Shawnee, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shawnee, Oklahoma
Shânîheki
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Shawnee City Hall (2016)
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Pottawatomie |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 40.91 sq mi (105.95 km2) |
| • Land | 38.61 sq mi (99.99 km2) |
| • Water | 2.30 sq mi (5.96 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,053 ft (321 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 31,377 |
| • Density | 812.75/sq mi (313.81/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
74801, 74802, 74804
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| Area code(s) | 405/572 |
| FIPS code | 40-66800 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411879 |
| Website | ShawneeOK.org |
Shawnee (Meskwaki: Shânîheki) is a city in Oklahoma, United States. It is the main city of Pottawatomie County. In 2020, about 31,377 people lived there.
Shawnee is part of the larger Oklahoma City region. It is about 45 minutes east of downtown Oklahoma City by car.
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Shawnee's Early Days
The land around Shawnee was settled after the American Civil War. Many Native American tribes were moved here by the government. These included the Sac and Fox, Kickapoo, Shawnee, and Pottawatomi tribes. Their descendants still live in the area today.
In the 1870s, cowboys herded cattle from Texas through this area. Railroads were also built, and tribes had to give up land for these tracks.
In 1871, a Quaker mission started here. A school opened in 1872, and soon a post office and trading post were built. This area became known as Shawnee Town.
Land Runs and Growth
Starting in 1889, the U.S. government opened tribal lands for white settlers. This was part of a plan to encourage Native Americans to live more like other Americans. Tribal lands were divided into smaller plots for individual families. Any extra land was called "surplus" and was given away in "land runs." These were races where people claimed land.
In 1891, a land run opened up land for settlement east of the first run. Four settlers claimed land for a new city. After a long talk, they decided to name the town Shawnee, after the tribe that lived there.
In 1895, the Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad agreed to build tracks through the area. Shawnee was officially founded on July 4, 1895.
Shawnee quickly became a busy farming center. It was known for cotton, potatoes, and peaches. By 1902, there were many cotton gins and presses. The town grew from 250 people in 1892 to 2,500 in 1896. More railroads came to town in 1903-1904.
Education and County Seat
Oklahoma Baptist University opened in Shawnee in 1910. Its first building was a gift from the city's people. St. Gregory's College (now St. Gregory's University) moved to Shawnee in 1915.
In 1930, people voted to move the main government office for Pottawatomie County from Tecumseh to Shawnee. A new courthouse was built in 1935 with help from the New Deal program.
Shawnee's Downtown Area
Downtown Shawnee grew around its main street, especially because of the railroads. It was a busy place for shops, factories, and fun activities.
Shawnee tried to become the main city in central Oklahoma, like Oklahoma City. But it lost out on a major railway, a meatpacking plant, and even the state capital. This meant Shawnee stayed a smaller city, with its services and shops centered on Main Street.
Railroad History
The railroad industry was very important to Shawnee's early economy. The Santa Fe Train Depot, built in 1902, is a unique building that reminds us of the city's railroad past. It looks a bit like a castle!
The Rock Island Railroad had its main repair shops in Shawnee starting in 1896. This made them a big employer. In 1937, the shops moved away, but some of their old buildings are still used by the city.
Farming and Factories
Shawnee was a major hub for farmers to sell their crops. Cotton was a huge crop, and Main Street was often full of cotton bales. There was a large cottonseed oil mill, which later became a peanut factory. The Shawnee Flouring Mill still stands tall downtown.
During World War II, Shawnee's economy got a boost. Many residents worked at Tinker Air Force Base nearby. After the war, several factories opened, making aviation products and electrical parts.
Round House Overalls, a company that started in 1909, is still in Shawnee. It's the oldest working factory in Oklahoma, making denim products shipped worldwide.
Famous Food Chain
Sonic, the well-known fast-food chain, started in Shawnee! In 1959, Troy N. Smith, Sr. opened a hamburger drive-in called "Sonic" with a "call-in" system instead of carhops. It grew into a national chain with thousands of locations.
Exploring Shawnee's Parks and Culture
Shawnee has many places for fun and learning.
Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center
The Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center is a large event space. It has indoor and outdoor arenas and an RV park. Since 1993, it has hosted the International Finals Youth Rodeo (IFYR). This is known as the "richest youth rodeo in the world," with big prizes for young riders.
Native American Heritage
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation, one of the largest Native American tribes in the U.S., has its headquarters near Shawnee. Their Firelake Casino is a big employer in the area.
Shawnee Regional Airport
Shawnee has an airport with a long history. It has been used for private flying, pilot training, and air service since the 1920s. Famous pilot Amelia Earhart even visited in 1931! During World War II, it was a Navy training base. Today, it has a modern terminal building that opened in 2011.
