Seminole, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Seminole, Oklahoma
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The Seminole Municipal Building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places
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Location of Seminole, Oklahoma
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Seminole |
| Area | |
| • Total | 14.25 sq mi (36.91 km2) |
| • Land | 13.70 sq mi (35.48 km2) |
| • Water | 0.55 sq mi (1.43 km2) |
| Elevation | 938 ft (286 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 7,146 |
| • Density | 521.61/sq mi (201.40/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
74818, 74868
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| Area code(s) | 405 |
| FIPS code | 40-66350 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411865 |
| Website | www.seminole-oklahoma.net |
Seminole (Meskwaki: Sheminônîheki) is a city in Seminole County, Oklahoma, United States. In 2020, about 7,146 people lived there. Seminole grew very quickly in the 1920s because of a big discovery of oil.
Contents
History of Seminole
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The city of Seminole was planned in 1906. It was created for people who lived in a nearby town called Tidmore. They moved because a new railroad line was built north of their old town.
When Oklahoma became a state in 1907, Seminole had 206 residents. The town officially became a city in December 1924.
The Oil Boom Era
In 1926, a very productive oil well was found in Seminole. This discovery changed the city a lot. Seminole quickly grew from a town of 854 people to a busy place with 25,000 to 30,000 residents.
After the oil boom ended, the population went down to about 11,000. It stayed around that number until 1970. In August 1970, Seminole started hosting its first All-Night Gospel Singing event. During its most popular years, about 25,000 people came to this yearly event.
Historic Buildings in Seminole
Several buildings in the Seminole area are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites. Some of these include:
- The Home Stake Oil and Gas Company Building
- Mekasukey Academy
- The Seminole Municipal Building
- The Sinclair Loading Rack
- Strother Memorial Chapel
- The W.E. Grisso Mansion
Recent Events
On May 4, 2022, a strong tornado hit the city. It caused a lot of damage to Seminole.
Geography and Climate
Seminole covers an area of about 14.5 square miles (37.6 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, but about 0.6 square miles (1.6 square kilometers) is water.
People and Population
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 476 | — | |
| 1920 | 854 | 79.4% | |
| 1930 | 11,459 | 1,241.8% | |
| 1940 | 11,547 | 0.8% | |
| 1950 | 11,863 | 2.7% | |
| 1960 | 11,464 | −3.4% | |
| 1970 | 7,878 | −31.3% | |
| 1980 | 8,590 | 9.0% | |
| 1990 | 7,071 | −17.7% | |
| 2000 | 6,899 | −2.4% | |
| 2010 | 7,488 | 8.5% | |
| 2020 | 7,146 | −4.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 6,899 people living in Seminole. These people lived in 2,760 households. About 30.7% of these households had children under 18 years old.
The population was spread out by age:
- 26.5% were under 18 years old.
- 10.5% were between 18 and 24 years old.
- 24.3% were between 25 and 44 years old.
- 19.7% were between 45 and 64 years old.
- 19.1% were 65 years old or older.
The average age in the city was 36 years.
Education in Seminole
Most students in Seminole attend schools in the Seminole Public Schools district. The main high school for this district is Seminole High School.
Some parts of Seminole are also served by other school districts. These include Varnum Public Schools, Butner Public Schools, and New Lima Public Schools.
Seminole is also home to Seminole State College. This college offers higher education to students.
Getting Around Seminole
Several major roads pass through Seminole, making it easy to travel. These include US Route 270, US Route 377, Oklahoma State Highway 3E, and Oklahoma State Highway 9.
The city also has its own airport, the Seminole Municipal Airport. It is located about 3 miles north of the city. The airport has two runways, with the longest one being 5,004 feet long.
For bigger flights, people can use Will Rogers World Airport. This airport is about 63 miles west-northwest of Seminole.
Fun Things to Do
Sportsman Lake
East of Seminole, you can find Sportsman Lake. This lake is surrounded by a 1,400-acre wildlife refuge. It's a great place for outdoor activities like:
- Boating and using boat ramps
- Camping (both simple and RV sites)
- Horseback riding trails and facilities
Wewoka Lake
Further east is Wewoka Lake. This lake was built in the 1920s to store water for the city of Wewoka. Today, it offers many fun activities, such as:
- Fishing and boating
- Camping (RV and simple sites)
- Swimming and water skiing
Notable People from Seminole
Many interesting people have connections to Seminole. Here are a few:
- David L. Boren: A former Governor of Oklahoma and a former President of the University of Oklahoma.
- Ronald Chase: An artist and educator who worked in painting, acting, photography, and filmmaking.
- Aaron Gwyn: A writer known for his novels and short stories.
- Enoch Kelly Haney: A former Chief of the Seminole Nation and an artist. He also served as an Oklahoma State Senator.
- Edmond Harjo: A Seminole Code Talker during World War II. He received the Congressional Gold Medal for his service.
- Arthur Jones: The person who started Nautilus, Inc., a company known for exercise equipment.
- Joe Liggins: A musician who was an early pioneer of rock and roll music.
- Jesse Pearson: An actor and screenwriter born in Seminole in 1930.
- Troy N. Smith: The founder of Sonic Drive-In, a popular fast-food chain.
- William C. Wantland: A Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Eau Claire.
See also
In Spanish: Seminole (Oklahoma) para niños
