Morris, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Morris, Oklahoma
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| Motto(s):
The Little City With a Big Welcome
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Location of Morris, Oklahoma
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Okmulgee |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.27 sq mi (3.30 km2) |
| • Land | 1.22 sq mi (3.16 km2) |
| • Water | 0.05 sq mi (0.14 km2) |
| Elevation | 722 ft (220 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,299 |
| • Density | 1,064.75/sq mi (411.08/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
74445
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| Area code(s) | 539/918 |
| FIPS code | 40-49400 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411168 |
Morris is a city located in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, in the United States. In 2020, about 1,299 people lived there.
Contents
History of Morris
Morris started as a small stop for cattle on a railway line. This railway, called the Ozark and Cherokee Central Railway, later became part of the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway, also known as the "Frisco." The first post office opened in Morris on January 4, 1904.
Founding the Town
The town was officially planned in 1904 by a lawyer named L. R. Kershaw. He worked for the Frisco railway. Kershaw named the town after H. E. Morris, who was an important person at the Frisco company. Many of the street names in Morris are named after towns in Illinois, where Kershaw was from.
Kershaw also helped start two of the first banks in Morris: The Farmer's State Bank in 1905 and the First National Bank in 1907.
Morris News and Economy
The local newspaper, the Morris News, began in 1910 and is still published today.
Early on, Morris grew a lot because of mining. There was coal close to the surface, and an oil boom happened around the Morris Pool area. More recently, farming and ranching have helped the town's economy.
Tornado Impact
On April 26, 1984, a powerful tornado hit Morris. It destroyed the entire business area and about half of the homes in the city.
Geography of Morris
Morris is located about 8 miles (13 km) east of Okmulgee. It sits where U.S. Highway 62 and State Highway 52 meet.
The city covers a total area of about 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2). Most of this area is land, with a small part (about 0.1 square miles or 0.26 km2) being water.
Parks and Recreation
Morris has several places for fun and outdoor activities.
Eagle Park
Eagle Park is located at 1001N North Hughes Avenue. It has a playground where kids can play and a walking trail for people to enjoy.
Morris Youth Sports Complex
The town also has the Morris Youth Sports Complex. This is where Little League tournaments and other sports events are held for young people.
Nearby Nature Areas
Lake Eufaula, which is Oklahoma's largest lake, is located southeast of Morris. The Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge is to the southwest, offering a place to see nature and wildlife.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 1,926 | — | |
| 1930 | 1,706 | −11.4% | |
| 1940 | 1,197 | −29.8% | |
| 1950 | 1,122 | −6.3% | |
| 1960 | 982 | −12.5% | |
| 1970 | 1,119 | 14.0% | |
| 1980 | 1,288 | 15.1% | |
| 1990 | 1,216 | −5.6% | |
| 2000 | 1,294 | 6.4% | |
| 2010 | 1,479 | 14.3% | |
| 2020 | 1,299 | −12.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 1,294 people living in Morris. The population density was about 1,174 people per square mile (453 people per km2). The average household had about 2.72 people, and the average family had about 3.24 people.
The median age in the city was 34 years old. About 31% of the population was under 18 years old.
Notable Residents
- Robert McMurtry (1950–2012), an author and painter.
Images for kids
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Morris, Oklahoma, map with Frisco Railroad right of way
See also
In Spanish: Morris (Oklahoma) para niños
