Skiatook, Oklahoma facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Skiatook, Oklahoma
City
Nickname(s):  Gateway to the Osage
Motto(s):  "Live Work Play Skiatook"
Location of within Tulsa County, and the state of Oklahoma
Country	United States
State	Oklahoma
Counties	Osage, Tulsa
Area
• Total	13.86 sq mi (35.89 km2)
• Land	13.71 sq mi (35.52 km2)
• Water	0.14 sq mi (0.37 km2)
Elevation	814 ft (248 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	8,450
• Density	616.11/sq mi (237.88/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	74070
Area code(s)	539/918
FIPS code	40-67850
GNIS feature ID	2413294
Website	www.cityofskiatook.com

Skiatook (Skī·ǎ·tōōk or Skī·ǎ·tǒǒk versus Skī·tōōk or Skī·tǒǒk) is a city in Osage and Tulsa counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma located in the northeastern part of the state, approximately 20 miles north and west of Tulsa. Due to its location on the border between Osage County and Tulsa County, Skiatook has been referred to as "the Gateway to the Osage." The town includes the state highway junction of Oklahoma State Highway 11 and Oklahoma State Highway 20. The population was 8,450 at the 2020 census, an increase of 14.24 percent over the figure of 7,397 recorded in 2010.

History

19th century

Battle of Chustenahlah

The Battle of Chustenahlah was fought just west of Skiatook, on December 26, 1861, during the American Civil War. The battle began when Confederate Col. James McIntosh ordered an attack on the Union aligned Creek Chief Opothleyahola's forces. Opothleyahola was travelling with about 1,700 Creek and Seminole refugees following his defeat at the Battle of Chusto-Talasah. After being defeated by the Confederate forces, many refugees were forced to abandoned their supplies as they fled to Kansas. A historical marker commemorates the battle.

Founding and origin of name

Skiatook's main street prior to statehood

William C. Rogers, last hereditary Chief of the Cherokees, founded Skiatook in 1872, when he established a trading post in the Cherokee Nation on the south bank of Bird Creek. When a post office was established in Rogers' store in 1872, the place was named Ski-a-took. The word is Cherokee in origin, and means "Big-Indian-Me" or refers to something of large size. An Osage trader, Skiatooka is also cited as influencing the town's name. In 1892, the name was changed from Ski-a-took to Skiatook.

20th century

Skiatook's general store prior to statehood

On December 18, 1904, a bank was established on the present day location of Skiatook. William C. Rogers relocated his general store and post office to the town and began building near the bank. In March 1905 the Midland Valley Railroad was built through the town and the settlement expanded to include parts of Osage County and the Osage Nation. The route no longer exists, but has been converted from rail into the 14.5 mile Osage Prairie Trail linking Skiatook with Tulsa to the south. Skiatook's first newspaper, the Skiatook Sentinel, began publication in April 1905 and the town was incorporated shortly after on May 28, 1905. Skiatook's first school was also founded in 1905.

After Oklahoma Statehood in 1907, construction began on permanent roads and bridges. The first church building constructed in Skiatook was the First Christian Church in 1907. Cement sidewalks were constructed between 1909 and 1910, and in 1912 Skiatook received water, sewer and electric light improvements. By 1920, the towns population had increased to around 2000. A road to Tulsa was paved in the early 1920s, and with good roads leading out in all directions, Skiatook became known as the "Gateway to all points North, South, East and West". In the 1930s, Skiatook began purchasing water from Lake Spavinaw. The completion of Skiatook Lake in 1984 gave Skiatook its own water source.

21st century

In the 2000s, Skiatook commissioned a "Main Street program" in order to revitalize its downtown area.

Geography

Skiatook is located in the northeastern part of the state, approximately 20 miles north and west of Tulsa. Due to its location on the border between Osage County and Tulsa County, Skiatook has been referred to as "the Gateway to the Osage." The town includes the state highway junction of Oklahoma State Highway 11 and Oklahoma State Highway 20.

Skiatook Lake

Skiatook Dam and Lake was authorized for construction by the Flood Control Act approved October 23, 1962 (87th Congress). It is one of five projects in the Bird Creek Basin plan recommended to meet the comprehensive water resources needs of the area. The Damsite is located on Hominy Creek about 5 miles (8 km) west of Skiatook in Osage County, Oklahoma. The project serves the purposes of flood control, water quality, water supply, recreation, and fish and wildlife management. The total cost of the project was approximately $120 million. It was completed in 1984. Elevated 714.0 feet (217.6 m) above sea level, the lake has a surface area of about 10,500 acres (42 km²) and 160 miles (260 km) of shoreline.

Demographics

In the 2010 census, there were 7,397 people, 2,796 households, and 1,989 families residing in the town. The population density was 456.2 inhabitants per square mile (176.1/km²). There were 2,125 housing units at an average density of 145.3 units per square mile (56.1 units/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 73.3% White, 0.6% African American, 17.7% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 8.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9% of the population.

There were 2,796 households, out of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 31.0% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,617, and the median income for a family was $52,072. Males had a median income of $30,873 versus $21,419 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,943. About 9.4% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.7% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

The Skiatook Museum was organized in April 1976. In the early 21st century, the Skiatook Museum moved into the former home of doctor W. G. Phillips. The home, built in 1912, contained his office.

Media

Skiatook in film

• Parts of the 1983 film adaptation of S.E. Hinton's novel The Outsiders were filmed in locations around Skiatook, but it was called Windrixville.
• Parts of the 2020 film Minari were filmed in and around Skiatook.

See also

In Spanish: Skiatook (Oklahoma) para niños