Skiatook, Oklahoma
Encyclopedia
Skiatook is a town in Osage
and Tulsa
counties in the U.S. state
of Oklahoma
. Located in the northeastern part of the state, it is a suburb of Tulsa
. The population was 7,397 in the 2010 census, compared to 5,396 at the 2000 census
.
s, founded Skiatook in 1872, when he established a trading post in the Cherokee Nation
just to the south of Bird Creek where the stream was easily crossed. The Osage Indian, Skiatooka, was a frequent trader at the post, so it has been suggested this may be the connection which resulted in the town's name.
Historical records have conflicting data as to the origin of Skiatook's name. One story is that the town was founded on land which was the home of a prominent Osage Indian, Skiatooka, and the community around his home was called Skiatooka's Settlement.
Another story is that the name was Cherokee in origin meaning either "big injun me" or describing a large man or a vast tract of land.
Yet another story, told by local natives of Osage decent, is that after a tornado struck the settlement in its early years, while trying to describe to white settlers what had happened in broken English, natives used the phrase "sky-a-took". Literally meaning, the sky had taken the settlement. This story is at least four generations old -and in native tradition- handed down by word of mouth.
The first Skiatook Post Office was established in Rogers's store in the 1880s, and in 1892, the name was changed from Ski-a-took to its present form.
The first deed in town was granted to the Skiatook Bank, later known at the First National Bank, on December 18, 1904. Lumber was hauled in to build the bank building and in January 1905, the bank opened. Immediately after this day, despite the harsh winter, active construction began, and many buildings replaced shacks and tents.
Also in 1904, the Midland Valley Railroad was built through the area and weekly newspaper, The Skiatook Sentinel (now known as the Skiatook Journal), was first published. The town became incorporated during the summer of 1905, with A.E. Townsend as its first mayor. By the fall of 1906, the residents had the conveniences of natural gas and public telephones.
After Oklahoma Statehood in 1907, construction began on permanent roads and bridges. Several country schools had been scattered throughout the area, and Skiatook Schools began in 1905. The first church building constructed in Skiatook was the First Christian Church in 1907. Before this, congregations met in several places in town, including homes and businesses.
Cement sidewalks were constructed between 1909 and 1910, and in 1912 Skiatook received water, sewer and electric light improvements. The area experienced much growth in the oil, gas and farm industries. Increased traffic through town warranted better streets, and by the fall of 1919, Skiatook had 15 blocks of continuous cement paved streets. In 1920, Skiatook had 2,000 residents and around 50 businesses.
A road to Tulsa was paved in the early 1920s, and with good roads leading out in all directions, Skiatook became known as the "Gateway to all points North, South, East and West". In the 1930s, Skiatook began purchasing water from Spavinaw, but the completion of Skiatook Lake
in 1984 gave Skiatook its own water source.
was fought just west of Skiatook, on December 26, 1861, during the American Civil War
. A band of 9,000 pro-Union Native Americans was forced to flee to Kansas in bitter cold and snow in what became known as the "Trail of Blood on the Ice."
The victorious Confederates captured 160 women and children, 20 blacks, 30 wagons, 70 yoke of oxen, about 500 Indian horses, several hundred head of cattle, 100 sheep, and large quantities of supplies. Casualties were 9 killed and 40 wounded for the Confederates. Colonel McIntosh in his official report estimated the Indians' loss as 250.
", were filmed in locations around Skiatook, as was the movie "the Eye of God"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116261/.
of the Country band Brooks & Dunn lived in Skiatook as a teenager. Youtube
celebrity singer/songwriter Kata Hay
was born, and raised in Skiatook, OK.
Wesley "Wes" Studi an actor that has starred in Award-winning films, such as Dances with Wolves, The Last of the Mohicans, Geronimo: An American Legend, Academy Award-nominated The New World (2005), and the blockbuster hit Avatar spent a portion of his childhood years living with his family in Skiatook, OK.
