Chickasha, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chickasha, Oklahoma
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Rock Island Depot in Chickasha
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Chickasha city limits on Grady County
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 Chickasha, Oklahoma
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Grady |
| Area | |
| • Total | 22.48 sq mi (58.23 km2) |
| • Land | 22.43 sq mi (58.11 km2) |
| • Water | 0.05 sq mi (0.12 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,112 ft (339 m) |
| Population
(2022)
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| • Total | 16,231 |
| • Density | 715.44/sq mi (276.24/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
73018, 73023
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| Area code(s) | 405 |
| FIPS code | 40-13950 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2409446 |
Chickasha (say "CHICK-uh-shay") is a city in Oklahoma, United States. It is the main city and county seat of Grady County. In 2022, about 16,231 people lived there.
The city's name, "Chickasha," comes from the Choctaw language. It is the Choctaw word for the Chickasaw people. Chickasha is also home to the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
Contents
Discovering Chickasha's Past
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Chickasha was started in 1892 by Hobart Johnstone Whitley. He was a land developer and worked for the Rock Island Railroad. The city began when the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway built train tracks through Indian Territory.
A post office opened in Chickasha in June 1892. One of the first big businesses was the Chickasha Cotton Oil Company, started in 1899. The town officially became a city in 1902. From 1910 to 1927, Chickasha even had its own electric trolley system called the Chickasha Street Railway.
How the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Began
In 1908, a school called the Oklahoma Industrial Institute and College for Girls opened in Chickasha. A local rancher named J. B. Sparks gave land for the school. He did this to honor his daughter, Nellie, who was a Chickasaw descendant.
The school's name changed to the Oklahoma College for Women in 1916. In 1965, it started accepting both boys and girls and was renamed the Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts. Today, it is known as the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
Chickasha During World War II
During World War II, a flying school called Wilson and Bonfis opened in Chickasha in 1941. It trained over 8,000 cadets for the U.S. Army Air Force. After the war, this site became the Chickasha Municipal Airport.
The army also built Borden General Hospital during the war. This area now holds Grady Memorial Hospital and Borden Park. A prisoner of war camp was set up in 1944. Today, this site is the Grady County Fairgrounds.
Exploring Chickasha's Location
Chickasha is located in the western part of Grady County. It is about 42 miles southwest of Oklahoma City. You can reach Oklahoma City using Interstate 44. This highway also connects Chickasha to Lawton, which is 47 miles southwest.
Several other major roads pass through Chickasha. U.S. Route 62 runs through the city as Choctaw Avenue. U.S. Route 81 goes through the city center. The Washita River flows through the northern part of Chickasha.
Chickasha's Weather and Climate
| Climate data for Chickasha, Oklahoma | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 87 (31) |
92 (33) |
98 (37) |
98 (37) |
102 (39) |
110 (43) |
116 (47) |
116 (47) |
109 (43) |
101 (38) |
89 (32) |
84 (29) |
116 (47) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 52 (11) |
57 (14) |
65 (18) |
75 (24) |
83 (28) |
90 (32) |
96 (36) |
96 (36) |
88 (31) |
76 (24) |
64 (18) |
53 (12) |
75 (24) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 26 (−3) |
30 (−1) |
38 (3) |
48 (9) |
58 (14) |
67 (19) |
71 (22) |
70 (21) |
61 (16) |
49 (9) |
38 (3) |
28 (−2) |
48 (9) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −11 (−24) |
−10 (−23) |
−8 (−22) |
21 (−6) |
27 (−3) |
45 (7) |
52 (11) |
43 (6) |
34 (1) |
13 (−11) |
8 (−13) |
4 (−16) |
−11 (−24) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.5 (38) |
1.8 (46) |
2.9 (74) |
3.5 (89) |
4.6 (120) |
4.9 (120) |
2.4 (61) |
3.5 (89) |
3.6 (91) |
4.1 (100) |
2.2 (56) |
2.0 (51) |
36.9 (940) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 1 (2.5) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 (2.5) |
2 (5.1) |
| Average rainy days | 3.2 | 3.2 | 4.8 | 6.4 | 7.3 | 6.6 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 3.2 | 3.6 | 58.3 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 70 | 69 | 62 | 62 | 71 | 69 | 67 | 64 | 63 | 65 | 63 | 67 | 66 |
| Source: Weatherbase.com | |||||||||||||
People and Population in Chickasha
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 3,209 | — | |
| 1910 | 10,320 | 221.6% | |
| 1920 | 10,179 | −1.4% | |
| 1930 | 14,099 | 38.5% | |
| 1940 | 14,111 | 0.1% | |
| 1950 | 15,842 | 12.3% | |
| 1960 | 14,886 | −6.0% | |
| 1970 | 14,194 | −4.6% | |
| 1980 | 15,828 | 11.5% | |
| 1990 | 14,988 | −5.3% | |
| 2000 | 15,850 | 5.8% | |
| 2010 | 16,036 | 1.2% | |
| 2020 | 16,051 | 0.1% | |
| Sources: | |||
In 2022, Chickasha had 16,231 people living there. About 72% of the people were White, 7% Black or African American, and 4% Native American. About 8% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in Chickasha was 36.4 years old. About 22.8% of the population was under 18. The median income for a household was about $55,136. Most people worked for private companies.
