Dover, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dover, Oklahoma
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 Dover, Oklahoma
Location in Oklahoma
Dover, Oklahoma
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Kingfisher |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.31 sq mi (0.80 km2) |
| • Land | 0.31 sq mi (0.80 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,037 ft (316 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 400 |
| • Density | 1,286.17/sq mi (497.19/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
73734
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| Area code(s) | 405/572 |
| FIPS code | 40-21350 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412447 |
Dover is a small town located in Kingfisher County, Oklahoma, in the United States. In 2020, about 400 people lived there. It's a quiet place with an interesting past.
Contents
Dover's Past: A Look at History
Early Days and Settlement
The land around Dover was once perfect for raising cattle. By 1884, all the land was rented out to cattle ranchers. A trading post called the Red Fork Traders' Ranch was set up near the famous Chisholm Trail. This area became open for people to settle during the Land Run of 1889. The trading post was in a good spot for the farmers who moved nearby.
The Rock Island Railroad built tracks through the Traders' Ranch. They also built a bridge over the Cimarron River in October 1889. A small community called Red Wing grew up around the ranch. In 1890, a post office was opened and named "Dover," and the community soon took that name. By 1893, about 150 people lived there. This number grew to around 500 by 1910.
The Wild Bunch Train Robbery
On April 3, 1895, an outlaw group known as the Wild Bunch stopped a Rock Island train in Dover. The gang tried to open a safe that held $50,000 in army money, but they couldn't. So, they took money and valuables from the passengers instead. A group of lawmen surprised the gang around noon, and they scattered. This event in Dover was the last time the Wild Bunch robbed a train as a whole gang. However, individual members of the gang continued their activities.
Train Bridge Collapse Disaster
On September 18, 1906, a bridge over the Cimarron River near Dover collapsed. A Rock Island train was crossing it on its way to Fort Worth, Texas from Chicago. The bridge was only a temporary one and couldn't handle the strong water and debris. The railroad had put off building a stronger, permanent bridge because of money issues. This sad event caused some people to be hurt or to lose their lives.
Modern Times: Tornado Impact
In May 1999, a powerful tornado hit Dover. It destroyed about one-third of the town. Sadly, one person died during this natural disaster.
Where is Dover Located?
Size and Surroundings
Dover is located about 9 miles (14 kilometers) north of Kingfisher.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town covers a total area of about 0.3 square miles (0.8 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Who Lives in Dover?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1980 | 570 | — | |
| 1990 | 376 | −34.0% | |
| 2000 | 367 | −2.4% | |
| 2010 | 464 | 26.4% | |
| 2020 | 400 | −13.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 367 people living in Dover. There were 138 households and 98 families. The town had about 1,187 people per square mile.
Many households (42%) had children under 18 living with them. Most households (53.6%) were married couples living together. About 26.1% of all households were made up of people living alone. About 13% of these were people aged 65 or older.
The average age of people in Dover was 34 years old. About 31.6% of the population was under 18. About 10.4% were 65 years or older.
The average income for a household in Dover was $34,219. For families, the average income was $36,563. About 15.1% of the population lived below the poverty line. This included 17.8% of those under 18 and 6.1% of those aged 65 or over.
