Tonkawa, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tonkawa, Oklahoma
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Tonkawa in late 2013
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Location of Tonkawa, Oklahoma
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Kay |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.39 sq mi (11.37 km2) |
| • Land | 4.34 sq mi (11.24 km2) |
| • Water | 0.05 sq mi (0.13 km2) |
| Elevation | 994 ft (303 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,015 |
| • Density | 694.70/sq mi (268.23/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
74653
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| Area code(s) | 580 |
| FIPS code | 40-74150 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412083 |
Tonkawa is a city in Kay County, Oklahoma, United States. It is located along the Salt Fork Arkansas River. In 2020, about 3,015 people lived there.
Contents
The Story of Tonkawa
The city of Tonkawa gets its name from the Tonkawa tribe. It was started in March 1894 by Eli V. Blake and Wiley William Gregory. These two men came from Kansas. They claimed the land during the Land Run of 1893.
Before the land run, from 1879 to 1885, this area was called "Fort Oakland". It was home to the Nez Perce people. In 1885, the remaining members of the Tonkawa tribe returned. They had left Indian Territory after the 1862 Tonkawa Massacre. They settled in the Fort Oakland area.
The Blackwell and Southern Railway built a train line through Tonkawa. This helped the town grow a lot. In 1901, the Oklahoma Territory Legislature created the University Preparatory School here. This school is now Northern Oklahoma College.
By the time Oklahoma became a state, Tonkawa had 1,238 people. In the 1920s, oil was found nearby. This led to an oil boom, meaning the town grew very fast. By 1930, the population reached 3,311.
Tonkawa During World War II
During World War II, Tonkawa was home to Camp Tonkawa. This was a camp for prisoners of war. Camp Tonkawa was open from August 30, 1943, to September 1, 1945.
The camp was built between October and December 1942. It covered 160 acres (0.65 km²). It had over 180 wooden buildings. These buildings could hold 3,000 German prisoners of war. It also housed 500 U.S. Army guards and other workers.
The first prisoners arrived in August 1943. They were German soldiers from the Afrika Korps. While at the camp, the prisoners worked on local farms and ranches.
Where is Tonkawa?
Tonkawa is in the southwestern part of Kay County. It is located on the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River. The city is about 14 miles (23 km) west of Ponca City.
U.S. Route 60 goes through the northern side of Tonkawa. It leads east to Ponca City and west to Lamont. U.S. Route 77 also goes through Tonkawa. It becomes Main Street and leads south to Perry.
Interstate 35 is about 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Tonkawa's center. You can get on I-35 from Exits 211 and 214. I-35 goes south to Oklahoma City and north to Wichita, Kansas.
The United States Census Bureau says Tonkawa has a total area of 4.39 square miles (11.37 km²). Only a very small part, about 0.05 square miles (0.13 km²), is water.
Who Lives in Tonkawa?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 707 | — | |
| 1910 | 1,776 | 151.2% | |
| 1920 | 1,448 | −18.5% | |
| 1930 | 3,311 | 128.7% | |
| 1940 | 3,197 | −3.4% | |
| 1950 | 3,643 | 14.0% | |
| 1960 | 3,415 | −6.3% | |
| 1970 | 3,337 | −2.3% | |
| 1980 | 3,524 | 5.6% | |
| 1990 | 3,127 | −11.3% | |
| 2000 | 3,162 | 1.1% | |
| 2010 | 3,216 | 1.7% | |
| 2020 | 3,015 | −6.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
As of the census in 2000, there were 3,299 people living in Tonkawa. These people lived in 1,197 households. About 801 of these were families.
The population density was about 591 people per square mile (228 per km²). Most people in the city were White (86.39%). There were also Native American (5.55%) and Hispanic or Latino (6.64%) people.
About 32% of households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had 2.47 people. The average family had 3.06 people.
The population was spread out by age. About 24.9% were under 18 years old. About 17.3% were between 18 and 24. And 15.3% were 65 years or older. The average age was 33 years.
Learning in Tonkawa
Tonkawa has its own public school district. This includes Tonkawa Elementary, Tonkawa Middle School, and Tonkawa High School.
Tonkawa is also home to Northern Oklahoma College. This college offers two-year associate degrees.
Fun Places to Visit
Cool Museums
- North Oklahoma Botanical Garden and Arboretum
- A. D. Buck Museum of Science and History
- Tonkawa Historical Museum (also called McCarter Museum)
- Tonkawa Tribal Museum
- Eleanor Hays Art Gallery (at Northern Oklahoma College)
- Pickens Learning Commons
Historic Places
Several places in Tonkawa are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Kay County, Oklahoma. This means they are important historical sites.
- First Presbyterian Church of Tonkawa
- Mahoney House and Garage
- Nez Perce Reservation
- Tonkawa Armory
Famous People from Tonkawa
- Clara Archilta, a talented watercolor painter and beadworker.
- Henry Bellmon, who was the first Republican governor of Oklahoma. He also served as a U.S. senator.
- Bo Bowling, a player for the Montreal Alouettes football team.
See also
In Spanish: Tonkawa (Oklahoma) para niños
