Rentiesville, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rentiesville, Oklahoma
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Location of Rentiesville, Oklahoma
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | McIntosh |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.67 sq mi (4.32 km2) |
| • Land | 1.67 sq mi (4.32 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 594 ft (181 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 103 |
| • Density | 61.75/sq mi (23.84/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
74459
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| Area code(s) | 539/918 |
| FIPS code | 40-62950 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412543 |
Rentiesville is a small town in McIntosh County, Oklahoma, United States. It was started in 1903 and got its name from William Rentie, who owned land there. Rentiesville is special because it was one of about 50 towns in Oklahoma created for African Americans. It is also one of only 13 such towns that are still active today. In 2020, about 103 people lived in Rentiesville.
Contents
History of Rentiesville
Early Beginnings and Key Events
A very important event in American history happened near Rentiesville. The Battle of Honey Springs was fought about half a mile east of where Rentiesville is now. This battle was the biggest fight in Oklahoma during the Civil War. Today, the Honey Springs Battlefield is a special place listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Rentiesville was founded in 1903. It was built on land owned by William Rentie and Phoebe McIntosh. The town's post office opened on May 11, 1904. Rentiesville also became a stop for trains on the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad.
William Rentie was the only law officer in town until 1908. Sadly, he was shot and killed by a man he had arrested.
Population Changes Over Time
The number of people living in Rentiesville has changed a lot over the years. In 1910, there were 411 residents. By 1990, the population had dropped to 66 people. However, the town has seen some growth since then. In 2000, 102 people lived there, and by 2010, the population grew to 128. The 2020 census showed 103 residents.
Geography of Rentiesville
Rentiesville is located in Oklahoma. It is about five miles north-northeast of a town called Checotah. It is also a short distance east of U.S. Route 69, which is a major road.
The famous Honey Springs Battlefield is very close to Rentiesville. It is less than a mile north of the town. The town covers an area of about 1.7 square miles (4.32 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
People of Rentiesville
Population Details
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 411 | — | |
| 1920 | 255 | −38.0% | |
| 1930 | 154 | −39.6% | |
| 1940 | 180 | 16.9% | |
| 1950 | 156 | −13.3% | |
| 1960 | 122 | −21.8% | |
| 1970 | 96 | −21.3% | |
| 1980 | 78 | −18.7% | |
| 1990 | 66 | −15.4% | |
| 2000 | 102 | 54.5% | |
| 2010 | 128 | 25.5% | |
| 2020 | 103 | −19.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 102 people living in Rentiesville. The town had 42 households. Most of the people living in Rentiesville were African American (about 65%). About 27% were White, and nearly 5% were Native American. A small number of people were from two or more racial backgrounds.
The age of people in Rentiesville varied. About 25% of the population was under 18 years old. About 20% of the people were 65 years old or older. The average age in the town was 42 years.
Notable People from Rentiesville
Rentiesville, though small, has been home to some important people.
- John Hope Franklin (1915–2009) was a very famous historian and author. He wrote many books, including "From Slavery to Freedom." He was a professor at Duke University. John Hope Franklin was born in Rentiesville. His father, B. C. Franklin, was the town's second postmaster.
- D.C. Minner (1935–2008) was a talented blues singer. He was also born in Rentiesville. D.C. Minner owned a music club in Rentiesville called the 'Down Home Blues Club'. He and his wife, Selby Minner, started a popular yearly blues festival there. It is called the 'Dusk 'til Dawn Blues Festival'.
See also
In Spanish: Rentiesville (Oklahoma) para niños
