Stillwater, Oklahoma facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stillwater, Oklahoma
City
Downtown Stillwater (2009)
Nickname(s):  Stilly
Motto(s):  Still Pioneering
Location within Payne County and Oklahoma
Country	United States
State	Oklahoma
County	Payne
Incorporated	1884
Government
• Type	Council-manager
Area
• Total	30.30 sq mi (78.49 km2)
• Land	29.79 sq mi (77.15 km2)
• Water	0.51 sq mi (1.33 km2)
Elevation	948 ft (289 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	48,394
• Density	1,624.50/sq mi (627.23/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP codes	74074–74078
Area code	405/572
FIPS code	40-70300
GNIS ID	2411982

Stillwater is a city in north-central Oklahoma, USA. It is the tenth-largest city in the state. Stillwater is also the main city of Payne County. You can find it where U.S. Route 177 and State Highway 51 meet.

In 2020, about 48,394 people lived in Stillwater. The city was part of the first Oklahoma Land Run on April 22, 1889. This was when new lands were opened for people to settle. Stillwater became a city on August 24, 1889. It is run by a council-manager system.

Stillwater has many different types of businesses. These include aerospace (things related to air and space), agribusiness (farming businesses), and biotechnology (science using living things). It also has companies in optoelectronics (light and electronics), printing, and software.

The city is home to Oklahoma State University, which is the biggest employer. You can also find Northern Oklahoma College – Stillwater, Meridian Technology Center, and the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education here. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum is in Stillwater too.

Stillwater's Past: A Look Back

The area where Stillwater is located became part of the United States in 1803. This happened with the Louisiana Purchase. In 1832, a writer named Washington Irving described the area. He wrote about beautiful prairies where buffalo grazed.

Stillwater welcome sign, 2010

There are a few stories about how Stillwater got its name.

• Some say Native American tribes called the creek "Still Water" because it was always calm.
• Another story says cattle drivers from Texas always found water "still there."
• A third story says David L. Payne looked at Stillwater Creek and said, "This town should be named Still Water."

The creek officially got its name in 1884. This was when William L. Couch set up his "boomer colony" there. On April 22, 1889, the first Land Run opened the Oklahoma Territory. Stillwater was part of this land. By the end of that day, a small town with 300 people had appeared. The post office opened on May 28, 1889, and the name Stillwater became official.

In 1890, Stillwater was chosen as the site for a new college. This college later became Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College. Its first brick building, Old Central, was built in 1894. By 1907, Stillwater had grown a lot. Downtown had over 50 buildings, including banks, churches, and stores.

The first newspaper, the Stillwater Gazette, started then. Telephone and gas services arrived in 1899. The Eastern Oklahoma Railroad came in 1900. By World War II, Stillwater's population was over 10,000. During the war, Oklahoma A&M became a training center. Nearly 40,000 service members came to Stillwater for training. This helped the city's economy after the war. New industries came to town, like Moore Plant in 1966 and Mercury Marine in 1973.

Stillwater's Location and Weather

Stillwater is about 60 miles (97 km) north of Oklahoma City. It is also about 63 miles (101 km) west of Tulsa. The city covers about 28.3 square miles (73.3 km²). Most of this is land, with a small amount of water.

Stillwater's Climate

Stillwater has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot, humid summers and mild winters. It is also in "Tornado Alley." This means tornadoes are common, especially in spring. Sirens warn people to go to shelters when needed.

Summers are sunny and hot. Temperatures often reach or go above 100°F (38°C). Winters are usually sunny, mild, and dry. The average high in January is about 49.8°F (9.9°C). Stillwater gets about 7.5 inches (19 cm) of snow each year. The hottest temperature ever recorded was 115°F (46°C) in August 1936. The coldest was -21°F (-29°C) in February 2011.

People of Stillwater

In 2010, Stillwater had 45,688 people living there. There were 17,941 households. The city's population density was about 1,547 people per square mile (597 per km²). Most residents were White (79.50%). Other groups included African American (4.71%), Native American (3.93%), and Asian (5.56%). About 4.26% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

In 2000, the average household had 2.13 people. The average family had 2.81 people. The median age in the city was 24 years old. This means half the people were younger than 24, and half were older.

Stillwater's Economy

Stillwater has a mix of businesses, from factories to high-tech companies. It exports things like printed materials, floor coverings, and software. Key industries include aerospace, agribusiness, biotechnology, and printing and publishing.

Oklahoma State University is a big part of Stillwater's economy. It has over 20,000 students and 5,500 staff. The university also focuses on research and technology.

Here are some of the top employers in Stillwater:

Stillwater has several places for shopping and fun. Downtown Stillwater has Main Street as its main area. The Strip on Washington Street has small shops, restaurants, and live music. It is near Oklahoma State University. Campus Corner on Knoblock Street also has unique shops and restaurants, including the first Hideaway Pizza.

