Garfield County, Oklahoma
Encyclopedia
Garfield County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Oklahoma
named after President James A. Garfield. As of 2010, the population was 60,580. Enid
is the county seat
and largest city within Garfield County. Prior to the Land Run of 1893
, Garfield County was named O County and was part of the Cherokee Outlet
, occupied by the Cherokee
people following the Treaty of New Echota
and the Cherokee trail of tears. Historically, the area was a hunting ground for the Wichita
, Osage
, and Kiowa
tribes.
The Chisholm Trail
, stage coach lines, mail routes, and railroads passed through stations at Buffalo Springs and Skeleton, today known as Bison and Enid. Railroad development in the county began four years prior to the land opening. Enid became a central hub within the county. Historical railroads included Enid and Tonkawa Railway
, Enid and Anadarko Railway
, Blackwell, Enid and Southwestern Railway
, Enid Central Railway and the Denver, Enid and Gulf Railroad
.
Primary industries in Garfield County are agriculture and livestock. Historically, crops have included wheat, corn, oats, sorghum, Kaffir corn, and alfalfa. In addition, oil and gas and flour milling have proved fruitful for the county. The county seat of Enid, Oklahoma has the most grain storage capacity in the United States and one of the largest grain elevators in the world. Vance Air Force Base
is also a major employer in the area of both soldiers and civilians.
, the county has a total area of 1060 square miles (2,745.4 km²), of which 1058 square miles (2,740.2 km²) is land and 2 square miles (5.2 km²) (0.15%) is water. Several creeks run through the county, including Black Bear, Boggy, Red Rock, Rock, Skeleton, and Turkey.
of 2000, there were 57,813 people, 23,175 households, and 15,805 families residing in the county. The population density
was 55 people per square mile (21/km²). There were 26,047 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.65% White
, 3.26% Black
or African American
, 2.11% Native American
, 0.85% Asian
, 0.49% Pacific Islander
, 2.02% from other races
, and 2.62% from two or more races. 4.13% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 23,175 households out of which 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% were married couples
living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 27.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the county, the population was spread out with 25.00% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,006, and the median income for a family was $39,872. Males had a median income of $29,921 versus $20,791 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $17,457. About 10.50% of families and 13.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.70% of those under age 18 and 10.40% of those age 65 or over.
:
Covington
Enid
Hunter
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
named after President James A. Garfield. As of 2010, the population was 60,580. Enid
Enid, Oklahoma
Enid is a city in Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States. In 2010, the population was 49,379, making it the ninth largest city in Oklahoma. It is the county seat of Garfield County. Enid was founded during the opening of the Cherokee Outlet in the Land Run of 1893, and is named after Enid, a...
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....
and largest city within Garfield County. Prior to the Land Run of 1893
Land Run of 1893
The Land Run of 1893, also known as the Cherokee Strip Land Run, marked the opening of the Cherokee Outlet to the public. The run happened on September 16, 1893 at noon with more than 100,000 participants hoping to claim land. The land offices for the run were set up in Perry, Enid, Woodward, and...
, Garfield County was named O County and was part of the Cherokee Outlet
Cherokee Outlet
The Cherokee Outlet, often mistakenly referred to as the Cherokee Strip, was located in what is now the state of Oklahoma, in the United States. It was a sixty-mile wide strip of land south of the Oklahoma-Kansas border between the 96th and 100th meridians. It was about 225 miles long and in 1891...
, occupied by the Cherokee
Cherokee
The Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern United States . Linguistically, they are part of the Iroquoian language family...
people following the Treaty of New Echota
Treaty of New Echota
The Treaty of New Echota was a treaty signed on December 29, 1835, in New Echota, Georgia by officials of the United States government and representatives of a minority Cherokee political faction, known as the Treaty Party...
and the Cherokee trail of tears. Historically, the area was a hunting ground for the Wichita
Wichita (tribe)
The Wichita people are indigenous inhabitants of North America, who traditionally spoke the Wichita language, a Caddoan language. They have lived in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas...
, Osage
Osage Nation
The Osage Nation is a Native American Siouan-language tribe in the United States that originated in the Ohio River valley in present-day Kentucky. After years of war with invading Iroquois, the Osage migrated west of the Mississippi River to their historic lands in present-day Arkansas, Missouri,...
, and Kiowa
Kiowa
The Kiowa are a nation of American Indians and indigenous people of the Great Plains. They migrated from the northern plains to the southern plains in the late 17th century. In 1867, the Kiowa moved to a reservation in southwestern Oklahoma...
tribes.
