Shidler, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shidler, Oklahoma
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Downtown Shidler, 2003
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Location of Shidler, Oklahoma
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Osage |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.75 sq mi (1.93 km2) |
| • Land | 0.75 sq mi (1.93 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,161 ft (354 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 328 |
| • Density | 439.68/sq mi (169.71/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
74652
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| Area code(s) | 539/918 |
| FIPS code | 40-67200 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411890 |
Shidler is a small city in Osage County, Oklahoma, United States. It's located in the northeastern part of the state. In 2020, about 328 people lived there. This was a bit less than the 441 people who lived there in 2010. Shidler is known for its history tied to the oil industry and its strong community spirit.
Contents
History of Shidler
Shidler was started in December 1921. It was named after Eugene S. Shidler, a banker and rancher from a nearby town called Pawhuska.
Oil Boom Days
When oil was found nearby, Shidler grew very quickly. Its population reached about 5,000 people. A railway, the Osage Railway, also arrived in February 1922, helping the town grow even more. In those early days, Shidler had many businesses that supplied oil wells and factories that made gasoline. It was a very busy and exciting place!
A Changing Town
By the late 1920s, the oil boom started to slow down. This meant that fewer people were needed for oil work, and Shidler's population began to shrink. By 1930, only 1,177 people lived there. Today, Shidler is a peaceful community focused on farming and ranching. However, some oil production still happens in the area.
Community Spirit During World War II
During World War II, there was a time when Japanese American families were asked to move from their homes. This was called internment. The Yamamoto family, who lived in Shidler, was one of these families. But the people of Shidler worked hard to help them stay. They asked U.S. Senator Elmer Thomas for help. Because of their efforts, the Yamamoto family was allowed to stay in Shidler. This shows the strong community spirit of the town.
Geography of Shidler
Shidler is located about 29 miles (47 km) northwest of Pawhuska. Pawhuska is the main town and county seat of Osage County.
The city of Shidler covers a total area of about 0.75 square miles (1.93 square kilometers). All of this area is land, meaning there are no large lakes or rivers within the city limits.
Population Information
The population of Shidler has changed over the years. Here's a quick look at how many people have lived there during different census counts:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 1,177 | — | |
| 1940 | 718 | −39.0% | |
| 1950 | 840 | 17.0% | |
| 1960 | 870 | 3.6% | |
| 1970 | 717 | −17.6% | |
| 1980 | 708 | −1.3% | |
| 1990 | 487 | −31.2% | |
| 2000 | 520 | 6.8% | |
| 2010 | 441 | −15.2% | |
| 2020 | 328 | −25.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 520 people living in Shidler. About 25.5% of the homes had children under 18 living there. The average age of people in Shidler was 41 years old.
Education in Shidler
Shidler is home to the Shidler Public Schools, whose sports teams are called the Fighting Tigers. The school teaches about 250 students from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. Students from nearby towns like Grainola, Foraker, Webb City, Kaw City, and part of Burbank also come to school in Shidler.