Learning in Stillwater

Oklahoma State University Student Union

Oklahoma State University – Stillwater is a major university located in the city.

In 2003, Northern Oklahoma College opened a campus in Stillwater. Students who don't meet OSU's entry rules can join the NOC-OSU Gateway Program.

Stillwater is also home to the Meridian Technology Center. This center provides career and technical training. The state agency that oversees these schools, the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, is also here.

Stillwater Public Schools is the city's only public school district. Over 5,400 students attend schools in the district. These include several elementary schools, Stillwater Middle School, Stillwater Junior High, and Stillwater High School.

Libraries for Learning

Inside the Stillwater Public Library

Edmon Low Library

The Stillwater Public Library has served the city since 1922. In 1990, people voted to build a new library. It has over 100,000 books, audiobooks, music, movies, and magazines. The library also offers free computer classes and storytimes for children.

Edmon Low Library at Oklahoma State University has about 3 million books. It also has many government documents and journals. It is a very large library that helps students and the public.

Arts and Culture in Stillwater

Eskimo Joe's (2010)

Stillwater is famous for being the home of red dirt music. This music mixes folk, country, blues, and rock. Famous red dirt artists from Stillwater include Cross Canadian Ragweed and Bob Childers.

Many famous musicians started their careers playing in Stillwater. These include Garth Brooks, Other Lives, and The All-American Rejects. They played at local spots like Willie's Saloon and Eskimo Joe's. Eskimo Joe's is known for its collectible T-shirts.

Stillwater has many performing arts shows. These happen at the City of Stillwater Community Center and the Town and Gown Community Theater. OSU's Allied Arts also hosts performances on campus.

Many volunteer groups in Stillwater offer entertainment. These include the Stillwater Community Singers and the Stillwater Community Band.

Yearly Events and Fun

Stillwater hosts many yearly festivals and community events. Oklahoma State University also has many activities.

Since 1920, Oklahoma State University has held its "America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration." Over 70,000 alumni and friends come back for the "Walkaround" and parade.

Spring events include A Taste of Stillwater, a fundraiser. Other events are the Tumbleweed Calf Fry and the OSU Jazz Festival. Since 2012, Stillwater has hosted the Land Run 100. This is a 100-mile (161 km) bicycle race.

The annual Red Dirt Film Festival happens every March. It shows independent films and has workshops. The Stillwater Arts Festival is a two-day art show in April. It has live entertainment and art demonstrations.

The Oklahoma Special Olympics’ Annual Summer Games happen every May. It is the biggest amateur sports event in Oklahoma. Since 2011, Stillwater has hosted the Bob Childers' Gypsy Cafe. This is a red dirt music festival that helps Oklahoma musicians.

Summer events include the Krazy Daze Shopping Extravaganza and the Payne County Fair. On Independence Day, Stillwater has the Boomer Blast fireworks show at Boomer Lake Park.

Fall brings Collegefest and the Downtown Stillwater Car Show. The Downtown Stillwater Halloween Festival has a costume contest. The Eskimo Joe's Juke Joint Jog 5K race helps the Stillwater Area United Way.

Winter celebrations include the Downtown Parade of Lights and the Madrigal Dinner Concert at OSU.

Places to Visit

The Sheerar Museum of Stillwater History collects and shares the city's past. It has exhibits on Stillwater and Payne County. This includes the first land run in 1889.

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum is in Stillwater. It celebrates wrestling history and encourages young athletes.

The Washington Irving Trail and Museum is in a rural area. It celebrates the history of Payne County. It is named after writer Washington Irving. The museum also has items from David L. Payne, a famous Oklahoma "boomer."

Gardiner Art Gallery

In 2013, Oklahoma State University opened the OSU Museum of Art. It is in a renovated old post office. The university started collecting art in the 1930s. OSU also runs the Gardiner Art Gallery on campus. It shows art from students, faculty, and national artists.

The Botanic Garden at Oklahoma State University covers over 100 acres (0.4 km²). It has thousands of types of flowers, shrubs, and trees. It features special gardens like butterfly gardens. It also has a Japanese Tea Ceremony Garden.

The David L. Payne Memorial Monument is in Boomer Lake Park. It honors David L. Payne, for whom Payne County is named.

The International Friendship Garden is at the City of Stillwater Community Center. It was built in 1997 by gardeners from Kameoka, Japan. This celebrated ten years of Stillwater's sister city relationship with Kameoka.

Campus Fire Station

The Stillwater Public Library has a bronze statue of historian Angie Debo. It shows a young Debo with books. The statue's base has seals of Oklahoma's Native American tribes.

Payne County's Grandest Elm Tree is a famous tree in Stillwater. The Stillwater Farmers' Market is open from April to October.