The Chisholm Trail
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...
, stage coach lines, mail routes, and railroads passed through stations at Buffalo Springs and Skeleton, today known as Bison and Enid. Railroad development in the county began four years prior to the land opening. Enid became a central hub within the county. Historical railroads included Enid and Tonkawa Railway
Enid and Tonkawa Railway
The Enid and Tonkawa Railway Company was incorporated on March 20, 1899 under the laws of the territory of Oklahoma. The company constructed a railroad line from North Enid, Oklahoma to Billings, Oklahoma. The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad purchased the company on December 22, 1899....
, Enid and Anadarko Railway
Enid and Anadarko Railway
The Enid and Anadarko Railway Company was incorporated on March 9, 1901 under the laws of the territory of Oklahoma by M.A. Low, J.C. Marshall, I.G. Conkling, H.D. Crossley and S.H. Thompson. The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway purchased the Enid and Anadarko Railway on October 21, 1903.In...
, Blackwell, Enid and Southwestern Railway
Blackwell, Enid and Southwestern Railway
The Blackwell, Enid and Southwestern Railway was built as a short line railroad operating in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.It was founded in March 1900 to link the Frisco Beaumont, Kansas subdivision and Vernon, Texas...
, Enid Central Railway and the Denver, Enid and Gulf Railroad
Denver, Enid and Gulf Railroad
The Denver, Enid and Gulf Railroad was built as a short line railroad operating in Kansas, and Oklahoma. Incorporated in Oklahoma as the Denver, Enid and Gulf Railroad Company, March 31, 1902, by the five Frantz Brothers....
.
Primary industries in Garfield County are agriculture and livestock. Historically, crops have included wheat, corn, oats, sorghum, Kaffir corn, and alfalfa. In addition, oil and gas and flour milling have proved fruitful for the county. The county seat of Enid, Oklahoma has the most grain storage capacity in the United States and one of the largest grain elevators in the world. Vance Air Force Base
Vance Air Force Base
Vance Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located 6 km south of downtown Enid, Oklahoma, and within its city limits, about north northwest of Oklahoma City...
is also a major employer in the area of both soldiers and civilians.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited 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 county has a total area of 1060 square miles (2,745.4 km²), of which 1058 square miles (2,740.2 km²) is land and 2 square miles (5.2 km²) (0.15%) is water. Several creeks run through the county, including Black Bear, Boggy, Red Rock, Rock, Skeleton, and Turkey.
Adjacent counties
- Grant CountyGrant County, OklahomaGrant County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2010 census, the population was 4,527. Its county seat is Medford.-History:...
(north) - Noble CountyNoble County, OklahomaNoble County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2010, the population was 11,561. Its county seat is Perry.-21st century:In 2010, the Keystone-Cushing Pipeline was constructed north to south through Noble County....
(east) - Logan CountyLogan County, OklahomaLogan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population as of 2009 was 39,301. Its county seat is Guthrie. Logan County is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
(southeast) - Kingfisher CountyKingfisher County, OklahomaKingfisher County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 14,384. Its county seat is Kingfisher.-History:...
(south) - Major CountyMajor County, OklahomaMajor County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 7,545. Its county seat is Fairview. Located in northwestern Oklahoma. Major County is bounded by Woods and Alfalfa counties in the north, Garfield County on the east, Kingfisher, Blaine and Dewey on...
(west) - Alfalfa CountyAlfalfa County, OklahomaAlfalfa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population is 6,105. Its county seat is Cherokee. Alfalfa County was formed in 1907 from Woods County. The county is named after William H...
(northwest)
Major highways
U.S. Highway 60
U.S. Highway 64/U.S. Highway 412
U.S. Highway 81
State Highway 15State Highway 15 (Oklahoma)State Highway 15 is the name for two once-connected state highways in Oklahoma. One begins at the Texas state line and runs for 47.1 miles through Woodward; the other runs for 62.4 miles between U.S. Highway 64/U.S. Highway 412 and State Highway 18 north of Pawnee...
State Highway 45State Highway 45 (Oklahoma)State Highway 45 is a state highway in Oklahoma. It runs west-to-east through Woods, Alfalfa and Garfield counties.-Route description:SH-45 begins at the US-281/SH-14 junction in Waynoka...
