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Unearthing the Real Oklahoma Story: Where ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ Happened

Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” isn’t just a movie; it’s a journey back to a chilling chapter in American history. Based on David Grann’s gripping book, the film plunges us into 1920s Oklahoma, smack-dab in the heart of the Osage Nation reservation. What unfolded there was nothing short of a nightmare: the Reign of Terror, a string of murders that targeted the Osage people after they struck black gold – oil – on their land.

But who were the Osage? Well, they call themselves Wazhazhe, meaning ‘Middle Waters’, and they’re a proud Midwestern Native American nation with roots stretching back to the Ohio and Mississippi river valleys. Picture this: around 1620, they called those valleys home, but conflicts pushed them westward in the 17th century.

Osage County: More Than Just a Backdrop

Osage County, Oklahoma, is the story, really. It’s not just where the film’s set; it is the Osage Nation Reservation. Back in the 1800s, the Osage weren’t just given this land; they bought it – a whopping 1,470,000 acres. And here’s the kicker: they held onto the mineral rights. Talk about a smart move! When oil gushed forth in 1894, the Osage became, almost overnight, some of the wealthiest people on the planet.

You’ll see key towns in the movie, places that were central to the real-life drama:

• Pawhuska: This is the county seat, the heart of Osage County, and home to the Osage Nation’s government. The film crew practically lived here, transforming the historic downtown into a 1920s time capsule. I can almost picture those lease sales happening under the shade of that legendary elm tree on Ki-He-Kah Hill – the “Million Dollar Elm,” they called it.
• Fairfax: This is where the real story went down. While Pawhuska got the Hollywood treatment to look like Fairfax for filming, Mollie and Ernest’s actual house still stands at 144 North 4th Street. Makes you wonder what those walls have seen, doesn’t it?
• Hominy: One of the original settlements the Osage established after being forced to move. It’s a reminder of their resilience and determination to rebuild their lives.

The “Reign of Terror”: Greed and Betrayal

Let’s rewind a bit. By the early 1800s, the Osage were the power players in the region. But after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the U.S. government started claiming their land, leading to forced removals and loss. It wasn’t until 1872 that the Osage Nation Reservation was officially established. Then, in 1906, the Osage Allotment Act sealed the deal: the Osage kept those mineral rights.

Now, the “Reign of Terror.” This wasn’t just a few isolated incidents; it was a systematic slaughter in the 1920s. Osage people were being murdered left and right, all for their land and oil money. It’s sickening to think about: outsiders, some even marrying into Osage families, were plotting these crimes. This dark period even marked one of the FBI’s first major cases.

Walking in Their Footsteps: The Filming Locations

The cameras rolled from April to October 2021, all across Osage and Washington counties. Over 50 locations were used, a mix of real buildings and sets built from scratch. Besides the towns we’ve already talked about, here’s where else they filmed:

• Bartlesville: This was base camp. They built sets in a hangar at the city airport.
• Hughes Ranch: Just outside Bartlesville, this ranch became William Hale’s house and hideout. They even filmed an oil derrick field and a chilling murder scene there.

Scorsese knew he had to film in Oklahoma. He wanted to get the details right, to honor the people and the history. “Killers of the Flower Moon” isn’t just a movie; it’s a powerful, unflinching look at a tragedy that should never be forgotten. It’s a story that stays with you long after the credits roll.