Gate, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gate, Oklahoma
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Location in Beaver County and state of Oklahoma.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Beaver |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.25 sq mi (0.65 km2) |
| • Land | 0.25 sq mi (0.65 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,264 ft (690 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 60 |
| • Density | 238.10/sq mi (91.96/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
73844
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| Area code(s) | 580 |
| FIPS code | 40-28800 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412673 |
Gate is a small town in Beaver County, Oklahoma, United States. In 2020, the population was 60 people. The town got its name because it was seen as the "gateway" to a large ranching area.
Contents
History of Gate
The area where Gate is located was once known as "No Man's Land." This meant it wasn't officially part of any state. Because there were no clear laws, it became a hiding spot for outlaws. People who committed crimes in nearby Kansas or Texas could escape justice by crossing into this area.
This lack of law made life hard for honest settlers. There was a lot of crime, like stealing and taking land from others. To protect themselves, settlers formed groups called "vigilance committees." These groups tried to bring order to the wild land. Gate and a nearby place called Neutral City were known for these tough times.
The Silica Mine
Geologists believe that a lot of volcanic ash settled in this area long ago. This ash likely came from a volcano in north-central New Mexico. Strong winds carried the ash, and it collected in low areas, much like snow drifts.
Evidence suggests the ash settled in a lake, which made the deposits very even and smooth. Over time, this ash formed a hill. A canyon cut through the middle of this deposit, showing the ash as tall cliffs. Scientists found that the ash in Gate is mostly silica (73%), with smaller amounts of other materials.
An Old Indian Battle
The hills south of Gate were once the site of an old battle. Soldiers from the cavalry fought against a group of Native Americans there. People have found old uniform buttons and bullet shells in the area. One person shared a story about being part of a battle that pushed Native American groups back to their assigned reservations.
How Gate Town Moved
In 1886, a post office was set up, and the area was first called Gate City. By 1894, the post office moved for the third time. It moved a short distance southeast, where several businesses had started. At this point, the name was shortened to just Gate.
Gate grew into a busy town. It had many shops, including two stables, a hotel, a barber shop, and a bank. There were also a doctor's office, churches, and a funeral home.
However, in 1910, the railroad was built, but it bypassed the town of Gate. To stay connected and keep their businesses thriving, the town's business owners decided to move the entire town to the railroad's path. This new location is where Gate stands today.
Geography
Gate is located at 36°51′7″N 100°3′21″W / 36.85194°N 100.05583°W.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town covers about 0.2 square miles (0.65 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Climate
| Climate data for Gate, Oklahoma | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 46.3 (7.9) |
51.5 (10.8) |
60.4 (15.8) |
71.3 (21.8) |
79.3 (26.3) |
89.6 (32.0) |
95.4 (35.2) |
93.3 (34.1) |
84.5 (29.2) |
74.2 (23.4) |
59.2 (15.1) |
48.4 (9.1) |
71.1 (21.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 18.5 (−7.5) |
23.2 (−4.9) |
31.2 (−0.4) |
43.1 (6.2) |
53.2 (11.8) |
63 (17) |
68.1 (20.1) |
66 (19) |
57.7 (14.3) |
44.4 (6.9) |
31.6 (−0.2) |
21.6 (−5.8) |
43.5 (6.4) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.6 (15) |
0.8 (20) |
1.7 (43) |
1.8 (46) |
3 (76) |
2.9 (74) |
2.4 (61) |
2.9 (74) |
2.1 (53) |
1.4 (36) |
1.1 (28) |
0.7 (18) |
21.5 (550) |
| Source 1: weather.com | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Weatherbase.com | |||||||||||||
Population of Gate
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 958 | — | |
| 1920 | 309 | −67.7% | |
| 1930 | 307 | −0.6% | |
| 1940 | 243 | −20.8% | |
| 1950 | 197 | −18.9% | |
| 1960 | 130 | −34.0% | |
| 1970 | 151 | 16.2% | |
| 1980 | 146 | −3.3% | |
| 1990 | 159 | 8.9% | |
| 2000 | 112 | −29.6% | |
| 2010 | 93 | −17.0% | |
| 2020 | 60 | −35.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, the town of Gate had 112 people living in 47 households. Most residents (98.21%) were White, and a small number (1.79%) were Native American. About 4.46% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Out of the 47 households, about 36% had children under 18 living there. Most households (68%) were married couples. The average household had 2.38 people.
The population was spread out by age. About 24% were under 18, and 16% were 65 or older. The average age in the town was 40 years old. For every 100 females, there were about 103.6 males.
See also
In Spanish: Gate (Oklahoma) para niños
