDK]], opened a factory in Shawnee which locally manufactures [[ferrite (magnet)|ferrite magnets]] for electronic motors. The mayor of Shawnee at that time, Pierre F. Taron, Jr., sought to establish a [[Sister City]] relationship between Shawnee, Oklahoma, U.S.A. and [[Nikaho, Akita|Nikaho, Japan]]. Each year, citizens of each town visit the other town, to renew ties, exchange gifts, and spend time learning about the other's culture. The delegations stay with local host families.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMA3WJ_Bridge_of_Understanding_Shawnee_OK|title=Bridge of Understanding - Shawnee, OK - Sister City Monuments on Waymarking.com|website=www.waymarking.com|access-date=April 7, 2018}}</ref>

===Museums and Theatre===
[[File:Ritznight.jpg|thumb|upright|Ritz Theater in downtown Shawnee]]

The Pottawatomie County Historical Society maintains a museum of the railroad history in the county as well as displaying other artifacts of the area  in the former Santa Fe Depot, downtown at 614 E Main.

The [[Citizen Potawatomi Nation]] operates a ''Cultural Heritage Center'' which houses tribal rolls, archives, and gift shop. The institution also interprets and presents exhibits of Potawatomi culture. Located between Shawnee and Tecumseh.

The [[Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art]], located on Oklahoma Baptist University's Green Campus (the former campus of St. Gregory's University) is one of the oldest museums in Oklahoma. Its collections include Egyptian, Medieval, Renaissance, Contemporary, and Native American items.

Shawnee Little Theater and OBU have organized seasons of theater programs in Shawnee.

===Parks and recreation===
[[File:Oklahoma Veteran's Memorial-Woodland Park, Shawnee, Oklahoma.JPG|thumb|upright|Oklahoma Veteran's Memorial in Woodland Veteran's Park]]

The City of Shawnee maintains ''Shawnee Twin Lakes'', which are located to the west of the city.

Shawnee has numerous small parks within the city.

'''Larch&ndash;Miller Park''' is located in  the 900 block of North Broadway. The park was dedicated to [[Aloysius Larch-Miller]] who fought for women's suffrage and was head of the ratification committee fighting for a special session to ratify the [[Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Nineteenth Amendment]]. Although sick with influenza, and against advice, Larch-Miller debated Oklahoma Attorney General [[Sargent Prentiss Freeling]]. She won a majority of support but the strain took its toll and she died on February 2, 1920. A monument was erected in the park to honor her by [[Carrie Chapman Catt]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/layersmedia/docs/so_nov14web|title=A Martyr to the Cause |date=Nov 3, 2014|website=www.Issuu.com |access-date=April 15, 2019|page=25}} From the Shawnee Outlook November 2014</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/vote_2018_sm3.pdf|title=Ratification: The Final Drive That Won the 19th Amendment |author=National Women’s History Project}}</ref>

'''Woodland Veteran's Memorial Park''' is two blocks north of Main street. First built in 1905, the park originally featured fountains and sunken gardens and was the site of frequent [[Chautauqua|Chautauqua meetings]] led by such people as [[William Jennings Bryan]]. In 1905, the [[Carnegie library]] was built on the southwest corner of the park (currently the District Attorney's office of [[Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma]]). There is also a Veteran's memorial in the southeast corner as well that features a helicopter once used during the [[Korean War]]. The park also features the Splash Pad that opened in 2015 replacing the large Municipal swimming pool which had been built by the PWA in 1936. The stone-constructed locker room remains from the pool.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://shawneeok.org/publications/files/Aquatic%20Center%20Brochure.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-01-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819044649/http://shawneeok.org/publications/files/Aquatic%20Center%20Brochure.pdf |archive-date=2014-08-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://shawneeok.org/ShawneeSplash/|title=Shawnee Splash!|website=shawneeok.org|access-date=April 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212084613/http://www.shawneeok.org/ShawneeSplash/|archive-date=2018-02-12|url-status=dead}}</ref> The park also features two tennis courts located on the east side of the park and has a playground area and a stage with metal bleachers used for special events throughout the year. There are numerous stone and concrete picnic tables, some over eighty years old. A small sculpture of a [[bald eagle]] atop a sphere on the north edge and a miniature version of the [[Statue of Liberty]] face Highland street.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM9PY8_Woodland_Veterans_Park_Shawnee_OK|title=Woodland Veterans Park - Shawnee, OK - Municipal Parks and Plazas on Waymarking.com|website=www.waymarking.com|access-date=April 7, 2018}}</ref>

