Ames, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ames, Oklahoma
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Location of Ames, Oklahoma
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Major |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.28 sq mi (0.72 km2) |
| • Land | 0.28 sq mi (0.72 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,211 ft (369 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 193 |
| • Density | 694.24/sq mi (267.72/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
73718
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| Area code(s) | 580 |
| FIPS code | 40-01950 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412361 |
Ames is a small town in Major County, Oklahoma, United States. In 2020, about 193 people lived there. This town is famous for being inside a special geological spot called the Ames crater. You can even visit the Ames Astrobleme Museum in town!
Contents
Ames: A Town's Story
How Ames Began
Ames started on September 16, 1893, when the Cherokee Outlet was opened. It was first called Hoyle, named after a nearby creek. A railroad line was built through the community. On January 4, 1902, the town was renamed Ames. It was named after Henry S. Ames, who worked for the railroad.
Population Changes Over Time
Ames had 278 people in 1920. Its largest population was 332 people in 1940. By 2010, the population was 239.
Oil Discovery in the Crater
In 1991, oil was found inside the Ames crater. This was an exciting discovery for the area.
Where is Ames Located?
Ames is in Oklahoma. It is about 93 miles from Oklahoma City. It is also 27 miles from Enid and 22 miles from Fairview. The town covers a total area of about 0.3 square miles, which is all land.
Fun Times in Ames: Annual Events
Every August, Ames celebrates "Ames Day." This event remembers when the town was founded. It also helps raise money for the town's volunteer fire department.
Ames Day is full of fun activities! These can include:
- Parades
- Golf tournaments
- Pie auctions
- Turtle races
- Greased pig chases
- Mutton busting competitions
- Chicken roping
- Cow patty bingo
- Tug of war games
- Baseball games
- Beard-growing contests
- Husband-calling competitions
Exploring the Ames Astrobleme Museum
What is an Astrobleme?
The Ames Astrobleme Museum opened on August 18, 2007. An "astrobleme" is another name for a very old, eroded impact crater. It is caused by a meteor hitting the Earth.
The Ames Crater's Story
The Ames crater was formed about 450 million years ago. This happened when a meteor crashed into the area. The town of Ames is located right in the middle of this huge crater. The crater is eight miles wide, which is similar to some craters you might see on the moon!
A Unique Oil-Producing Crater
The Ames crater is special because it is one of the few oil-producing craters in the world. There is about two miles of sediment covering the crater. By the end of 2006, almost 11 million barrels of oil had been produced from the Ames crater area. The museum shows videos and pictures about how the crater formed. It also explains how it became an important source of oil.
Ames Population Facts
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 278 | — | |
| 1930 | 290 | 4.3% | |
| 1940 | 332 | 14.5% | |
| 1950 | 263 | −20.8% | |
| 1960 | 211 | −19.8% | |
| 1970 | 227 | 7.6% | |
| 1980 | 314 | 38.3% | |
| 1990 | 268 | −14.6% | |
| 2000 | 199 | −25.7% | |
| 2010 | 239 | 20.1% | |
| 2020 | 193 | −19.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were 239 people living in Ames. The town's population has changed over the years. For example, it grew from 199 people in 2000 to 239 in 2010.
See also
In Spanish: Ames (Oklahoma) para niños
