Duncan, Oklahoma
Encyclopedia
Duncan is a city in Stephens County
, Oklahoma
, United States
. The population was 23,431 at the 2010 census
. It is the county seat
of Stephens County
.
The official birthdate of the town is considered to be when the first train arrived there on June 27, 1892. Statehood in 1907 turned the town into the county seat and a number of oil wells in Stephens County led to Duncan's rapid development in 1918.
The Chisholm Trail
passed to the east of Duncan prior to the town's founding. An estimated 9,800,000 Longhorn cattle were herded up the trail between Texas
and Abilene, Kansas
during its existence. After learning that an extension of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad
was being built from Kansas
to Texas
, Scotsman William Duncan brought his wife, parents, and other relatives and created a trading post situated at the intersection of the north-south Chisholm Trail and the east-west military passage between Fort Arbuckle
and Fort Sill
. The first train arrived on June 27, 1892; that date is considered the official birthdate of the town.
Many of the city's first buildings were woodframe, but were replaced by sandstone and brick structures after natural disasters destroyed them. Four fires in 1901 burned down several buildings.
Centrally located in Stephens County
, Duncan became the county seat after Oklahoma achieved statehood in 1907. As a compromise between residents of the northern and southern parts of the county, the county courthouse was located in the middle of Duncan's Main Street, half of it in the northern part of the city and county and half in the southern. Main Street made a wide circle around it on both ends.
Oil wells opened in Stephens County in 1918 and led to rapid development in Duncan. Shacks were prohibited immediately following the opening of the wells and other regulations were also put in place to channel the growth in an organized manner.
Several Tudor Revival style homes were built in the 1930s. Works Progress Administration projects meant to rebuild the economy after the Great Depression
resulted in a public library, a senior high school, a stadium, a pool, a school and auditorium for the black community, an armory, and numerous bridges and sidewalks.
Duncan expanded its city limits during an economic surge brought on by World War II. Towards the end of this period, the downtown area began to see a decline.
Duncan is located at 34°31′0"N 97°56′58"W (34.516619, -97.949377). The town is situated approximately 30 miles East of Lawton, Oklahoma
and 90 miles Southwest of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
along US Highway 81.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 46 square miles (119.1 km²). 38.8 square miles (100.5 km²) of it is land and 7.2 square miles (18.6 km²) of it (15.67%) is water.
Duncan is known for crapemyrtle trees, Oklahoma prairie and rich farmland. State lawmakers designated the city as Oklahoma's official "Crapemyrtle Capital". Oklahoma's grasslands are made up of shortgrass, mixed-grass and tallgrass prairie. The city is part of the Great Plains and has multiple lakes. The city has four lakes.
Duncan receives 34 inches of rain per year, but only five inches of snowfall. The city also receives an average of 241 sunny days per year. It lies 1,128 feet above sea level.
Duncan's buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places
include the Johnson Hotel and Boarding House, the Chrislip House, the Duncan Armory, the Patterson Hospital and the old Duncan library. The downtown area lies between Walnut and Willow avenues, from the railroad tracks to State Highway 81.
of 2000, there were 22,505 people, 9,406 households, and 6,424 families residing in the city. The population density
was 580.2 inhabitants per square mile (224.0/km²). There were 10,795 housing units at an average density of 278.3 per square mile (107.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.48% White, 1.07% African American, 2.95% Native American
, 0.47% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander
, 2.36% from other races, and 2.63% from two or more races. Hispanic
or Latino
of any race were 5.99% of the population.
There were 9,406 households out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,373, and the median income for a family was $37,080. Males had a median income of $31,173 versus $19,731 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,643. About 28.7% of families and 27.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 42.8% of those age 65 or over.
Duncan once adopted the slogan, "The Buckle on the Oil Belt". Its main claim to fame is as the birthplace of the Halliburton Corporation. Erle P. Halliburton
perfected a new method of cementing wells, making oil production much easier and more profitable, and established the New Method Oil Well Cementing Company in 1919. He died in 1957, at which time the company had 201 offices in 22 states and 20 foreign countries. Halliburton maintains seven different complexes in Duncan plus an employee recreational park, but the corporate offices relocated first to Dallas and later to Houston.
Halliburton
operates the Halliburton Technology Center in Duncan. In 2010 Halliburton announced that 150 jobs in the center will move to Houston over the following two years.
Agriculture has always played a part in Duncan's economy. Cotton was a dominant crop until the Dust Bowl
brought about a reduction in its role. Cattle remains an important part of Duncan's economy.
The city has been home to a number of banks and doctors since its early settlement and both continue to be well-represented today.
The city holds an annual county fair and top-rated livestock events year round. Other annual events include the Trail Dance Film Festival, Cruizin’ the Chisholm Trail Car and Motorcycle Show, the Chisholm Trail Stampede, Summerfest with the World’s Largest Garage Sale and the Western Spirit Celebration.
