Pawhuska, Oklahoma
Encyclopedia
Pawhuska is a city in and the county seat
of Osage County
, Oklahoma
, United States
, and the capital of the Osage Nation
. The population was 3,589 at the 2010 census
, a decline of 1.2 percent from 3,629 at the 2000 census
. The ZIP Code
for the city is 74056. It was named for the 19th century Osage chief, Pawhuska.
The Osage Agency, which opened here in 1872, continues its operations in Pawhuska to the present.
, part of Indian Territory
. Traders soon followed, building stores during 1872 and 1873. Pawhuska's first newspaper, the Indian Herald, began in 1875 and its post office opened in 1876. The Midland Valley Railroad
reached Pawhuska in September, 1905. By the time of statehood in 1907, the town population was 2,407.
During the Osage oil boom of the 1910s and 1920s, Pawhuska was the site of public lease options. The population grew to 6,414 by 1920. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad extended its line from Owen, a community in Washington County, Oklahoma
to Pawhuska in 1923. However, as the oil boom declined and the Great Depression set in, the population declined. The steady decline has continued through each census to the present. Other than cattle ranches nearby, local employment consisted primarily of a brick plant, a creamery, an ice factory and a rock crusher.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.8 square miles (9.8 km²), all of it land.
Tallgrass Prairie Preserve
is north of the town.
of 2000, there were 3,629 people, 1,513 households, and 954 families residing in the city. The population density
was 966.4 people per square mile (372.7/km²). There were 1,802 housing units at an average density of 479.9 per square mile (185.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 64.98% White, 2.78% African American, 25.46% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.52% from other races
, and 6.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.85% of the population.
There were 1,513 households out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples
living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 23.0% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,156, and the median income for a family was $31,599. Males had a median income of $25,682 versus $17,690 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $13,916. About 13.7% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 14.9% of those age 65 or over.
' Pulitzer Prize
-winning play August: Osage County
is set on a farm near Pawhuska.
troop is claimed to have been organized in Pawhuska, in May 1909 by John F. Mitchell, a missionary priest from England sent to St. Thomas Episcopal Church by the Church of England
. On Independence day
weekend 2009, the Pawhuska boy scout
troop
celebrated its centennial with a mini-jamboree
attended by over 300 scouts from across the United States
.
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 Osage County
Osage County, Oklahoma
Osage County is a county in the northern part of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Coterminous with the Osage Indian Reservation, it is the home of the federally recognized Osage Nation. As of the 2010 census, the population was 47,472 a 6.8 percent increase from 2000, when the population was 44,437...
, 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...
, and the capital of the Osage Nation
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,...
. The population was 3,589 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...
, a decline of 1.2 percent from 3,629 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
. The ZIP Code
ZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
for the city is 74056. It was named for the 19th century Osage chief, Pawhuska.
The Osage Agency, which opened here in 1872, continues its operations in Pawhuska to the present.
History
The town, originally known as Deep Ford, began in 1872 with the establishment of the Osage Indian Agency on Bird Creek in the Osage NationOsage 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,...
, part of Indian Territory
Indian Territory
The Indian Territory, also known as the Indian Territories and the Indian Country, was land set aside within the United States for the settlement of American Indians...
. Traders soon followed, building stores during 1872 and 1873. Pawhuska's first newspaper, the Indian Herald, began in 1875 and its post office opened in 1876. The Midland Valley Railroad
Midland Valley Railroad
The Midland Valley Railroad was incorporated in 1903 for the purpose of building a line from Hoye, Arkansas, through Muskogee and Tulsa, Oklahoma to Wichita, Kansas. The railroad took its name from Midland, Arkansas, a coal mining town in western Arkansas which was served by the railroad...
reached Pawhuska in September, 1905. By the time of statehood in 1907, the town population was 2,407.
During the Osage oil boom of the 1910s and 1920s, Pawhuska was the site of public lease options. The population grew to 6,414 by 1920. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad extended its line from Owen, a community in Washington County, Oklahoma
Washington County, Oklahoma
Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It is, in total area, the smallest county in Oklahoma, adjacent to the largest county in Oklahoma, Osage County. It is the second smallest county, by land only size, i.e., not including water. As of 2000, the population was...
to Pawhuska in 1923. However, as the oil boom declined and the Great Depression set in, the population declined. The steady decline has continued through each census to the present. Other than cattle ranches nearby, local employment consisted primarily of a brick plant, a creamery, an ice factory and a rock crusher.
Geography
Pawhuska is located at 36°40′9"N 96°19′59"W (36.669194, -96.333048).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 3.8 square miles (9.8 km²), all of it land.
Tallgrass Prairie Preserve
Tallgrass Prairie Preserve
The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, located in Osage County, Oklahoma near Foraker, Oklahoma, is owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy. It is protected as the largest tract of remaining tallgrass prairie in the world...
is north of the town.
