Wakita, Oklahoma facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wakita, Oklahoma
Town
Wakita's water tower with a tornado siren mounted on it
Location of Wakita, Oklahoma
Country	United States
State	Oklahoma
County	Grant
Area
• Total	0.31 sq mi (0.81 km2)
• Land	0.31 sq mi (0.81 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	1,178 ft (359 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	311
• Density	1,000.00/sq mi (385.70/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	73771
Area code(s)	580
FIPS code	40-77950
GNIS feature ID	2413439

Wakita is a small town located in Grant County, Oklahoma, in the United States. It is about 8 miles (13 km) south of the Kansas border. In 2020, 311 people lived in Wakita. This was a small decrease from its population of 344 in 2010.

History of Wakita

How Wakita Got Its Name

The town of Wakita was founded in 1898. Before it was officially named, there was a disagreement about what to call it. The first postmaster and general store owner wanted to name it Whiteville.

However, a local U.S. Marshall named Herbert John Green suggested naming the town after a Cherokee chief. This chief was important in the area and was named Wakita (pronounced Wok-ih-taw). People liked this name because the chief's tribe was believed to have protected the area from tornadoes for 100 years.

Historians have different ideas about what the word "Wakita" means. Some say it's a Cherokee word for water collected in a small dip in the ground. Others believe it might be a Creek word meaning "to cry" or "to lament."

Early Days and Growth

Wakita started when the Cherokee Outlet was opened for new settlers on September 16, 1893. A post office opened soon after, on November 14, 1893.

The town grew bigger when the Hutchison and Southern Railroad built a train line through the area in 1897. By 1907, when Oklahoma became a state, Wakita had 388 residents. Its population grew a bit more to 405 people by 1910.

Wakita in the Movies

Wakita became famous when it was chosen as a filming location for the movie Twister in 1996. In the film, the town is mentioned by name, and its water tower is clearly shown.

Tornadoes Near Wakita

On May 10, 2010, many tornadoes touched down in Grant County, causing a lot of damage near Wakita. Luckily, the town itself was not destroyed.

Where is Wakita Located?

Wakita is about 12 miles (19 km) northwest of Medford, which is the main town in Grant County. It is located on State Highway 11A. The town covers a total area of about 0.3 square miles (0.8 square kilometers), and all of it is land.

People of Wakita

Population Changes Over Time

In 2010, there were 344 people living in Wakita. These people lived in 165 households, and 102 of these were families. Most of the people in Wakita were White (96.67%). A small number were Native American (2.38%) or from two or more races (0.71%).

Families and Age Groups

About 27.3% of households in Wakita had children under 18 living with them. Many households (53.3%) were married couples living together.

The population in Wakita is spread out across different age groups. About 20% of the people were under 18 years old. A larger group, 29.3%, were 65 years or older. The average age in Wakita was 46 years old.

Education in Wakita

Students in Wakita attend Medford Public Schools.

For many years, students in Wakita went to Wakita Public School, which taught students from kindergarten through 12th grade. However, this school closed after the 2010–2011 school year. It closed because there were not enough students (only 30) and not enough money to keep it open.

After the school closed, Wakita Schools joined with Medford Public Schools. Some students from Wakita also go to Pond Creek-Hunter High School.

Notable People from Wakita

• Virgil A. Richard: He was a retired brigadier general in the United States Army.
• Cindy Ross: She was the first female president of Cameron University.