Stephens County, Oklahoma
Stephens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 43,182. Its county seat is Duncan.-Geography:According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,308 km²...
, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 23,431 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Stephens County
Stephens County, Oklahoma
Stephens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 43,182. Its county seat is Duncan.-Geography:According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,308 km²...
.
The official birthdate of the town is considered to be when the first train arrived there on June 27, 1892. Statehood in 1907 turned the town into the county seat and a number of oil wells in Stephens County led to Duncan's rapid development in 1918.
History
Chisholm Trail
The Chisholm Trail was a trail used in the late 19th century to drive cattle overland from ranches in Texas to Kansas railheads. The portion of the trail marked by Jesse Chisholm went from his southern trading post near the Red River, to his northern trading post near Kansas City, Kansas...
passed to the east of Duncan prior to the town's founding. An estimated 9,800,000 Longhorn cattle were herded up the trail between Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and Abilene, Kansas
Abilene, Kansas
Abilene is a city in and the county seat of Dickinson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 6,844.-History:...
during its existence. After learning that an extension of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad
The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad was a Class I railroad in the United States. It was also known as the Rock Island Line, or, in its final years, The Rock.-Incorporation:...
was being built from Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
to Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, Scotsman William Duncan brought his wife, parents, and other relatives and created a trading post situated at the intersection of the north-south Chisholm Trail and the east-west military passage between Fort Arbuckle
Fort Arbuckle
Not to be confused with Old Fort Arbuckle , a site in Tulsa County, Oklahoma.Fort Arbuckle was a United States military fort near Hoover, Oklahoma....
and Fort Sill
Fort Sill
Fort Sill is a United States Army post near Lawton, Oklahoma, about 85 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.Today, Fort Sill remains the only active Army installation of all the forts on the South Plains built during the Indian Wars...
. The first train arrived on June 27, 1892; that date is considered the official birthdate of the town.
Many of the city's first buildings were woodframe, but were replaced by sandstone and brick structures after natural disasters destroyed them. Four fires in 1901 burned down several buildings.
Centrally located in Stephens County
Stephens County, Oklahoma
Stephens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 43,182. Its county seat is Duncan.-Geography:According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,308 km²...
, Duncan became the county seat after Oklahoma achieved statehood in 1907. As a compromise between residents of the northern and southern parts of the county, the county courthouse was located in the middle of Duncan's Main Street, half of it in the northern part of the city and county and half in the southern. Main Street made a wide circle around it on both ends.
Oil wells opened in Stephens County in 1918 and led to rapid development in Duncan. Shacks were prohibited immediately following the opening of the wells and other regulations were also put in place to channel the growth in an organized manner.
Several Tudor Revival style homes were built in the 1930s. Works Progress Administration projects meant to rebuild the economy after the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
resulted in a public library, a senior high school, a stadium, a pool, a school and auditorium for the black community, an armory, and numerous bridges and sidewalks.
Duncan expanded its city limits during an economic surge brought on by World War II. Towards the end of this period, the downtown area began to see a decline.
Geography
Lawton, Oklahoma
The city of Lawton is the county seat of Comanche County, in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Located in the southwestern region of Oklahoma approximately southwest of Oklahoma City, it is the principal city of the Lawton Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area...
and 90 miles Southwest of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma...
along US Highway 81.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 46 square miles (119.1 km²). 38.8 square miles (100.5 km²) of it is land and 7.2 square miles (18.6 km²) of it (15.67%) is water.
Duncan is known for crapemyrtle trees, Oklahoma prairie and rich farmland. State lawmakers designated the city as Oklahoma's official "Crapemyrtle Capital". Oklahoma's grasslands are made up of shortgrass, mixed-grass and tallgrass prairie. The city is part of the Great Plains and has multiple lakes. The city has four lakes.
Duncan receives 34 inches of rain per year, but only five inches of snowfall. The city also receives an average of 241 sunny days per year. It lies 1,128 feet above sea level.
Duncan's buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
include the Johnson Hotel and Boarding House, the Chrislip House, the Duncan Armory, the Patterson Hospital and the old Duncan library. The downtown area lies between Walnut and Willow avenues, from the railroad tracks to State Highway 81.
Climate
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 22,505 people, 9,406 households, and 6,424 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 580.2 inhabitants per square mile (224.0/km²). There were 10,795 housing units at an average density of 278.3 per square mile (107.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.48% White, 1.07% African American, 2.95% Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, 0.47% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander
Pacific Islander
Pacific Islander , is a geographic term to describe the indigenous inhabitants of any of the three major sub-regions of Oceania: Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia.According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, these three regions, together with their islands consist of:Polynesia:...
, 2.36% from other races, and 2.63% from two or more races. Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
or Latino
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
of any race were 5.99% of the population.