Sister City Connection
At the airport, there's a special Japanese International Peace Garden. It has a "Bridge of Understanding" and stone decorations. This garden celebrates the "Sister City" relationship between Shawnee and Nikaho, Japan. This connection started in 1987 when a Japanese company, TDK, opened a factory in Shawnee. Each year, people from both towns visit each other to learn about their cultures.
Museums and Theatre
- The Pottawatomie County Historical Society has a museum in the old Santa Fe Depot. It shows railroad history and other items from the area.
- The Citizen Potawatomi Nation has a Cultural Heritage Center. It teaches about Potawatomi culture through exhibits.
- The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, located at Oklahoma Baptist University, is one of Oklahoma's oldest museums. It has collections from ancient Egypt, the Middle Ages, and Native American art.
- Shawnee also has local theater groups that put on shows.
Parks and Recreation
Shawnee has many parks for outdoor fun:
- Shawnee Twin Lakes are west of the city and offer outdoor activities.
- Larch–Miller Park honors Aloysius Larch-Miller, who fought for women's right to vote.
- Woodland Veteran's Memorial Park has a memorial for veterans, a splash pad, tennis courts, and a playground.
- Briscoe Boy Scout Park has a splash pad, basketball courts, tennis courts, and a walking track.
- Red Bud Park was built after a flood in 1928. It has a unique drainage ditch, trees, and playground equipment.
Shawnee also has three wellness centers: the Troy & Dollie Smith Family YMCA, the Recreation and Wellness Center at Oklahoma Baptist University, and the Firelake Fitness Center.
Sports in Shawnee
Shawnee has a rich sports history. Baseball teams have been around since 1902. In the past, Shawnee had minor league baseball teams, and some players went on to play in Major League Baseball. Even famous teams like the New York Giants and Cleveland Indians played spring training games here!
Many professional athletes have connections to Shawnee, either by being born there or playing on local teams.
Shawnee High School has a strong sports program. Their football team has won state titles three times. Other teams have also won state championships in baseball, basketball, and track. The high school has great sports facilities.
For younger kids, there are youth sports through the YMCA and the Shawnee Sports Association. There are also golf courses, tennis courts, bowling alleys, and baseball and softball complexes.
Geography
Shawnee is located at 35°20′33″N 96°56′2″W / 35.34250°N 96.93389°W. The city covers about 40.91 square miles (105.95 km2). Most of this is land, with a small amount of water.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 3,462 | — | |
| 1910 | 12,474 | 260.3% | |
| 1920 | 15,348 | 23.0% | |
| 1930 | 23,283 | 51.7% | |
| 1940 | 22,053 | −5.3% | |
| 1950 | 22,948 | 4.1% | |
| 1960 | 24,326 | 6.0% | |
| 1970 | 25,075 | 3.1% | |
| 1980 | 26,506 | 5.7% | |
| 1990 | 26,017 | −1.8% | |
| 2000 | 28,692 | 10.3% | |
| 2010 | 29,857 | 4.1% | |
| 2020 | 31,377 | 5.1% | |
| Sources: | |||
In 2000, there were 28,692 people living in Shawnee. About 77% were White, 4% African American, and nearly 13% Native American. About 2.7% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average income for a family in Shawnee was about $35,690 in 2000. About 17.8% of the people lived below the poverty line.
Education in Shawnee
Universities
- Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) was founded in 1910. It was chosen because it was a neutral place for two Baptist groups that had recently joined together.
- The former St. Gregory's University was also in Shawnee. It closed in 2017. Its campus was later given to OBU and is now called the OBU Green Campus.
Shawnee Public Schools
Shawnee Public Schools serves students from preschool to twelfth grade.
- Shawnee High School
- Shawnee Middle School
- Jim Thorpe Academy
- Horace Mann Elementary
- Sequoyah Elementary
- Jefferson Elementary
- Will Rogers Elementary
- Shawnee Early Childhood Center
In 2016, people in Shawnee voted to build a new elementary school.
Other School Districts
Shawnee also has four smaller school districts that serve students up to 8th grade:
- North Rock Creek
- South Rock Creek
- Pleasant Grove
- Grove
Private Schools
- Liberty Academy is a Christian private school for Pre-Kindergarten to 12th grades. It aims to provide a Bible-based education.
Vocational Training
- Gordon Cooper Technology Center offers special training for jobs.
Notable People from Shawnee
Many interesting people have connections to Shawnee:
- Brad Pitt, actor and producer, was born in Shawnee.
- Leroy Gordon Cooper, one of the first American astronauts.
- Troy N. Smith, Sr., who created the Sonic Drive-in chain.
- Jim Thorpe, a famous Olympian and professional athlete, considered Shawnee his hometown.
- Brad Henry, former Governor of Oklahoma.
- Robert Reed, actor who played Mike Brady on "The Brady Bunch".
- Creed Humphrey, center for the Kansas City Chiefs and Super Bowl LVII champion.
- Jonathan Gray, pro baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers.
See also
In Spanish: Shawnee (Oklahoma) para niños