, Skiatook Statuary (Producer of the World's Largest Ornamental Concrete, and the first producer to ship to Russia), Skiatook Museum, The Healing Rock, Civil War Battle Marker (Battle of Chustenahlah
), Captain's Cemetery, Hillside Cemetery, View from Javine Hill, Horse and Cattle Ranches, Skiatook Airport, John Zink Scout Ranch
, Herbert Pinc Auditorium, the newly constructed 103000 sq ft (9,569 m²) arena (the Skiatook Multi-Purpose Activity Center) which will seat 6,000 people, Woodland Christmas Tree Farm, Vegetable and Fruit Market, Pecan and Flower Market, Community Building, Cedar Crest Golf course, CrossTimbers Resort & Marina, and Crystal Bay Marina.
. There are numerous little leagues (football, baseball, softball, soccer) and an adult soccer league.
The Osage Prairie Trail was constructed with Vision 2025 funds, and this 14 miles (23 km) jogging and bike trail connects Skiatook to Tulsa's extensive bike and jogging trail system. The Skiatook community pool was opened in the 1950s, and provided swimming lessons to thousands of Skiatook children. Due to deteriorating conditions, the old pool was closed in 2001. The new pool opened to the public June 2, 2007.
Skiatook is also home to the Oklahoma Thunder football team, a professional football team in the World Football League(WFL) and were the 2008 WFL Champions. Games are played on Hap Dunlap Field at The Exchange Bank Stadium at Skiatook High School. Noted players on the roster are former NFL player Willie Ponder, Rico Watkins, Prentiss Elliott, Kejuan Jones, Jeremy Nethon, WFL Player of the Year Joey Crawford, and current paralized hero Emmeka Nnaka who is on pace to become the fastest person to walk after a paralyzing incident.
approved October 23, 1962 (87th Congress). It is one of five projects in the Bird Creek Basin plan recommended to meet the comprehensive water resources needs of the area. The Damsite is located on Hominy Creek about 5 miles (8 km) west of Skiatook in Osage County, Oklahoma. The project serves the purposes of flood
control, water quality, water supply, recreation, and fish and wildlife management. The total cost of the project was approximately $120 million. It was completed in 1984. Elevated 714 feet (217.6 m) above sea level, the lake has a surface area of about 10,500 acres (42 km2) and 160 miles (257.5 km) of shoreline. Skiatook Lake has brought tremendous growth to the surrounding Skiatook area since its completion.
The shoreline is accentuated by steep picturesque bluffs which offer fantastic views. Boating, hiking, swimming, camping, picnicking as well as hunting and fishing are all popular activities at the lake.
Sport fishing is very popular and Skiatook Lake has several annual fishing tournaments. Largemouth bass, black and white crappie, channel catfish, and several species of sunfish are plentiful in Skiatook Lake.
Whitetail deer, rabbit, squirrel, beaver, quail, and many more bird species are plentiful around the lake. Even a few coyote have been seen. During the seasons, about 8,000 acres (32 km2) of this land are open for hunting.
There are several places open to camping, including Tallchief Cove, Bull Creek and Twin Points campgrounds. Other parks on the lake include Blackdog Park, Osage Park, Quapaw Park, Hominy Landing and Skiatook Point.
About 1,800 acres (7.3 km2) of land around the lake have been set aside for public use areas. These areas provide roads, parking spaces, boat ramps, nature trails, picnicking and camping sites along with sanitary facilities. These areas remain attractive to the user and blend in with the natural landscape surrounding the lake.
Skiatook Main Street Association is actively trying to clean-up the old downtown area. For more information, see the website: SMSA.S5.com.
The Skiatook Historical Society was organized in April 1976. The goal of the members was to preserve the interesting history of Skiatook from its beginning to the present time.
In 1988, after 5 moves, the Skiatook Museum moved into the home of pioneer doctor W. G. Phillips. The home, built in 1912, contained his office. In 1910, Dr. Phillips settled in Skiatook and served the community for 50 years. His medical diploma and college graduation picture are on display at the museum.
The Skiatook Museum made Dr. Phillips' house its permanent home with the aid of the Oklahoma Historical Society
, including grants to refurbish the house and set up display areas within its walls.
The museum board conducted a successful building fund campaign in 1999 and completed an addition to the home which has added much needed space for the display of local historical documents, as well as furniture and other household items of the town's pioneers.
