Albion, Oklahoma facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Albion, Oklahoma
Town
Location of Albion, Oklahoma
Country	United States
State	Oklahoma
County	Pushmataha
Area
• Total	0.24 sq mi (0.62 km2)
• Land	0.24 sq mi (0.61 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	663 ft (202 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	58
• Density	245.76/sq mi (94.96/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	74521
Area codes	539/918
FIPS code	40-01050
GNIS feature ID	2412344

Albion is a small town in Pushmataha County, Oklahoma, in the United States. It's located about 2 miles (3.2 km) south of the county line with Latimer County. In 2020, 58 people lived there.

When Albion was first created, before Oklahoma became a state, it was part of Indian Territory. This was a special area set aside for Native American tribes.

History of Albion

Early Days of Albion

A United States Post Office first opened in Albion on December 6, 1887. Charles F. Igo was the very first postmaster, which is the person in charge of the post office.

In its early years, Albion was a town known for its sawmills. These mills cut down trees to make lumber. Later, it became a place where farmers could trade their crops, like cotton.

The Railroad Arrives

Between 1885 and 1886, a railway company called the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway, or "Frisco" for short, built a train line. This line went from north to south through the Choctaw Nation. It connected Fort Smith, Arkansas, with Paris, Texas.

Albion was chosen as a stop because it was close to the Kiamichi River. The river provided plenty of water, which was important for the steam trains. Other train stops were also set up nearby.

The railroad followed the Kiamichi River for much of its path. Train stations were built every few miles. These stations helped open up the land and served as homes for railroad workers. Supervisors lived in these "section houses" to manage the tracks. The stations also allowed trains to get water.

Changes in Transportation

For a long time, the Frisco Railroad was the main way to travel. It ran six trains a day, three going each way. Passenger trains stopped running in the late 1950s. Freight trains, which carried goods, continued until 1981, when the railroad closed completely and the tracks were removed.

Luckily, when passenger trains stopped, U.S. Highway 271 was built. This new road helped people travel by car instead of by train.

Albion's Place in History

When Albion was founded, it was part of Wade County in the Choctaw Nation.

Albion has always been closely connected to Talihina, a town to its north. In 1905, people planning a new state called State of Sequoyah wanted Albion to be in the same county as Talihina. However, the state of Sequoyah was never created. Instead, Oklahoma became a state, and Albion ended up in a county where most people live far to its southwest.

Albion grew a lot in its first few decades. Most businesses were around a town square, with homes nearby. But in recent years, the town has become much smaller. In 1920, about 300 people lived there. By 1990, the population had dropped to only 88. You can find more information about Albion at the Pushmataha County Historical Society.

Famous Resident: Mato Kosyk

In 1912, a famous poet and author named Mato Kosyk moved to Albion. He came from Germany and was a Lutheran minister. He chose Albion because he thought its climate was healthy and the views of the Kiamichi Mountains were beautiful. Kosyk lived in Albion for 28 years until he passed away in 1940.

Mato Kosyk is considered one of the most important writers in the Sorbian language. Sorbian is a Slavic language spoken in parts of Germany. His 150th birthday was celebrated by his fans in Europe in 2003.

In 1979, the Mato Kosyk House in Albion was added to the NRHP. This means it's an important historical building. It's special because it's the only building left that was connected to the famous poet.

The post office in Albion was considered for closure by the US Postal Service in 2012.

Geography

Albion is located in a specific spot on Oklahoma's statewide grid, known as T2-2N-R21E. The town covers about 0.2 square miles (0.62 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within the town limits.

Demographics

In 2010, there were 106 people living in Albion. The town had 62 houses.

Based on the 2000 census, most people in Albion were White (about 84%). About 12.6% were Native American, and a small number were from two or more races.

There were 53 households in 2000. About one-third of these households had children under 18 living there. Many households were married couples living together. Some households had a female head with no husband present. About one-third of all households were made up of single people.

The average age of people in Albion in 2000 was 34 years old. About 36% of the population was under 18. About 17% were 65 years or older.

Notable people

• Mato Kosyk, a Sorbian writer who lived in Albion.

See also

In Spanish: Albion (Oklahoma) para niños