Sapulpa, Oklahoma
Encyclopedia
Sapulpa is a city in Creek
and Tulsa
counties in the U.S. state
of Oklahoma
. The population was 20,544 at the 2010 United States census, compared to 19,166 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of Creek County
.
near the meeting of Polecat and Rock creeks (about one mile (1.6 km) southeast of present-day downtown Sapulpa). When the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad
(later known as the Frisco railroad) built a spur to this area in 1886, it was known as Sapulpa Station. Sapulpa post office was chartered in 1889. The town was chartered in 1898.
. Sapulpa competed with Bristow, Oklahoma
for county seat of Creek County. After five years of contested elections and court suits, the question was settled by the Oklahoma Supreme Court on August 1, 1913. Sapulpa was ruled the winner. The county courthouse was completed in 1914, replacing an earlier structure built in 1902.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 18.7 square miles (48.4 km²), of which, 18.6 square miles (48.2 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.11%) is water.
of 2000, there were 19,166 people, 7,430 households, and 5,357 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,028.5 people per square mile (397.2/km²). There were 8,114 housing units at an average density of 435.4 per square mile (168.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.95% White, 3.75% African American, 8.69% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.99% from other races
, and 5.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.45% of the population.
There were 7,430 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples
living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,245, and the median income for a family was $37,558. Males had a median income of $30,524 versus $21,609 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,266. About 11.5% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.2% of those under age 18 and 17.4% of those age 65 or over.
gained national media attention in early November 2008 for not reporting the election of Barack Obama
as President, reporting only that John McCain
had won among the voters of Creek County. Critics charged that the omission related to racism
, as Obama's victory as the first African American elected president was an historic event. The newspaper maintains that it only covers local news events.
, Liberty Glass Company and Happy Burger.
Creek County, Oklahoma
Creek County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2010, the population was 69,967. Its county seat is Sapulpa.-Geography:According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and is water....
and Tulsa
Tulsa County, Oklahoma
Tulsa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population is 603,403. Its county seat is Tulsa.-History of Tulsa County:The history of Tulsa County greatly overlaps the history of the city of Tulsa...
counties in the U.S. state
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...
. The population was 20,544 at the 2010 United States census, compared to 19,166 at the 2000 census. 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 Creek County
Creek County, Oklahoma
Creek County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2010, the population was 69,967. Its county seat is Sapulpa.-Geography:According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and is water....
.
Early History
The town was named after Chief James Sapulpa, the area's first permanent settler, who was a full-blood Lower Creek Indian of the Kasihta Tribe from Osocheetown, Alabama. In about 1850, he established a trading postTrading post
A trading post was a place or establishment in historic Northern America where the trading of goods took place. The preferred travel route to a trading post or between trading posts, was known as a trade route....
near the meeting of Polecat and Rock creeks (about one mile (1.6 km) southeast of present-day downtown Sapulpa). When the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad
Atlantic and Pacific Railroad
The Atlantic and Pacific Railroad was a U.S. railroad that owned or operated two disjoint segments, one connecting St. Louis, Missouri with Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the other connecting Albuquerque, New Mexico with Southern California. It was incorporated by the U.S. Congress in 1866 as a...
(later known as the Frisco railroad) built a spur to this area in 1886, it was known as Sapulpa Station. Sapulpa post office was chartered in 1889. The town was chartered in 1898.
Controversy over Creek County Seat location
After Oklahoma became a state, each county held an election to determine the location of the county seatCounty 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....
. Sapulpa competed with Bristow, Oklahoma
Bristow, Oklahoma
Bristow is a city in Creek County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 4,325 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bristow is located at ....
for county seat of Creek County. After five years of contested elections and court suits, the question was settled by the Oklahoma Supreme Court on August 1, 1913. Sapulpa was ruled the winner. The county courthouse was completed in 1914, replacing an earlier structure built in 1902.