State Highway 74State Highway 74 (Oklahoma)State Highway 74, usually abbreviated as SH-74 or OK-74 is the numbering of two different highways maintained by the U.S. state of Oklahoma. These highways were once a single major north–south route, connecting Oklahoma City to more rural parts of the state...
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 57,813 people, 23,175 households, and 15,805 families residing in the county. 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 55 people per square mile (21/km²). There were 26,047 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.65% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 3.26% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.11% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.85% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.49% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.02% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.62% from two or more races. 4.13% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 23,175 households out of which 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 27.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the county, the population was spread out with 25.00% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,006, and the median income for a family was $39,872. Males had a median income of $29,921 versus $20,791 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 county was $17,457. About 10.50% of families and 13.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.70% of those under age 18 and 10.40% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
|
Douglas, Oklahoma Douglas is a town in Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 32 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Douglas is located at Its location is far north from Edmond and Oklahoma City.... Drummond, Oklahoma Drummond is a town in Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 405 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Drummond is located at .... Enid, Oklahoma Enid is a city in Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States. In 2010, the population was 49,379, making it the ninth largest city in Oklahoma. It is the county seat of Garfield County. Enid was founded during the opening of the Cherokee Outlet in the Land Run of 1893, and is named after Enid, a... Fairmont, Oklahoma Fairmont is a town in Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 147 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Fairmont is located at .... |
Garber, Oklahoma Garber is a city in Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 845 at the 2000 census. The city is named after Martin Garber, father of Milton C. Garber, former U.S. Congressman, Enid Mayor, newspaper editor, and Judge. The Garber family participated in the Land Run of 1893,... Hillsdale, Oklahoma Hillsdale is a town in Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 101 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hillsdale is located at .... Hunter, Oklahoma Hunter is a town in Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 173 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hunter is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land.... Kremlin, Oklahoma As of the census of 2000, there were 240 people, 98 households, and 72 families residing in the town. The population density was 949.9 people per square mile . There were 112 housing units at an average density of 443.3 per square mile... |
Lahoma, Oklahoma Lahoma is a town in Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 577 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lahoma is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land.... North Enid, Oklahoma North Enid is a town in Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 860 at the 2010 census. The town is served by the Chisholm school district... Waukomis, Oklahoma Waukomis is a town in Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,261 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Waukomis is located at .... |
NRHP sites
The following sites in Garfield County are listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational 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...
:
Covington
- Kimmell Barn
- R. E. Hoy No. 1 Oil WellR. E. Hoy No. 1 Oil WellThe R.E. Hoy No. 1 Oil Well was constructed by the Sinclair Oil & Refining Corporation in September 1916. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1986. Milton C. Garber and his brother Bert Garber hired geologist Dorsey Hager to determine potential drilling locations on...
Enid
|
Garfield County Courthouse (Enid, Oklahoma) The Garfield County Courthouse is a historic courthouse building located in Enid, Oklahoma. It is on the National Register of Historic Places both individually and as a part of the Enid Downtown Historic District.-Previous Courthouses :... Jackson School (Enid, Oklahoma) Jackson School, built in 1936, is located in Enid, Garfield County, Oklahoma and listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1989. It is one of three Mission/Spanish Colonial buildings in Enid. The other two are the 1928 Rock Island Depot, also listed on the register, and the Ehly... Kenwood Historic District (Enid, Oklahoma) The Kenwood Historic District is located north west of downtown Enid, Oklahoma and is named for Kenwood Boulevard, a diagonal street created in 1894. The neighborhood encompasses of housing created between 1895 and 1915. Houses in the district were designed by A.A. Crowell and R.W. Shaw, and... Lamerton House The Lamerton House is a two-story Tudor Revival house constructed in 1930 located on the Lamerton Terrace property Enid, Oklahoma in Garfield County, which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1997. The home was designed in 1928 by John Duncan Forsyth of Tulsa,... Rock Island Depot (Enid, Oklahoma) The Rock Island Depot is located in Enid, Garfield County, Oklahoma and listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979.-History:... Waverley Historic District (Enid, Oklahoma) The Waverley Historic District is located in Enid, Oklahoma, and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2006. It consists of four Waverley additions. The William and Luther Braden farm was the first parcel of land to be platted by the Waverley Development Company in May... |
Hunter
- Bank of Hunter
External links and Further Reading
- Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture - Garfield County
- Rockwell, Stella, ed., Garfield County, Oklahoma, 1907-1982, Vol. I & II, Garfield Historical Society, Josten's Publishing Company, Topeka, Kansas. 1982.