Port, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Port
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 Port
Location in Oklahoma
Port
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Washita |
| Elevation | 1,696 ft (517 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1096839 |
Port is a small, quiet community located in Washita County, Oklahoma, United States. It is an unincorporated community, meaning it does not have its own local government like a city or town.
Contents
History of Port
Port has an interesting past, even though it's a small place. It was named after Mrs. F. M. Port, who was a druggist.
Early Days and the Post Office
The community of Port had its own post office for many years. It opened on February 21, 1901, and served the local residents until February 29, 1940. A post office was very important back then for sending and receiving mail.
The Huge School District
During the 1930s, the school district in Port was quite remarkable. It was a "consolidated school district," which means smaller schools in the area combined into one larger school. This district covered about ninety square miles, making it the largest school district in Oklahoma at that time. Many students from a wide area came to learn here.
The Western Cattle Trail
Before people settled in Port, a famous path called the Western Cattle Trail passed very close to where the community is now. This trail was used by cowboys to move large herds of cattle from Texas to markets in the north. It was a busy route for livestock in the late 1800s.
Population and Growth
In 1940, the community of Port had a population of 68 people. This shows it has always been a small, close-knit rural area.
Oklahoma's State Soil
Port is even famous for its soil! The official state soil of Oklahoma is called Port Silt Loam. This type of soil is named after the Port community and is very important for farming in the region because it's fertile and good for growing crops.
