Lexington, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lexington, Oklahoma
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Location of Lexington in Oklahoma
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Cleveland |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.48 sq mi (6.43 km2) |
| • Land | 2.41 sq mi (6.24 km2) |
| • Water | 0.07 sq mi (0.19 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,034 ft (315 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,010 |
| • Density | 833.68/sq mi (321.91/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
73051
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| Area code(s) | 405/572 |
| FIPS code | 40-42700 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2410830 |
Lexington is a small city located in Cleveland County, Oklahoma, in the United States. In 2020, about 2,010 people lived there. It's a place with a rich history and a strong connection to the Canadian River.
Contents
Exploring Lexington's Location
Lexington is found in the southern part of Cleveland County. The Canadian River forms its western border. This river also marks the line for McClain County.
Connecting Cities: Purcell and Norman
Right across the Canadian River from Lexington is the city of Purcell. These two cities are connected by U.S. Route 77. This highway also goes north from Lexington for about 16 miles to Norman. It continues for about 38 miles to the center of Oklahoma City.
Lexington's Size and Land Area
The United States Census Bureau says that Lexington covers a total area of about 2.4 square miles (6.2 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Understanding Lexington's Population
Lexington has seen its population change over the years. Here's a quick look at how many people have lived there:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 223 | — | |
| 1900 | 861 | 286.1% | |
| 1910 | 768 | −10.8% | |
| 1920 | 950 | 23.7% | |
| 1930 | 836 | −12.0% | |
| 1940 | 1,084 | 29.7% | |
| 1950 | 1,176 | 8.5% | |
| 1960 | 1,216 | 3.4% | |
| 1970 | 1,516 | 24.7% | |
| 1980 | 1,731 | 14.2% | |
| 1990 | 1,776 | 2.6% | |
| 2000 | 2,086 | 17.5% | |
| 2010 | 2,152 | 3.2% | |
| 2020 | 2,010 | −6.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were 2,152 people living in Lexington. They lived in 761 households, with 541 of those being families. The city had about 979 people per square mile.
Who Lives in Lexington?
About 85.6% of the people in Lexington were White. Around 6.5% were Native American. About 7.3% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Many households (36.9%) had children under 18 living with them. The average household had 2.6 people. The average family had 3.06 people.
Age Groups in the City
The population in Lexington is spread across different age groups. About 26.8% of the people were under 18 years old. Around 16.7% were 65 years or older. The average age in the city was 35 years.
Lexington's Past: A Look at Its History
Lexington has a long and interesting history, going back to the early 1800s.
Early Settlements and Treaties
In 1835, a place called Camp Holmes was set up north of where Lexington is today. Here, important groups like the Five Civilized Tribes, many Plains Indians, and the Osage Nation met. They signed the Treaty of Camp Holmes, promising peace among themselves and with the United States.
Later, a trading post was opened here by Auguste P. Chouteau. He renamed the spot Camp Mason. Even Jesse Chisholm, a famous trader, had a store in this area.
Founding the Town of Lexington
The area where Lexington is located was once part of the "Unassigned Lands". These were lands in Oklahoma that were not given to Native American tribes. The town of Lexington was planned before the big Land Rush of 1889. This was when people rushed to claim land. The town was named after Lexington, Kentucky. Its post office opened in 1890.
Lexington first became an official town in 1890. However, this didn't last long because of disagreements and high taxes. After some compromises, the town officially became a city again in 1892.
Lexington Before Oklahoma Became a State
Before Oklahoma became a state in 1907, Lexington was known for its businesses that sold alcohol. Many customers came from Purcell, a busy railroad town across the Canadian River. Purcell was in "dry" Indian Territory, meaning alcohol sales were not allowed there.
A large distillery, the Weitzenhoffer and Turk Distillery, opened near Lexington in 1900. It was the biggest distillery in Oklahoma Territory. It operated until 1907, when alcohol sales became illegal across the whole state. This was called prohibition.
From Military Base to Correctional Centers
During World War II, the United States Navy used land east of Lexington for a gunnery school. After the war, the State of Oklahoma took over the property. They built an annex for a mental hospital there.
In 1971, the Department of Corrections took over the property. They opened a prison called the Regional Treatment Center. Later, in 1976, the state started building the Lexington Assessment and Reception Center (LARC). This center is where all new prisoners entering Oklahoma's correctional system are processed. The Regional Treatment Center was renamed the Joseph Harp Correctional Center. It is a medium-security prison.
The James C. Nance Bridge: Connecting Communities
The US 77 James C. Nance Memorial Bridge connects Purcell and Lexington. It crosses the Canadian River. This bridge carries U.S. Route 77 and Oklahoma State Highway 39 between McClain County and Cleveland County.
History of the Bridge
The original bridge was built around 1938. It was a two-lane bridge. In 2019, a new, wider four-lane bridge was built in its place. The bridge is named after James C. Nance. He was a newspaper publisher and a leader in the Oklahoma government.
Why the Bridge is Important
The Nance bridge makes travel between Purcell and Lexington very quick, taking only about 3 minutes by car. If the bridge is closed, the same trip can take over an hour!
The 1938 bridge helped connect communities on both sides of the river. It allowed people and goods to move easily between towns like Purcell, Pauls Valley, Lexington, and Wanette. The new 2019 bridge has a similar design. It also includes a separate walkway for people to enjoy views of the South Canadian River valley.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation celebrated the opening of the new bridge on July 26, 2019. It was a big event, just like when the first bridge opened over 80 years ago.
Notable People from Lexington
Lexington has been home to several interesting and famous people:
- Woody Crumbo (1912—1989): A talented Potawatomi Native American artist. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1978 for his paintings.
- Harold Hamm (born 1945): A successful oil businessman who was born and grew up in Lexington.
- Cal Hobson (born 1945): A former leader in the Oklahoma State Senate.
- John Lucian Smith (1914—1972): An American Medal of Honor recipient and a Marine Corps flying ace. He was born in Lexington.
See also
In Spanish: Lexington (Oklahoma) para niños