'''Briscoe Boy Scout Park''' named in honor of Dick Briscoe, a long-time Boy Scout leader in Shawnee, – located at East Main and Pesotum streets. It features a splash pad, two basketball courts, two tennis courts, a playground for children, picnic tables with BBQ grills and a walking track around the park.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

'''Red Bud Park''' – located at the intersection of Beard and Dill and to the west of Larch-Miller park. This park was constructed after the devastating flood of Shawnee Creek that ran through the area in 1928. The picturesque park features a large drainage ditch lined with local stone, many large trees, playground equipment and a wrought-iron entrance sign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eastoklahoma.worldweb.com/ShawneeOK/SightsAttractions/ParksGardens/|title=Shawnee Parks: 23 Parks & Gardens in Shawnee, Oklahoma|website=www.eastoklahoma.worldweb.com|access-date=April 7, 2018}}</ref>

Shawnee is home to three wellness facilities.
* Troy & Dollie Smith Family [[YMCA of the USA|YMCA]]
* Recreation and Wellness Center, on the Campus of [[Oklahoma Baptist University]]
* Firelake Fitness Center, operated by the [[Citizen Potawatomi Nation]]

===Sports===
{{unreferenced section|date=November 2020}}
Shawnee has a rich sports history that reaches back before statehood. The first report of a town baseball team was in 1902. There has since been organized baseball, from sandlot to minor league teams. In the early days of Shawnee, businesses such as the Rock Island shops and civic organizations promoted teams in the Twilight League. In 1929 and '30 Shawnee was home to the Robins, a St. Louis Cardinal minor league team and part of the Western Association. Several Robins went on to play MLB, including [[Bob Klinger]] (Pirates), [[Ival Goodman]] (Reds, Cubs), [[Lefty Smith|Alfred "Lefty" Smith]] (Giants, Phillies, Indians), [[Ray Starr]] (Cardinals, Giants, Braves, Reds, Pirates, Cubs) and [[Fritz Ostermueller]] (Red Sox, Browns, Dodgers, Pirates), who was depicted in the [[Jackie Robinson]] film "[[42 (film)|42]]."

The Brooklyn Dodgers provided Shawnee with a Class D minor league in the Sooner State League from 1950 to 1957. The Hawks competed against McAlester, Ardmore, Pauls Valley, Lawton, Seminole and Sherman and Paris, Texas. The most well-known major leaguers to get their start with the Hawks were [[Don Demeter]], a Dodger pitcher from Oklahoma City and [[Stan Williams (baseball)|Stan Williams]] (Dodgers, Yankees, Indians and Twins).

Shawnee also hosted two spring training games between major league teams at Athletic Field (now called Memorial Park). In 1937 the New York Giants and Cleveland Indians played and brought in the Giants leading pitchers, Carl Hubbell, who was from the nearby community of Meeker. The following year the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago White Sox also played a game in Shawnee. Cy Blanton, who lived in Shawnee and had played for the Robins, and Paul and Loyd Waner from nearby McLoud, were members of the Giants' squad.

At least 34 Major League Baseball players have connections to Shawnee, either by birth, or having played on a local team or lived in town at one time. Eighteen with ties to Shawnee have played professional football and ten local athletes have participated in pro basketball.

Shawnee High School has also had a colorful sports history. Records from as early as 1906 are found for football and baseball. Over the years the football team has won the state title three times, the most recent was in 2003. Several SHS grads have gone on to play NFL football over the years, most notedly  Darrien Gordon, a 1989 grad, who played in three Super Bowls, one with the San Diego Chargers and two with the Denver Broncos. Notably, since the year 2000, SHS has won seven state championships, two in baseball, one in girls' basketball, two in boys' cross country, one in boys' track and one in girls' track. The high school provides excellent facilities with Jim Thorpe Stadium, Memorial Park, softball field and the Shawnee Performing Arts Center combo which includes a state-of-the art gym.

Shawnee offers youth sports of all variety either through the YMCA or the Shawnee Sports Association. There are also three golf courses, several tennis courts, two bowling alleys, Lion's Club baseball park and a softball complex at Firelake. Shawnee briefly hosted the Shawnee Warriors, a semi-pro football team that competed in the Oklahoma Metro Football League competing as the Millers, affiliated with the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz, a minor league pro arena team that season.

Shawnee is home to the Potawatomi Fire of [[The Basketball League]] (TBL), which plays at FireLake Arena and won league titles in 2023 and 2024.