Economic Development
The area around Sapulpa mainly produced walnuts when the town was founded. In 1898, the Sapulpa Pressed Brick was established, followed in a few years by the Sapulpa Brick Company. This began the clay products industry. The Frisco built a railyard in Sapulpa and by 1900 designated Sapulpa as the location of an overhaul base for its rolling stock. The founding of Premium Glass Company in 1912 marked Sapulpa's entry to glass manufacturing. Premium Glass was absorbed into Liberty Glass Company in 1918. Other glass producers in the city were Bartlett-Collins Glass Company, Schram Glass Company, and Sunflower Glass Company. According to the Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History, Sapulpa became known as "The Crystal City of the Southwest."Geography
Sapulpa is located at 36°0′13"N 96°6′17"W (36.003536, -96.104822).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 18.7 square miles (48.4 km²), of which, 18.6 square miles (48.2 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.11%) is water.
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 19,166 people, 7,430 households, and 5,357 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 1,028.5 people per square mile (397.2/km²). There were 8,114 housing units at an average density of 435.4 per square mile (168.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.95% White, 3.75% African American, 8.69% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.99% 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 5.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.45% of the population.
There were 7,430 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% 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, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,245, and the median income for a family was $37,558. Males had a median income of $30,524 versus $21,609 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 $17,266. About 11.5% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.2% of those under age 18 and 17.4% of those age 65 or over.
Newspaper controversy
The Sapulpa Daily HeraldSapulpa Daily Herald
The Sapulpa Daily Herald, "Creek County's Only Daily Newspaper," is a six-day daily newspaper published in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, United States. It is owned by the Sumner family, owner of four other Oklahoma papers....
gained national media attention in early November 2008 for not reporting the election of Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
as President, reporting only that John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
had won among the voters of Creek County. Critics charged that the omission related to racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
, as Obama's victory as the first African American elected president was an historic event. The newspaper maintains that it only covers local news events.
Economy
Sapulpa is notable as the home of Frankoma PotteryFrankoma Pottery
Frankoma Pottery is an American pottery company located in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. The company is widely known for its sculptures and dinnerware although the company made many other products including figurines, trivets, and vases. All Frankoma pottery is made in the United States from locally dug...
, Liberty Glass Company and Happy Burger.
Notable natives and residents
- Max Meyer, an immigrant to the United States and settler in Sapulpa in 1906, was subject of the biography Preposterous Papa (reprint 1992 in paperback) by his son Lewis Meyer, Tulsa author and bookseller. Meyer was a merchant and philanthropist, who built public projects from profits from the more than 50 oil wells he developed.
- The musicians known as The Collins KidsThe Collins KidsThe Collins Kids are an American rockabilly duo featuring siblings Lawrencine "Lorrie" Collins and her younger brother Lawrence "Larry" Collins . Their hits in the 1950s as youngsters, such as "Hop, Skip and Jump", "Beetle Bug Bop" and "Hoy Hoy", were geared towards children, but their infectious...
, Lorrie and Larry Collins, resided near Sapulpa in the early 1950s.
- Former Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player Don WallaceDon WallaceDonald Allen Wallace is a former Major League Baseball player. Wallace played 23 games with the California Angels in the 1967 season. He had six at-bats, without a hit. He attended Oklahoma State University....
(who played for the Los Angeles Angels in the 1960s) was born in Sapulpa.Baseball-Reference
- Eugene Bavinger (b. 1919, Sapulpa) is an abstract expressionist painter.
- George William Miller (b. March 9, 1925 – d. March 17, 2006) was born in Sapulpa. He served as the 65th United States Secretary of the Treasury under President Carter from August 6, 1979 to January 20, 1981. He previously served as the 11th Chairman of the Federal ReserveChairman of the Federal ReserveThe Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is the head of the central banking system of the United States. Known colloquially as "Chairman of the Fed," or in market circles "Fed Chairman" or "Fed Chief"...
, where he began service on March 8, 1978.