Historians, students and all those looking for their family tree, who are searching for Skiatook's past can view the personal papers, documents and photographs of the town's pioneer families, events and places at the museum. Also provided is a microfilm reader to enable visitors to research into newspapers dating back to April 1905, the date the first newspaper in town began publishing.
; a Bluegrass Festival; a fine art & quilt show in October; various fishing tournaments; and a Christmas parade.
of 2000, there were 5,396 people, 1,994 households, and 1,475 families residing in the town. The population density
was 369.0 people per square mile (142.5/km2). There were 2,125 housing units at an average density of 145.3 per square mile (56.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 71.31% White, 0.50% African American, 18.75% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races
, and 8.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.76% of the population.
There were 1,994 households out of which 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples
living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the town the population was spread out with 31.0% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $32,946, and the median income for a family was $37,879. Males had a median income of $30,873 versus $21,419 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $13,956. About 9.4% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.7% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.
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...
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...
. Located in the northeastern part of the state, it is a suburb of Tulsa
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
. The population was 7,397 in the 2010 census, compared to 5,396 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...
.
History
William C. Rogers, last hereditary Chief of the CherokeeCherokee
The Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern United States . Linguistically, they are part of the Iroquoian language family...
s, founded Skiatook in 1872, when he established a trading post in the Cherokee Nation
Cherokee Nation
The Cherokee Nation is the largest of three Cherokee federally recognized tribes in the United States. It was established in the 20th century, and includes people descended from members of the old Cherokee Nation who relocated voluntarily from the Southeast to Indian Territory and Cherokees who...
just to the south of Bird Creek where the stream was easily crossed. The Osage Indian, Skiatooka, was a frequent trader at the post, so it has been suggested this may be the connection which resulted in the town's name.
Historical records have conflicting data as to the origin of Skiatook's name. One story is that the town was founded on land which was the home of a prominent Osage Indian, Skiatooka, and the community around his home was called Skiatooka's Settlement.
Another story is that the name was Cherokee in origin meaning either "big injun me" or describing a large man or a vast tract of land.
Yet another story, told by local natives of Osage decent, is that after a tornado struck the settlement in its early years, while trying to describe to white settlers what had happened in broken English, natives used the phrase "sky-a-took". Literally meaning, the sky had taken the settlement. This story is at least four generations old -and in native tradition- handed down by word of mouth.
The first Skiatook Post Office was established in Rogers's store in the 1880s, and in 1892, the name was changed from Ski-a-took to its present form.
The first deed in town was granted to the Skiatook Bank, later known at the First National Bank, on December 18, 1904. Lumber was hauled in to build the bank building and in January 1905, the bank opened. Immediately after this day, despite the harsh winter, active construction began, and many buildings replaced shacks and tents.
Also in 1904, the Midland Valley Railroad was built through the area and weekly newspaper, The Skiatook Sentinel (now known as the Skiatook Journal), was first published. The town became incorporated during the summer of 1905, with A.E. Townsend as its first mayor. By the fall of 1906, the residents had the conveniences of natural gas and public telephones.
After Oklahoma Statehood in 1907, construction began on permanent roads and bridges. Several country schools had been scattered throughout the area, and Skiatook Schools began in 1905. The first church building constructed in Skiatook was the First Christian Church in 1907. Before this, congregations met in several places in town, including homes and businesses.
Cement sidewalks were constructed between 1909 and 1910, and in 1912 Skiatook received water, sewer and electric light improvements. The area experienced much growth in the oil, gas and farm industries. Increased traffic through town warranted better streets, and by the fall of 1919, Skiatook had 15 blocks of continuous cement paved streets. In 1920, Skiatook had 2,000 residents and around 50 businesses.
A road to Tulsa was paved in the early 1920s, and with good roads leading out in all directions, Skiatook became known as the "Gateway to all points North, South, East and West". In the 1930s, Skiatook began purchasing water from Spavinaw, but the completion of Skiatook Lake
Skiatook Lake
Skiatook Lake is located in Osage County, Oklahoma, 4 miles west of the town of Skiatook, and 11 miles east of Hominy, Oklahoma; about a half hour drive from Tulsa. The Skiatook Dam is located 14 miles upstream of the confluence of Hominy and Bird Creeks...
in 1984 gave Skiatook its own water source.
