Alva, Oklahoma facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alva, Oklahoma
City
Location of Alva within Oklahoma
Country	United States
State	Oklahoma
County	Woods
Incorporated	1893; 132 years ago (1893)
Named for	Alva Adams
Government
• Type	Council-manager
Area
• Total	6.30 sq mi (16.33 km2)
• Land	6.30 sq mi (16.33 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	1,345 ft (410 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	5,028
• Density	797.46/sq mi (307.91/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	73717
Area code	580
FIPS code	40-01800
GNIS ID	2409690

Alva is a city located in Woods County, Oklahoma, in the United States. It's the main city of the county, also known as the county seat. The city is built along the Salt Fork Arkansas River. In 2020, about 5,028 people lived there. This was a small increase from 4,945 people in 2010. Alva is also home to the main campus of Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

History of Alva

Alva was started in 1893. It was a place where people could sign up for land during the Cherokee Outlet land run. This was the biggest land rush that helped settle western and central Oklahoma. The city was chosen because it was on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway line. It was probably named after Alva Adams, who was a lawyer for the railroad and later became the governor of Colorado.

Early Days and Railroads

In 1886, the Southern Kansas Railway started building its line through the Cherokee Outlet. Alva became the first train station southwest of Kiowa, Kansas. The train line was ready by 1887. This was just in time for the opening of the Unassigned Lands, which were areas ready for settlement.

When Oklahoma Territory was created in 1890, the Secretary of the Interior chose Alva as the main city for County M. A U.S. government land office opened there. On August 19, 1893, a special announcement opened the Cherokee Outlet for people to settle. The actual land run happened on September 16, 1893. By then, Alva's 320-acre (1.3 km²) area had been officially measured and mapped out.

Education and World War II

Northwestern Oklahoma State University, which was first called Northwestern Territorial Normal School, was started in Alva in 1897 by the government of the territory.

During World War II, Alva had a camp for German prisoners of war. On July 19, 1943, the U.S. Department of War decided that Camp Alva would hold the most difficult German prisoners.

Alva Today

Today, the city council in Alva is working to get more murals painted. They also want to bring in new businesses and tourists. This helps keep people living in town. The local newspaper, the Alva Review-Courier, is published three times a week.

Alva is also where the Oklahoma Department of Corrections has the Charles E. Johnson Correctional Center. This is a prison for male drug offenders. It can hold 630 people.

Geography and Climate

Alva is in the northeast part of Woods County, Oklahoma. It is about 65 miles (105 km) northeast of Woodward, Oklahoma. It's also about 72 miles (116 km) northwest of Enid, Oklahoma and 119 miles (192 km) southwest of Wichita, Kansas. The city covers about 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²) of land.

Alva's Weather

Population Changes in Alva

What the 2010 Census Showed

In 2010, Alva had 4,945 people living in 2,107 homes. Out of these homes, 1,134 were families. The population density was about 2,100 people per square mile (800/km²). There were 2,568 housing units in total.

Most of the people in Alva (90%) identified as white. Other groups included 2% African American, 2.1% Native American, and 1.1% Asian. About 4.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino.

About a quarter (24.9%) of homes had people under 18. Many homes (40.8%) were married couples. More than a third (36%) of homes had just one person living there.

Economy of Alva

Farming has always been the main part of Alva's economy. In the beginning, farms grew many different crops and raised various animals. Now, most of the original 160-acre farms have become much larger. They mostly focus on raising beef cattle and growing wheat.

Local Businesses

• Vantage Plane Plastics: This company is located at the airport. It says it's the "world's largest supplier" of approved inside parts for most small airplanes. In 2016, they had 24 employees and made $3.8 million in sales.
• Value Added Products: In 1998, some local wheat farmers started this company. It makes frozen dough. In 2017, it had 83 employees.
• Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU): This university is the biggest employer in Alva.

Sales Tax Information

Alva has a city sales tax of 4.35%. Woods County adds a 0.5% tax. The State of Oklahoma has a 4.5% tax. So, the total sales tax rate in Alva is 9.25%.

Education in Alva

The Alva Independent School District manages five public schools and a district office in the Alva area.

Northwestern Normal School, 1901

Alva is home to Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU). It was started in 1897 as a 'Northwestern Normal School'. At first, there were only three teachers, and classes were held in a church. The college's main building was built in 1899. It was known as the "Castle on the Hill" because it looked like a huge Norman castle. This building burned down in 1935. It was replaced by Jesse Dunn Hall, which was opened in 1937 by Eleanor Roosevelt.

By 1939, all normal schools, including Northwestern State College, started offering bachelor's degrees. In the 1950s, Northwestern added a program for master's degrees. In 1974, its name changed to 'Northwestern Oklahoma State University'. In 1996, the university added campuses in Woodward and Enid. The university also has strong sports teams, called the Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers. They compete in the Great American Conference.

Northwest Technology Center is also located in Alva.

Transportation in Alva

U.S. Route 64 goes through the center of Alva from east to west. It crosses U.S. Route 281, which runs north to south.

Airport and Railways

• Alva Regional Airport: This airport is south of the city. It is owned and run by the city. It's used for general aviation, meaning smaller planes.
• BNSF Railway: Alva is on the main train route between Los Angeles and Chicago. This route is called the Southern Transcon route of the BNSF Railway. About 90 freight trains pass through Alva every day. In 2015, BNSF Railway announced plans to add a second track through Alva. By 2018, almost the entire Southern Transcon had two tracks.

Media in Alva

• Alva Review-Courier - a newspaper published on Fridays.
• The Newsgram - a newspaper published on Wednesdays.
• KALV 1430 - a radio station.
• KRDR 105.7 - a radio station.
• KZLF 97.5 - a radio station.

Notable People from Alva

• Jessie Thatcher Bost (1875-1963) - The first female student at Oklahoma A&M University (now Oklahoma State University). She moved to Alva in 1908.
• Scott Case - A former player in the NFL (National Football League).
• Jesse James Dunn - He settled in Alva after the Land Run of 1893. He became one of the first judges on the Oklahoma State Supreme Court.
• Lex Frieden - An activist who works for the rights of people with disabilities. He was born in Alva.
• Mitchell Gale - A former quarterback for Abilene Christian University and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He was born in Alva and went to Alva High School.
• Jack Ging - An actor who was born in Alva.
• Joe L. Heaton - A United States federal judge who serves on a federal court. He was born in Alva.
• Hugh Johnson - An Army officer, businessman, and writer. He graduated from Alva High School in 1897.
• Marilyn Mason - A concert organist (someone who plays the organ in concerts). She was born in Alva.
• Bill McGill - A former Major League Baseball player for the St. Louis Browns.
• Lester Raymer - An artist who worked in many different art forms.
• Herbert D. Smith - A former member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He was born in Alva.
• Randy Terrill - A former member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He was born in Alva and went to Alva High School.

See also

In Spanish: Alva (Oklahoma) para niños