Tecumseh, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tecumseh, Oklahoma
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Tecumseh City Hall
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Location of Tecumseh, Oklahoma
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Pottawatomie |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| Area | |
| • Total | 15.25 sq mi (39.50 km2) |
| • Land | 15.02 sq mi (38.90 km2) |
| • Water | 0.23 sq mi (0.60 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,037 ft (316 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 6,302 |
| • Density | 419.60/sq mi (162.01/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
74873
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| Area code(s) | 405/572 |
| FIPS code | 40-72650 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412040 |
Tecumseh (Meskwaki: Takamithîheki) is a city in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma. In 2020, about 6,302 people lived there. The city was named after a famous Shawnee chief, Tecumseh. When Oklahoma became a state, Tecumseh was chosen as the county seat. However, in 1930, people voted to move the county seat to Shawnee.
Contents
History of Tecumseh
Tecumseh started as a settlement on September 23, 1891. This happened during a "land run" where people could claim land in areas that used to be reservations for Native American tribes. These tribes included the Sac and Fox, Kiowa, Kickapoo, Shawnee, and Pottawatomi peoples.
A U.S. Army major named the town Tecumseh. On July 17, 1891, the government chose Tecumseh to be the main town for County "B" in the new Oklahoma Territory. A post office opened in the town on September 18, 1891.
Railroads and Growth
Trains first came to Tecumseh in 1896. The Tecumseh Railway built a line from Shawnee. This line later became part of the Rock Island railroad system. In 1902, the tracks were extended to Asher.
In 1903, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway also started serving the area. This helped farmers in Tecumseh, who mostly grew cotton. From 1906 to 1927, a special streetcar line connected Tecumseh to Shawnee.
Challenges and Changes
In the 1920s, cotton farming became difficult. Prices for cotton dropped, and tiny bugs called boll weevils damaged the crops. Because of these problems, the population of Tecumseh went down after 1930. Many people moved away to find work.
In 2002, the Supreme Court of the United States made an important decision about Tecumseh schools. They decided that it was okay for schools to ask students to take drug tests if they wanted to join after-school activities. This ruling was part of a case called Board of Education v. Earls.
2010 Tornado Event
On May 10, 2010, an EF3 tornado hit Tecumseh. The tornado caused a lot of damage, especially on the southeast side of the city. Several homes were badly damaged or destroyed. Three churches also suffered damage. This was the first tornado to hit the main part of Tecumseh since records began in 1950.
Geography of Tecumseh
Tecumseh covers about 15.3 square miles (39.5 square kilometers). Most of this area is land. About 0.2 square miles (0.6 square kilometers) is covered by water, like rivers or lakes.
People of Tecumseh
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 1,193 | — | |
| 1910 | 1,626 | 36.3% | |
| 1920 | 1,429 | −12.1% | |
| 1930 | 2,419 | 69.3% | |
| 1940 | 2,042 | −15.6% | |
| 1950 | 2,275 | 11.4% | |
| 1960 | 2,630 | 15.6% | |
| 1970 | 4,451 | 69.2% | |
| 1980 | 5,123 | 15.1% | |
| 1990 | 5,750 | 12.2% | |
| 2000 | 6,098 | 6.1% | |
| 2010 | 6,457 | 5.9% | |
| 2020 | 6,302 | −2.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 6,098 people living in Tecumseh. There were 2,344 households, which are groups of people living together. About 1,654 of these were families.
Most people in Tecumseh were White (78.98%). There were also Native Americans (12.87%), African Americans (2.05%), and people of other backgrounds. About 1.77% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in Tecumseh was 35 years old. About 28.4% of the people were under 18. About 16.7% were 65 or older.
The typical income for a household in the city was $27,202 per year. For families, it was $32,235. About 16.6% of all people in Tecumseh lived below the poverty line. This means they had very low incomes.
Education in Tecumseh
Most students in Tecumseh go to schools in the Tecumseh Public Schools district. Some parts of the city are also served by Shawnee Public Schools, Bethel Public Schools, and South Rock Creek Public School (for elementary students).
Notable People from Tecumseh
- Terry Allen, a singer in big bands.
- Mary Fallin, who was the 27th governor of Oklahoma and also the 14th lieutenant governor.
- Mike McClure, a musician and one of the people who started the band The Great Divide.
- Ruben Rivers, an officer in the United States Army who received the Medal of Honor for his bravery.
See also
In Spanish: Tecumseh (Oklahoma) para niños