The Battle of Chustenahlah
The Battle of ChustenahlahBattle of Chustenahlah
The Battle of Chustenahlah was fought in Osage County, Oklahoma, on December 26, 1861, during the American Civil War. A band of 9,000 pro-Union Native Americans was forced to flee to Kansas in bitter cold and snow in what became known as the Trail of Blood on the Ice.Confederate troops had...
was fought just west of Skiatook, on December 26, 1861, during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. A band of 9,000 pro-Union Native Americans was forced to flee to Kansas in bitter cold and snow in what became known as the "Trail of Blood on the Ice."
The victorious Confederates captured 160 women and children, 20 blacks, 30 wagons, 70 yoke of oxen, about 500 Indian horses, several hundred head of cattle, 100 sheep, and large quantities of supplies. Casualties were 9 killed and 40 wounded for the Confederates. Colonel McIntosh in his official report estimated the Indians' loss as 250.
Media
Skiatook has one newspaper, the Skiatook Journal. The paper is published every Wednesday. It is owned by Community Publishers, a newspaper and Internet publisher and commercial printer that serves Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas.Skiatook in Films
Parts of the 1983 film adaptation of S.E. Hinton's novel, "The OutsidersThe Outsiders (novel)
The Outsiders is a coming-of-age novel based in 1965 by S. E. Hinton, first published in 1967 by Viking Press. Hinton was 15 when she started writing the novel, but did most of the work when she was sixteen and a junior in high school. Hinton was 18 when the book was published...
", were filmed in locations around Skiatook, as was the movie "the Eye of God"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116261/.
Celebrity ties to Skiatook
Ronnie DunnRonnie Dunn
Ronnie Gene Dunn is an American country music singer-songwriter, known for being one half of the duo Brooks & Dunn. In 2011, Dunn began working as a solo artist following the breakup of Brooks & Dunn...
of the Country band Brooks & Dunn lived in Skiatook as a teenager. Youtube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
celebrity singer/songwriter Kata Hay
Kata Hay
Kata Hay is an American singer, songwriter and musician who was the youngest person to ever win Ed McMahon's Star Search at age five. In recent years she has used the Internet to independently promote her own music...
was born, and raised in Skiatook, OK.
Wesley "Wes" Studi an actor that has starred in Award-winning films, such as Dances with Wolves, The Last of the Mohicans, Geronimo: An American Legend, Academy Award-nominated The New World (2005), and the blockbuster hit Avatar spent a portion of his childhood years living with his family in Skiatook, OK.
Government
- Type of Government: TownTownA town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
with 5-member board of trustees and a Town Coordinator; - Fire Department: Full time with 1 Chief, 1 Assistant Chief, 1 Fire Marshal, 4 Captains, 4 Lieutenants, Overall: 15 fulltime-firefighters, and 24 volunteers. The Fire Department also provides the Emergency Medical Service for Skiatook and the surrounding rural area (approx. 500 square miles (1,295 km²)); staffing 2 Advanced Life SupportAdvanced Life SupportAdvanced Life Support is a set of life-saving protocols and skills that extend Basic Life Support to further support the circulation and provide an open airway and adequate ventilation .-Components of ALS:These include:...
ambulances on call 24 hours per day. - Police Department: Full time with 18 commissioned officers. The Police Department also houses a 24 hour E911 communications center that dispatches Police, Fire and EMS.
- Refuse Service, Sanitation and Sewage: aerated lagoon system of treatment
- Comprehensive City Plan, Zoning
Points of interest
Skiatook LakeSkiatook Lake
Skiatook Lake is located in Osage County, Oklahoma, 4 miles west of the town of Skiatook, and 11 miles east of Hominy, Oklahoma; about a half hour drive from Tulsa. The Skiatook Dam is located 14 miles upstream of the confluence of Hominy and Bird Creeks...
