Stringtown, Oklahoma facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stringtown, Oklahoma
Town
A view of the town in 1978 looking towards the old post office
Location of Stringtown, Oklahoma
Country	United States
State	Oklahoma
County	Atoka
Area
• Total	5.44 sq mi (14.09 km2)
• Land	5.39 sq mi (13.95 km2)
• Water	0.05 sq mi (0.14 km2)
Elevation	653 ft (199 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	419
• Density	77.79/sq mi (30.03/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	74569
Area code(s)	580
FIPS code	40-70850
GNIS feature ID	2413343

Stringtown is a small town located in Atoka County, Oklahoma, United States. In 2020, the town had a population of 419 people. This was a small increase from its population of 410 in 2010. Stringtown is the second-largest town in Atoka County.

The town is also known for the Mack H. Alford Correctional Center. This is a medium-security prison run by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, located just outside Stringtown.

Exploring Stringtown's Location and Size

Stringtown is found in the state of Oklahoma. It covers a total area of about 5.44 square miles (14.09 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

The town is located where two important roads meet. These are U.S. Highway 69 and State Highway 43. This makes it easy to get to and from Stringtown.

A Look Back at Stringtown's History

The name "Stringtown" has a couple of interesting stories behind it. One idea is that it was first called "Springtown" because of a local sulphur spring. But a spelling mistake might have changed it to Stringtown. Another idea is that businesses were "strung out" along the railroad tracks, giving the town its name.

Stringtown has grown recently, both in its economy and population. Companies have noticed opportunities in game hunting. New businesses, like a café, have also brought new life to the town. Every September, the town celebrates its past with the Good Ole Days Festival. This event includes a parade, a cookout, and a concert.

Early Days and the Post Office

A post office was set up in Stringtown, which was then called Indian Territory, on August 17, 1874. For a short time in 1877, the post office was officially named Sulphur Springs. Stringtown was located in Atoka County, Choctaw Nation. This was a government area that included parts of what are now Atoka, Coal, Hughes, and Pittsburg counties.

Stringtown and Famous Events

The abandoned dance hall in Stringtown, where a historical event involving the Barrow Gang took place in 1932.

On August 5, 1932, something notable happened in Stringtown. While Bonnie Parker was visiting her mother, Clyde Barrow and two friends were at a dance in Stringtown. An incident occurred involving law enforcement. This event was connected to the group later known as the Barrow Gang.

During the 1940s, in World War II, an Austrian inventor named Fritz Johann Hansgirg was held at a U.S. internment camp in Stringtown. He was known for inventing processes for magnesium and heavy water.

Natural Events and Changes

In the late 1960s, a tornado touched down in Stringtown. It hit the recently built Community Center, which is now the Senior Citizens Center. The tornado was only on the ground for a few seconds. However, it almost destroyed the building. It was unusual for a tornado to hit the town itself, because Stringtown is located between two chains of steep hills.

Local Economy and Important Places

The nearby Mack Alford State Penitentiary is a major employer in the county. This facility was once an internment camp for Japanese Americans and later for German prisoners of war during World War II.

Despite its small size, Stringtown is the second-largest town in Atoka County. It is smaller than Atoka (with a population of 3,107) but larger than Tushka (with a population of 312).

The Garside house is one of the most important historical sites in Stringtown. It is located near the Bonnie and Clyde monument. The land for the Garside house was given to Joseph and Sarah Garside and their two children in 1902. A tornado destroyed part of the house while it was being built. The Garsides had to start over, but they finished their two-story house in 1915. Later, the house became a museum after being remodeled.

The Southwest Stone Company, also called the Rock Crusher, is another big employer in the county. It moved to Stringtown in the early 1900s. Before this, Stringtown did not have electricity.

The railroad that goes through Stringtown was built in 1872. It is now known as the Union Pacific Railroad. This railroad connects south Texas to parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, and northern Missouri.

Stringtown used to have a sawmill and a cotton gin that produced a lot in the late 1800s. On July 15, 1954, a fire burned down half the town. This included the sawmill, cotton gin, a café, a jailhouse, a barbershop, a bank, and a hotel. Only Robert’s Store and a few homes were left. The town was never fully rebuilt after this fire. Today, Stringtown has a school, a church, a fire department, City Hall, Dianna’s Store, and a senior citizens center.

Understanding Stringtown's Population

In 2000, Stringtown had 396 people living in 166 households. About 26.5% of these households had children under 18. The population was spread out across different age groups. About 24% of the people were under 18, and 17.7% were 65 or older. The average age in the town was 42 years.

Learning in Stringtown

Children in Stringtown attend schools within the Stringtown Public Schools district.

Famous People from Stringtown

Many notable people have connections to Stringtown:

• Jerry Cantrell, a guitar player for the band Alice in Chains
• B.A. Garside, who was an executive director for United China Relief
• Reba McEntire, a famous country singer
• Tyrus McGee (born 1991), a basketball player in the Israel Basketball Premier League
• Crystal Robinson, a former professional basketball player in the WNBA
• U.L. Washington, a former professional baseball player

See also

In Spanish: Stringtown (Oklahoma) para niños