Corn, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Corn, Oklahoma
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
Location of Corn, Oklahoma
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Washita |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.35 sq mi (0.90 km2) |
| • Land | 0.35 sq mi (0.90 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,585 ft (483 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 472 |
| • Density | 1,696.28/sq mi (655.82/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
73024
|
| Area code(s) | 580 |
| FIPS code | 40-17300 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2413242 |
Corn is a small town located in Washita County, Oklahoma, in the United States. In 2010, about 503 people lived there. By 2020, the population was 472.
Contents
Geography of Corn
Corn is found in the western part of Oklahoma. It is about 13 miles northeast of a town called Cordell.
The U.S. Census Bureau says that Corn covers a total area of about 0.357 square miles (0.90 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
History of Corn
How Corn Got Its Name
The town of Corn was first called Korn. This is a German word that means 'grain'. The town was settled by people from Germany. Many sources say the first post office was set up near a corn field.
During World War I, many people in the United States felt strongly against anything German. Because of this, the town's name was changed from Korn to Corn.
Founding and Early Years
The town of Corn was first settled by German-speaking Mennonites who came from Russia. Around 1892, a Land Run opened up new lands. A Mennonite missionary named John J. Kliewer invited other Mennonites from Kansas to settle here. These lands were not claimed by the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes.
In 1892, sixteen Mennonite families claimed land. By 1893, about forty families had moved to the area. These settlers brought a special kind of winter wheat called "Turkey Red." This wheat grew very well in the soil of western Oklahoma.
In 1894, Peter Bergman gave some of his land to build a church. A simple Mennonite church was built. It was a dugout with a low roof and walls made of sod (earth and grass). The church benches were made from local Cottonwood trees. Between 1893 and 1920, eight Mennonite churches were built near the town.
To celebrate its 100th year, Corn received a special marker from the state. This marker honored the town's farming history and its Mennonite heritage.
The Korn post office opened on April 27, 1896. It was first in a home outside the town. Later, it moved to a store owned by James Kendall. When Kendall's town plan did not work out, the post office moved again in 1903. It found its home in George B. Flaming's store, where the town of Corn is today.
During World War I, some people in and around Corn faced difficulties. This was because of their German background and their Mennonite religious beliefs. Their beliefs meant they chose not to fight in wars. Besides changing the town's name from Korn to Corn, a German-language newspaper also stopped printing.
Education in Corn
A private Christian school was started in 1902 by the Mennonite Brethren Church. It was a Bible and language school. Today, it is known as Corn Bible Academy. It has been teaching students for over 100 years. It is the oldest Christian school west of the Mississippi. As of 2016, it taught students in grades 7 through 12.
In 1968, the public school from nearby Colony joined with Corn's public schools. They formed the Washita Heights School District. In 2010, people voted to close the Washita Heights school district. This was because there were not enough students or money. The nearby Cordell schools then took over the Washita Heights district.
Population of Corn
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1960 | 317 | — | |
| 1970 | 409 | 29.0% | |
| 1980 | 542 | 32.5% | |
| 1990 | 548 | 1.1% | |
| 2000 | 591 | 7.8% | |
| 2010 | 503 | −14.9% | |
| 2020 | 592 | 17.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Corn's Population in 2010
In 2010, the Census Bureau reported that 503 people lived in Corn. There were 188 households and 118 family households. Most of the people (93.6%) were white. About 42.7% of the population was male, and 57.3% was female.
The average household had 2.22 people. The average family had 2.86 people. About 84.9% of the population was 18 years or older. Also, 37.8% of the people were 65 years or older. The average age in Corn was 53.6 years.
Economy of Corn
Farming has always been very important for Corn and the area around it. Farmers in this region grow crops like wheat, cotton, sorghum, barley, rye, and peanuts.
See also
In Spanish: Corn (Oklahoma) para niños