, Skiatook Statuary (Producer of the World's Largest Ornamental Concrete, and the first producer to ship to Russia), Skiatook Museum, The Healing Rock, Civil War Battle Marker (Battle of Chustenahlah
Battle of Chustenahlah
The Battle of Chustenahlah was fought in Osage County, Oklahoma, on December 26, 1861, during the American Civil War. A band of 9,000 pro-Union Native Americans was forced to flee to Kansas in bitter cold and snow in what became known as the Trail of Blood on the Ice.Confederate troops had...
), Captain's Cemetery, Hillside Cemetery, View from Javine Hill, Horse and Cattle Ranches, Skiatook Airport, John Zink Scout Ranch
Scouting in Oklahoma
Scouting in Oklahoma has a long history, from the 1910s to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live.-Early history :...
, Herbert Pinc Auditorium, the newly constructed 103000 sq ft (9,569 m²) arena (the Skiatook Multi-Purpose Activity Center) which will seat 6,000 people, Woodland Christmas Tree Farm, Vegetable and Fruit Market, Pecan and Flower Market, Community Building, Cedar Crest Golf course, CrossTimbers Resort & Marina, and Crystal Bay Marina.
Recreation
Skiatook residents enjoy multiple recreational opportunities, including Osage Park, John Zink Park, Smith Park, the Skiatook Sports Park, soccer fields, tennis courts, a nine-hole golf course, a driving range, shooting range, and Skiatook LakeSkiatook Lake
Skiatook Lake is located in Osage County, Oklahoma, 4 miles west of the town of Skiatook, and 11 miles east of Hominy, Oklahoma; about a half hour drive from Tulsa. The Skiatook Dam is located 14 miles upstream of the confluence of Hominy and Bird Creeks...
. There are numerous little leagues (football, baseball, softball, soccer) and an adult soccer league.
The Osage Prairie Trail was constructed with Vision 2025 funds, and this 14 miles (23 km) jogging and bike trail connects Skiatook to Tulsa's extensive bike and jogging trail system. The Skiatook community pool was opened in the 1950s, and provided swimming lessons to thousands of Skiatook children. Due to deteriorating conditions, the old pool was closed in 2001. The new pool opened to the public June 2, 2007.
Skiatook is also home to the Oklahoma Thunder football team, a professional football team in the World Football League(WFL) and were the 2008 WFL Champions. Games are played on Hap Dunlap Field at The Exchange Bank Stadium at Skiatook High School. Noted players on the roster are former NFL player Willie Ponder, Rico Watkins, Prentiss Elliott, Kejuan Jones, Jeremy Nethon, WFL Player of the Year Joey Crawford, and current paralized hero Emmeka Nnaka who is on pace to become the fastest person to walk after a paralyzing incident.
Skiatook Lake
Skiatook Dam and Lake was authorized for construction by the Flood Control ActFlood Control Act
There are multiple laws known as the Flood Control Act. Typically, they are administered by the United States Army Corps of Engineers:-List of Flood Control Acts:*Flood Control Act of 1917...
approved October 23, 1962 (87th Congress). It is one of five projects in the Bird Creek Basin plan recommended to meet the comprehensive water resources needs of the area. The Damsite is located on Hominy Creek about 5 miles (8 km) west of Skiatook in Osage County, Oklahoma. The project serves the purposes of flood
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
control, water quality, water supply, recreation, and fish and wildlife management. The total cost of the project was approximately $120 million. It was completed in 1984. Elevated 714 feet (217.6 m) above sea level, the lake has a surface area of about 10,500 acres (42 km2) and 160 miles (257.5 km) of shoreline. Skiatook Lake has brought tremendous growth to the surrounding Skiatook area since its completion.
The shoreline is accentuated by steep picturesque bluffs which offer fantastic views. Boating, hiking, swimming, camping, picnicking as well as hunting and fishing are all popular activities at the lake.
Sport fishing is very popular and Skiatook Lake has several annual fishing tournaments. Largemouth bass, black and white crappie, channel catfish, and several species of sunfish are plentiful in Skiatook Lake.
Whitetail deer, rabbit, squirrel, beaver, quail, and many more bird species are plentiful around the lake. Even a few coyote have been seen. During the seasons, about 8,000 acres (32 km2) of this land are open for hunting.