There were 9,406 households out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,373, and the median income for a family was $37,080. Males had a median income of $31,173 versus $19,731 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $17,643. About 28.7% of families and 27.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 42.8% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Erle P. Halliburton
Erle Palmer Halliburton was an American businessman specializing in the oil business....
perfected a new method of cementing wells, making oil production much easier and more profitable, and established the New Method Oil Well Cementing Company in 1919. He died in 1957, at which time the company had 201 offices in 22 states and 20 foreign countries. Halliburton maintains seven different complexes in Duncan plus an employee recreational park, but the corporate offices relocated first to Dallas and later to Houston.
Halliburton
Halliburton
Halliburton is the world's second largest oilfield services corporation with operations in more than 70 countries. It has hundreds of subsidiaries, affiliates, branches, brands and divisions worldwide and employs over 50,000 people....
operates the Halliburton Technology Center in Duncan. In 2010 Halliburton announced that 150 jobs in the center will move to Houston over the following two years.
Agriculture has always played a part in Duncan's economy. Cotton was a dominant crop until the Dust Bowl
Dust Bowl
The Dust Bowl, or the Dirty Thirties, was a period of severe dust storms causing major ecological and agricultural damage to American and Canadian prairie lands from 1930 to 1936...
brought about a reduction in its role. Cattle remains an important part of Duncan's economy.
The city has been home to a number of banks and doctors since its early settlement and both continue to be well-represented today.
Arts and Culture
Duncan is home to the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center. The Stephens County Historical Museum contains displays and artifacts from the land run and early settlement in the area.The city holds an annual county fair and top-rated livestock events year round. Other annual events include the Trail Dance Film Festival, Cruizin’ the Chisholm Trail Car and Motorcycle Show, the Chisholm Trail Stampede, Summerfest with the World’s Largest Garage Sale and the Western Spirit Celebration.
Government
Duncan is governed by a city council composed of the city's mayor and four council members.Education
- Duncan Public SchoolsDuncan Public SchoolsDuncan Public Schools is a public school district located in Duncan, Oklahoma.-Primary Schools:*Emerson Elementary*Plato Elementary*Horace Mann Elementary*Mark Twain Elementary*Woodrow Wilson Elementary*Will Rogers Pre-K*Irving Pre-K-References:...
is Duncan's school district - Red River Technology CenterRed River Technology CenterRed River Technology Center is a public career and technology education center located in Duncan, Oklahoma and is part of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education system.-Student organizations:...
is the city's vocational educationVocational educationVocational education or vocational education and training is an education that prepares trainees for jobs that are based on manual or practical activities, traditionally non-academic, and totally related to a specific trade, occupation, or vocation...
institution. - Cameron UniversityCameron UniversityCameron University is a four-year, state-funded university located in Lawton, Oklahoma, that offers more than 50 degrees through two-year, four-year and graduate programs. The degree programs emphasize the liberal arts, science and technology and graduate and professional studies...
also has a branch in Duncan.
Notable residents
- Jari AskinsJari AskinsJari Askins is an American lawyer and Democratic politician from the US state of Oklahoma. She was the 15th Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma, being the second female and the first Democratic female to hold that position....
(1953– ) - Oklahoma State Representative; Lt. Governor of Oklahoma - Hoyt AxtonHoyt AxtonHoyt Wayne Axton was an American country music singer-songwriter, and a film and television actor. He became prominent in the early 1960s, establishing himself on the West Coast as a folk singer with an earthy style and powerful voice. As he matured, some of his songwriting efforts became well...
(1938–1999) - County Music Singer-Songwriter - Erle P. HalliburtonErle P. HalliburtonErle Palmer Halliburton was an American businessman specializing in the oil business....
(1892–1957) - Founder, HalliburtonHalliburtonHalliburton is the world's second largest oilfield services corporation with operations in more than 70 countries. It has hundreds of subsidiaries, affiliates, branches, brands and divisions worldwide and employs over 50,000 people....
Oil Well Cementing Company - Jean Speegle HowardJean Speegle HowardJean Speegle Howard was an American actress who acted primarily in film and on television. Howard made appearances in over 30 television shows, mostly sitcoms, such as Married.....
(1927–2000) - Actress - Ron HowardRon HowardRonald William "Ron" Howard is an American actor, director, and producer. He came to prominence as a child actor, playing Opie Taylor in the sitcom The Andy Griffith Show for eight years, and later the teenaged Richie Cunningham in the sitcom Happy Days for six years...
(1954– ) - Actor, Director, Producer - Jeane KirkpatrickJeane KirkpatrickJeane Jordan Kirkpatrick was an American ambassador and an ardent anticommunist. After serving as Ronald Reagan's foreign policy adviser in his 1980 campaign and later in his Cabinet, the longtime Democrat-turned-Republican was nominated as the U.S...
(1926–2006) - United States Ambassador to the United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace... - Jackie SherrillJackie SherrillJackie Sherrill is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Washington State University , the University of Pittsburgh , Texas A&M University , and Mississippi State University , compiling a career college football record of 180–120–4...
(1943- )- Former college football head coach