Laverne, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Laverne, Oklahoma
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Location in Harper County and the state of Oklahoma.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Harper |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.75 sq mi (1.94 km2) |
| • Land | 0.75 sq mi (1.94 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,116 ft (645 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,223 |
| • Density | 1,632.84/sq mi (630.72/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
73848
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| Area code(s) | 580 |
| FIPS code | 40-41700 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412880 |
Laverne is a small town in Harper County, Oklahoma, United States. In 2020, about 1,223 people lived there. It's a friendly place with a rich history.
Contents
History of Laverne
The story of Laverne began in 1903. A man named John Mollman set up his home and farm, called a homestead, in the area. At that time, it was part of Woodward County in the Oklahoma Territory.
A post office named Laverne was already operating nearby since 1896. However, it closed in 1908. Mail was then sent to another post office called Speedmore.
In 1911, Mollman sold some of his land. A person who plans and sells land for new towns, called a townsite promoter, bought it. They divided the land into lots and started selling them. A railroad company, the Wichita Falls and Northwestern Railway, reached the new settlement in the spring of 1912. This railroad was part of the larger Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway system.
The old Laverne post office moved to this new spot in May 1912. This is how the community got its name, Laverne. By June 1912, the town was growing fast. It had 44 businesses, including banks and hotels. Two famous hotels, the Fox Hotel and the Clover Hotel, were built that same year.
Geography of Laverne
Laverne is located where two main roads meet: U.S. Highway 283 and State Highway 149. It is about 23 miles (37 km) southwest of Buffalo. It is also about 179 miles (288 km) northwest of Oklahoma City, the state capital.
The town covers a total area of about 0.7 square miles (1.9 square kilometers). All of this area is land. There is no water within the town limits.
To the west of Laverne, you can find Lake Evans Chambers. This lake is a popular spot for outdoor activities.
Population Changes in Laverne
The number of people living in Laverne has changed over the years. Here's how the population has grown and shrunk:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 476 | — | |
| 1930 | 903 | 89.7% | |
| 1940 | 816 | −9.6% | |
| 1950 | 1,269 | 55.5% | |
| 1960 | 1,937 | 52.6% | |
| 1970 | 1,337 | −31.0% | |
| 1980 | 1,563 | 16.9% | |
| 1990 | 1,269 | −18.8% | |
| 2000 | 1,097 | −13.6% | |
| 2010 | 1,344 | 22.5% | |
| 2020 | 1,223 | −9.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 1,097 people living in Laverne. The average age of people in the town was 41 years old. About 23.6% of the population was under 18 years old.
Economy of Laverne
For a long time, Laverne's economy depended mostly on farming. Farmers grew crops like broomcorn and wheat. Raising cattle was also very important. After 1920, hay became a major crop, as broomcorn was no longer as popular.
In the 1920s, finding oil and gas in the area became very important. During the 1950s, there was a big increase in oil production. This led to Laverne being called "the Oil Capital of Northwest Oklahoma" for a while.
The railroad, which was so important for the town's growth, stopped its service to Laverne in 1972. The tracks were eventually removed.
Today, the town has a local newspaper called the Laverne Leader Tribune. It is published every week.
Education in Laverne
The public school system in Laverne serves students from several nearby areas. Children from Harper County, Ellis County, and even Beaver County come to Laverne for their education.
Historic Sites in Laverne
There are several places near Laverne that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These sites are important because they tell us about the history of the area.
Some of these historic places include:
- Beagley-Stinson Archeological Site
- Clover Hotel
- Fox Hotel
- Laverne's North Main Street District
- M. K. and T. Depot in Laverne
- Sharp Lumberyard
Notable People from Laverne
Laverne has been home to some well-known people:
- Jane Anne Jayroe: She was crowned Miss America in 1967. Jane later became a news anchor in Oklahoma City and Dallas. She moved to Laverne with her family when she was a child. A main street in Laverne was even renamed in her honor.
- Jimmy Webb: He is a famous songwriter and musician. Jimmy lived in Laverne and attended Laverne Public Schools for a year. He often says Laverne is his hometown in Oklahoma, even though he later moved to California to start his music career.
See also
In Spanish: Laverne (Oklahoma) para niños