There are several places open to camping, including Tallchief Cove, Bull Creek and Twin Points campgrounds. Other parks on the lake include Blackdog Park, Osage Park, Quapaw Park, Hominy Landing and Skiatook Point.
About 1,800 acres (7.3 km2) of land around the lake have been set aside for public use areas. These areas provide roads, parking spaces, boat ramps, nature trails, picnicking and camping sites along with sanitary facilities. These areas remain attractive to the user and blend in with the natural landscape surrounding the lake.
Downtown Skiatook
The historic downtown area is home to a wide variety of stores, including antique dealers, a beer bar, speciality shops, Indian crafts, art galleries, dance studios, old-fashioned drug stores, a bakery and a music store that features country music concerts every week. In 2007, a PaperArts store opened called SparkFly Studio, featuring activities and classes for young and old. During the Pioneer Day festival people line the streets along Rogers Boulevard in downtown for the parade; in the past the street was blocked so a dance could be held in the evening, although this is no longer feasible due to the heavy traffic volume through town on Highway 20.Skiatook Main Street Association is actively trying to clean-up the old downtown area. For more information, see the website: SMSA.S5.com.
Skiatook Museum
Downtown is also home to the Skiatook Museum. The Skiatook Museum was established thanks to the people who kept mementos, scrapbooks, pictures, letters, and artifacts; such as C. H. Cleveland and Mrs. G. B. Epperson, who left the book "Skiatook 1872 to 1921."The Skiatook Historical Society was organized in April 1976. The goal of the members was to preserve the interesting history of Skiatook from its beginning to the present time.
In 1988, after 5 moves, the Skiatook Museum moved into the home of pioneer doctor W. G. Phillips. The home, built in 1912, contained his office. In 1910, Dr. Phillips settled in Skiatook and served the community for 50 years. His medical diploma and college graduation picture are on display at the museum.
The Skiatook Museum made Dr. Phillips' house its permanent home with the aid of the Oklahoma Historical Society
Oklahoma Historical Society
The Oklahoma Historical Society is an agency of the government of Oklahoma dedicated to promotion and preservation of Oklahoma's history and its people by collecting, interpreting, and disseminating knowledge and artifacts of Oklahoma....
, including grants to refurbish the house and set up display areas within its walls.
The museum board conducted a successful building fund campaign in 1999 and completed an addition to the home which has added much needed space for the display of local historical documents, as well as furniture and other household items of the town's pioneers.
Historians, students and all those looking for their family tree, who are searching for Skiatook's past can view the personal papers, documents and photographs of the town's pioneer families, events and places at the museum. Also provided is a microfilm reader to enable visitors to research into newspapers dating back to April 1905, the date the first newspaper in town began publishing.
Events
Skiatook hosts several events throughout the year, including the Pioneer Days Festival, complete with a parade, fly-in, Chili cook-off, art show, tractor show, car show, great entertainment, some parades, fun & games, delicious food from various vendors (at the parades), rides, a parade, vintage planes, a rodeo and an incredible parade; the "Fantasy in the Sky" Fourth of July celebration with concerts, The Parade, food and fireworks on Skiatook LakeSkiatook Lake
Skiatook Lake is located in Osage County, Oklahoma, 4 miles west of the town of Skiatook, and 11 miles east of Hominy, Oklahoma; about a half hour drive from Tulsa. The Skiatook Dam is located 14 miles upstream of the confluence of Hominy and Bird Creeks...
; a Bluegrass Festival; a fine art & quilt show in October; various fishing tournaments; and a Christmas parade.
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 5,396 people, 1,994 households, and 1,475 families residing in the town. 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 369.0 people per square mile (142.5/km2). There were 2,125 housing units at an average density of 145.3 per square mile (56.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 71.31% White, 0.50% African American, 18.75% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.39% 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 8.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.76% of the population.
There were 1,994 households out of which 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% 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, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the town the population was spread out with 31.0% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $32,946, and the median income for a family was $37,879. Males had a median income of $30,873 versus $21,419 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 town was $13,956. About 9.4% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.7% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.