Brooksville, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brooksville, Oklahoma
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Location of Brooksville, Oklahoma
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Pottawatomie |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.98 sq mi (7.71 km2) |
| • Land | 2.98 sq mi (7.71 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 961 ft (293 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 71 |
| • Density | 23.83/sq mi (9.20/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| FIPS code | 40-09400 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411734 |
Brooksville is a small town located in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States. It is special because it is one of only thirteen "all-black towns" that still exist in Oklahoma today. These towns were created by and for African Americans. In 2020, the town had a population of 71 people.
Contents
History of Brooksville
Brooksville is one of over fifty "All-Black towns" that were founded in Oklahoma. These towns offered a place where African Americans could build their own communities and businesses. Brooksville was started in 1903. It was first called Sewell, named after a white doctor who owned land nearby and helped the residents.
How Brooksville Got Its Name
In 1909, the town's name was changed to Brooksville. This was to honor A. R. Brooks, who was the first African American to live in that area. He was a cotton buyer and a farmer. A. R. Brooks also served as the town's postmaster from 1909 to 1913. His son, William M. Brooks, took over the postmaster job after him.
Early Town Life
In 1906, a church called St. John's Baptist Church was started by Rev. Jedson White. The church building they built still stands today. Rev. White also encouraged other African Americans from the Southern United States to move to Brooksville. The town grew and had a Santa Fe Railroad station, three hotels, two doctors, and two mills.
The Banneker School
In 1924, a new school called Banneker School was built with help from the Rosenwald Fund. This fund helped build schools for African American children across the South. The Banneker School was a strong rock building with four large rooms, a big auditorium, a small library, and a special room for learning home skills.
A famous person named George W. McLaurin taught at this school. He later became the first African American graduate student at the University of Oklahoma. The original school building was later replaced by a wooden one after a fire. This wooden school served students until it closed in 1968. Today, the old school building is used as a community center for the town. It is located right next to the new city hall.
Challenges and Survival
Life became tough in Brooksville during the Great Depression and when the cotton market declined. Many people left the town during these hard times. However, Brooksville managed to survive. In the early 2000s, the town's population started to grow again.
Geography
Brooksville covers an area of about 3.0 square miles (7.7 square kilometers). All of this area is land, meaning there are no large lakes or rivers within the town limits.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 166 | — | |
| 1980 | 46 | — | |
| 1990 | 69 | 50.0% | |
| 2000 | 90 | 30.4% | |
| 2010 | 63 | −30.0% | |
| 2020 | 71 | 12.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 90 people living in Brooksville. These people lived in 32 households, and 23 of those were families. The town was home to people from different backgrounds, including African American, White, and Native American residents. Some people also identified with two or more races, and a small number were Hispanic or Latino.
Many households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had about 2.8 people. The population included people of all ages, from young children to seniors. The median age in the town was 32 years old. This means half the people were younger than 32, and half were older.
The average income for a household in Brooksville in 2000 was $45,625. While many families were doing well, about 15.4% of the population lived below the poverty line. This included some children under 18.
Education
Most of the students in Brooksville attend schools in the Macomb Public Schools district. A smaller part of the town is served by the Tecumseh Public Schools district.
See also
In Spanish: Brooksville (Oklahoma) para niños