Chickasha's Economy and Jobs
Since the city's early days, farming has been very important to Chickasha. This includes growing wheat and raising cattle. In the mid-1900s, manufacturing also became a big part of the economy. Companies like ArvinMeritor Replacement Parts and Delta Faucet opened factories in the 1970s.
Fun Things to Do in Chickasha
Chickasha has many fun events and places to visit.
The Annual Festival of Light
The city's yearly Festival of Light happens at Shannon Springs Park. This park is 43 acres large. The festival runs every night from Thanksgiving until the end of December. You can enjoy carriage rides, take pictures with Santa, and shop.
The Festival of Light has won many awards. It has been called a "Top 100 Event" and a "National Top 25 Holiday Event." Over 1,200 volunteers help set up the lights. The park has more than 3.5 million lights, and the crystal pedestrian bridge alone has over 75,000 lights! This event brings in over 250,000 visitors each year.
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Festivals
The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) hosts a yearly event called the Spring Triad. This event includes three parts:
- The Montmartre Chalk Art Festival
- The Droverstock music festival
- The Scholastic Meet
The chalk art festival has over 700 artists who create amazing art with chalk. Droverstock is a music festival with over 12 hours of live music. The Scholastic Meet is a big academic competition. About 1,000 students from over 50 Oklahoma counties compete in subjects like math, science, and history.
Muscle Car Ranch Events
The Muscle Car Ranch is located on the south side of Chickasha. It hosts an annual swap meet and concert in August. The Ranch is on 70 acres of an old dairy farm. It displays hundreds of old advertisements and items from the last 75 years of American history.
The concert has featured famous rock and roll bands like The Byrds and Bad Company. Chickasha is also known for its Pre-war Swap Meet. This event is considered one of the best places in the U.S. for collectors of cars made before 1942, especially Ford Model T cars.
Parks and Outdoor Activities
Lake Chickasha is owned by the city. It is located northwest of town in Caddo County. At the lake, you can go swimming, boating, and enjoy other water sports. There are also places for hiking, camping, and playgrounds.
Shannon Springs Park has a splash pad and a pool. You can also fish for free if you are under 16 or over 65. The park has playgrounds, an outdoor theater, and pavilions. Many events are held here, like the yearly Festival of Lights.
The Chickasha Sports Complex is a great place for sports. It hosts baseball, softball, and soccer tournaments for the region. It also provides fields for local games and practices.
Education in Chickasha
The Chickasha Public School District includes:
- Chickasha High School
- Chickasha Middle School
- Lincoln Elementary
- Grand Elementary
- Bill Wallace Early Childhood Center
Historic Verden Separate School
Chickasha is home to a historic schoolhouse that once served Black children in Grady County. The Verden Separate School was built in 1910 by Allen Toles, an African American man. It was located in the nearby town of Verden. The school was used until 1935.
Historians found the school building in 2004. It was restored and moved to Chickasha. In 2005, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Higher Education and Vocational Training
A branch of Canadian Valley Technology Center is in Chickasha. It offers job training and community education.
The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is also in Chickasha. It is Oklahoma's public liberal arts college. It started in 1908 as a college for girls. Today, it is a coeducational university.
Getting Around Chickasha
Chickasha has several important roads that help people travel. These include Interstate 44, US Route 62, US Route 81, and US Route 277.
The Chickasha Municipal Airport is about 3 miles northwest of the city. It has multiple runways for airplanes. For bigger flights, Will Rogers World Airport is about 38 miles northeast.
Train freight service is provided by Union Pacific. Union Pacific has honored Chickasha as a "Train Town USA." This is because of the city's long and special connection with the railroad.
Famous People from Chickasha
Many notable people have connections to Chickasha, including:
- Stephen Alexander, a football player for the Washington Redskins.
- Dane Evans, a professional football quarterback.
- Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher, an African-American lawyer and activist.
- Shug Fisher, a western film actor and singer.
- Kendra Horn, a congresswoman.
- JaCoby Jones, a Major League Baseball player.
- Merle Kilgore, a country music personality.
- Cleavon Little, a famous actor and comedian.
- Don McNeill, an American tennis player.
- Orville Moody, a professional golfer.
- Lee Pace, an actor.
- Leon Polk Smith, a painter.
- Robert Streb, a PGA tour golfer.
- Mary Frances Thompson (Te Ata Fisher), a Chickasaw actress who attended USAO.
- Bill Wallace, a children's author. A local early childhood center is named after him.
- Reggie Willits, a former baseball player.
Images for kids
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Chickasha, 1909
See also
In Spanish: Chickasha (Oklahoma) para niños