The following Stillwater sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

• James E. Berry House
• Campus Fire Station
• Citizens Bank Building
• Cottonwood Community Center
• William Frick House
• Hoke Building
• Josephine Reifsnyder Lustron House
• Magruder Plots
• Murphy House
• Oklahoma A & M College Agronomy Barn and Seed House
• Old Central
• Payne County Courthouse
• Pleasant Valley School
• Selph Building
• Santa Fe Depot
• Walker Building

Stillwater in the News

Stillwater's main newspaper is the NewsPress. The weekly Stillwater Journal also serves the community. The Daily O'Collegian is a daily paper published by Oklahoma State University.

Stillwater has several radio stations. These include KSPI 780 AM, KSPI 94.3 FM, KVRO 101.1 FM, and KGFY 105.5 FM. KOSU 91.7 FM is an National Public Radio station owned by Oklahoma State University.

Stillwater Living Magazine and Stillwater Scene are local magazines. Stillwater TV is a government channel. It shows city meetings and other local programs.

Sports in Stillwater

Boone Pickens Stadium

Stillwater is home to the Oklahoma State Cowboys and Cowgirls. Oklahoma State University teams have won 53 NCAA National Championships. Most of these wins are in wrestling.

OSU has men's teams in baseball, basketball, football, and wrestling. Women's teams include basketball, soccer, and softball. Major sports places include Boone Pickens Stadium and Gallagher-Iba Arena.

The Oklahoma State Cowboys wrestling team is very successful. They have won 34 national championships. This is an NCAA record.

Stillwater High School is a 6A-2 school. Their teams, the Pioneers, compete in football, volleyball, basketball, and many other sports.

Parks and Outdoor Fun

Trail around Boomer Lake

The Stillwater Parks and Recreation Department manages over 5,000 acres (20 km²) of parkland. This includes ball fields, tennis courts, and disc golf courses. There are also four lakes, a swimming pool, and playgrounds.

Lake McMurtry, owned by the City of Stillwater, has hiking and bike trails. It also offers camping and fishing. Carl Blackwell Lake is owned by Oklahoma State University. It has camping, boat rentals, and covered picnic areas.

Stillwater has many paved and unpaved trails for biking and walking. The Kameoka Trail Corridor goes around Boomer Lake. Other trails are at Couch Park and Sanborn Lake.

Stillwater has four golf courses:

• Karsten Creek Golf Club
• Lakeside Memorial Golf Course
• Stillwater Country Club
• The Links At Stillwater

Getting Around Stillwater

Main Roads

Two main highways run through Stillwater. Oklahoma State Highway 51 (6th Avenue) goes east and west. US-177 (Perkins Road) goes north and south. A 7.2-mile (11.6 km) road connects US-177 to the Cimarron Turnpike.

Airport Travel

Stillwater Regional Airport

Stillwater Regional Airport (SWO) has been serving the city since 1917. American Airlines started flights in 2016. They offer daily flights to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Private jets also use this airport.

Bus Services

Public transportation is provided by OSU-Stillwater Community Transit. Ten bus routes run within Stillwater and on the OSU campus.

City Services

Stillwater Medical Center

Stillwater has its own electric utility, which started in 1907. The Stillwater Utilities Authority provides electricity, water, and waste services. Money from these services helps fund the city's police, fire, and parks departments. Stillwater gets its water from Kaw Lake, which is about 40 miles (64 km) away.

Famous People from Stillwater

• Art Acord, rodeo champion and movie star
• Ai, poet
• Xavier Adibi, former football player
• Garth Brooks, famous singer and songwriter
• Bob Childers, folk musician
• Ben Cline, American Congressman
• Angie Debo, historian
• Robert DoQui, actor
• Julian Ewell, U.S. Army general
• Wyatt Flores, country artist
• Edward C. Gallagher, wrestling coach
• Willis "Blue Scuti" Gibson, classic Tetris player
• Chester Gould, creator of Dick Tracy
• Labron Harris Jr., pro golfer
• Jackson Holliday, professional baseball player
• Josh Holliday, baseball coach
• Matt Holliday, professional baseball player
• Viktor Hovland, professional golfer
• James Marsden, actor
• Sharron Miller, TV and film director
• Tyson Ritter, musician and actor from The All-American Rejects
• Jackie Shipp, football player and coach
• Artie Smith, former football player
• Rex Tillerson, former U.S. Secretary of State
• The band The All-American Rejects

Sister Cities

• Kameoka, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
• Gadabay, Azerbaijan

Stillwater has been a sister city to Kameoka, Japan, since 1985. Kameoka wanted a sister city in Oklahoma that was near the capital, had farming, and a university. Stillwater was a perfect match. In 1985, leaders from both cities signed an agreement.

Since 1989, Stillwater Middle School and Taisei Junior High School in Kameoka have been sister schools. They have a student and teacher exchange program.

Images for kids

• 

  Old Central

See also

In Spanish: Stillwater (Oklahoma) para niños