Roff, Oklahoma facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Roff, Oklahoma
Town
Nickname(s):  Roff IT
Location of Roff, Oklahoma
Country	United States
State	Oklahoma
County	Pontotoc
Area
• Total	0.93 sq mi (2.40 km2)
• Land	0.92 sq mi (2.39 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation	1,253 ft (382 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	632
• Density	685.47/sq mi (264.56/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	74865
Area code(s)	580
FIPS code	40-63750
GNIS feature ID	2412569

Roff is a small town located in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, in the United States. In 2010, the town had a population of 725 people. By 2020, the population was 632.

Geography of Roff

Roff is located in Oklahoma. The United States Census Bureau says the town covers about 0.9 square miles (2.4 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a very small part being water.

Population Changes in Roff

In 2000, Roff had 734 residents living in 287 households. About 35.9% of these households had children under 18. The average household had 2.56 people.

The town's population was spread out by age. About 27.4% of residents were under 18. The median age in Roff was 36 years old.

History of Roff

How Roff Got Its Name

Roff is an official community in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma. It is about eighteen miles southwest of Ada. The town is named after Joseph T. Roff. He was a rancher who moved to the Chickasaw Nation in Indian Territory in 1871.

Joseph Roff and his family settled near where Roff is now in 1883. A community started to grow along the Blue River. This happened after Roff began leasing his land to other people in 1885. A school was started in 1889. A post office, named Roff, opened in June 1890. Joseph Roff was the first postmaster.

Growth and Development

The St. Louis, Oklahoma and Southern Railway was built just south of Roff in December 1900. Because of the railway, the village moved to be closer to the tracks. The area was measured and planned out the next spring. A company was formed to sell lots of land in the new town. Joseph Roff became the town's first mayor.

Roff grew because of farming. There were cotton gins, flour mills, and grain stores. Farmers in the area grew cotton and raised animals like cattle, hogs, and horses. Other early businesses included a bottling factory, a brick factory, and bakeries.

Industries and Newspapers

The Mid-Continent Glass Sand Company started in 1912. This company produced silicon dioxide, also known as glass sand. This sand was used to make jars, glasses, and other containers. It was an important product from Roff for many years.

Roff also had several newspapers. Some of these included the Roff Tribune, the Roff Enterprise, the Roff Eagle, and the Blue Valley Farmer.

Population Changes Over Time

When Oklahoma became a state in 1907, Roff had 1,079 people. The population reached its highest point in 1920 with 1,138 residents. Roff's population started to decrease in the 1920s. This was because crop prices went down. The decline continued through the Great Depression and World War II.

The First State Bank of Roff closed in 1934. The town did not have a bank again until the 1970s. Train passenger service stopped in 1960. The population dropped from 772 in 1930 to 632 in 1970. However, it increased to 729 by 1980.

In 2000, Roff had 734 residents and fifteen businesses. These businesses included a restaurant, a car dealership, and gas stations. There was also a company that built houses. The Roff School District had 330 students in 2000. The Roff National Guard Armory is a historic building. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Education

Students in Roff attend schools within the Roff Public Schools district.

See also

In Spanish: Roff (Oklahoma) para niños