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 3,629 people, 1,513 households, and 954 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 966.4 people per square mile (372.7/km²). There were 1,802 housing units at an average density of 479.9 per square mile (185.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 64.98% White, 2.78% African American, 25.46% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.52% 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 6.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.85% of the population.
There were 1,513 households out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% 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, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 23.0% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,156, and the median income for a family was $31,599. Males had a median income of $25,682 versus $17,690 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 $13,916. About 13.7% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 14.9% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
Notable people from Pawhuska:- Louis F. BurnsLouis F. BurnsLouis F. Burns, who descends from the Little Bear/Strike Axe band of Little Osages, is a member of the well-known Tinker family. He holds a B. S. degree in education and an M. S. degree in history from Kansas State University, Emporia. He also did work toward a doctorate at the University of...
(Historian and Author of over 10 books about the Osage Indians) - G. R. CarterG. R. CarterG. R. Carter, JR is a professional American Quarter Horse jockey. On June 1, 2008, he became the all-time leading money earning jockey in American Quarter Horse racing history surpassing the previous record of $41,405,207 million in mount earnings...
(jockey) - Ree DrummondRee DrummondAnn Marie "Ree" Drummond is an award-winning American blogger, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author, food writer, photographer and television personality who lives on a working ranch outside of Pawhuska, Oklahoma. In February 2010, she was listed as No. 22 on Forbes' Top 25 Web Celebrities --...
(The Pioneer Woman, cookbook author and blogger) - Ben JohnsonBen Johnson (actor)Ben "Son" Johnson, Jr. was an American motion picture actor who was mainly cast in Westerns. He was also a rodeo cowboy, stuntman, and rancher.-Personal life:...
, Actor - John Joseph MatthewsJohn Joseph MatthewsJohn Joseph Mathews was a World War I veteran who became one of the Osage Nation's most important spokespeople and writers. He studied at the University of Oklahoma and Oxford and served as a flight instructor during World War I....
, Historian and author - Mitch SchauerMitch SchauerMitchell L. Schauer is an animation professional who's been involved in children's programming, primetime live-action series and feature films since 1978.-Early Life:...
(creator of The Angry BeaversThe Angry BeaversThe Angry Beavers is an American animated television series created by Mitch Schauer for the Nickelodeon channel. The series revolves around Daggett and Norbert Beaver, two young beaver brothers who have left their home to become bachelors in the forest near Wayouttatown, Oregon. The show premiered...
) - Larry SellersLarry SellersLarry Sellers is an American actor/stuntman of Osage/Cherokee/Lakota heritage. He commonly portrays Native American characters such as his role on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman as Cloud Dancing-External links:...
- Clarence L. TinkerClarence L. TinkerGeneral Clarence Leonard Tinker was an airman of who lost his life during World War II while on a combat mission during the Japanese attack on Midway Island in the Pacific, June 7, 1942. Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is named in his honor...
, Airman and namesake of Tinker Air Force BaseTinker Air Force BaseTinker Air Force Base is a major U.S. Air Force base, with tenant U.S. Navy and other Department of Defense missions, located in the southeast Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area, directly south of the suburb of Midwest City, Oklahoma.-Overview:... - Chief Jay Strongbow (professional wrestler)
Literature
Tracy LettsTracy Letts
Tracy Letts is an American playwright and actor who received the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play August: Osage County.-Biography:...
' Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
-winning play August: Osage County
August: Osage County
August: Osage County is a darkly comedic play by Tracy Letts. It was the recipient of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The play premiered at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago on 28 June 2007, and closed on 26 August 2007. Its Broadway debut was at the Imperial Theater on 4 December 2007 and...
is set on a farm near Pawhuska.
Scouting
The first Boy ScoutBoy Scout
A Scout is a boy or a girl, usually 11 to 18 years of age, participating in the worldwide Scouting movement. Because of the large age and development span, many Scouting associations have split this age group into a junior and a senior section...
troop is claimed to have been organized in Pawhuska, in May 1909 by John F. Mitchell, a missionary priest from England sent to St. Thomas Episcopal Church by the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
. On Independence day
Independence Day (United States)
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
weekend 2009, the Pawhuska boy scout
Boy Scout
A Scout is a boy or a girl, usually 11 to 18 years of age, participating in the worldwide Scouting movement. Because of the large age and development span, many Scouting associations have split this age group into a junior and a senior section...
troop
Scout troop
The Scout troop is a unit of Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides and Girl Scouts that usually meet weekly. Girl Guides often use Unit or Company instead. The troop is the fundamental unit, which a Scout joins and via which he or she participates in Scouting activities, such as camping, backpacking, and...
celebrated its centennial with a mini-jamboree
Jamboree (Scouting)
In Scouting, a jamboree is a large gathering of Scouts who rally at a national or international level.The 1st World Scout Jamboree was held in 1920, and was hosted by the United Kingdom...
attended by over 300 scouts from across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.