Wetumka, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wetumka
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Location of Wetumka, Oklahoma
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 Wetumka, Oklahoma
Location in Oklahoma
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Hughes |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.91 sq mi (4.94 km2) |
| • Land | 1.88 sq mi (4.88 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.06 km2) |
| Elevation | 764 ft (233 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,135 |
| • Density | 602.44/sq mi (232.55/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
74883
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| Area codes | 405 and 572 |
| FIPS code | 40-80500 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412245 |
Wetumka is a city located in Oklahoma, a state in the United States. It's in the northern part of Hughes County. In 2020, about 1,135 people lived there.
The Muscogee Creek people first settled this area in the 1830s. They named the town Wetumka after their original home, Wetumpka in Alabama. The word Wetumka comes from the Muskogee language and means "rumbling waters."
Today, Wetumka is important for two Native American tribes. It is the main office for both the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town and the Kialegee Tribal Town. Every year, on the last Saturday in September, the town celebrates "Sucker Day."
Contents
History of Wetumka
Early Growth and the Railway
In the early 1900s, the St. Louis, Oklahoma and Southern Railway built a train line through Wetumka. This helped the town grow a lot. Wetumka became a key place for shipping farm products. Farmers sent cotton, corn, pecans, and livestock from here.
By 1909, Wetumka had several businesses. There were three banks, two cotton gins, and shops for blacksmiths. The town also had places to keep horses and a tin shop. Local newspapers like the Wetumka News-Herald kept people informed.
In 1912, a new two-story building was built. It served as the city hall and a meeting place for the Masonic Lodge. The town continued to add more businesses. By 1918, there were four cotton gins and a mill.
Population Boom and Oil Discovery
Wetumka's population grew quickly. In 1910, only 231 people lived there. By 1920, the number jumped to 1,422. This growth continued until 1950.
In 1919, oil was discovered nearby, creating the Wetumka oil field. Many oil workers came to town, which made the population grow even more. The railroad even built a large freight warehouse in 1925. A three-story hotel also opened that year.
With the economy booming, the city improved its streets. They also added more rooms to the school building. On May 21, 1923, Wetumka was officially named a "first-class" city. This meant it had more self-governing powers.
Economy and Changes Over Time
By 1930, oil and farming were the main jobs in Wetumka. There were five cotton gins and twelve oil companies. The city also had nine churches, a park, and a lake. A junior college was also added.
A company called Railey Manufacturing made wood flooring and doors. The city provided water and electricity. Other companies supplied gas and phone service. However, cotton farming started to decline in the 1930s.
During World War II, a camp for German prisoners of war was located here. It closed in 1945 after the war ended. A new city hall complex opened in 1973. This replaced the old one, which had been destroyed by fire. By the 1970s, all the cotton gins had closed down.
Geography
Wetumka is located about 15 miles (24 km) northeast of Holdenville. Holdenville is the county seat, which means it's the main town for the county.
The city covers a total area of about 1.9 square miles (4.9 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 231 | — | |
| 1920 | 1,422 | 515.6% | |
| 1930 | 2,153 | 51.4% | |
| 1940 | 2,340 | 8.7% | |
| 1950 | 2,025 | −13.5% | |
| 1960 | 1,798 | −11.2% | |
| 1970 | 1,687 | −6.2% | |
| 1980 | 1,725 | 2.3% | |
| 1990 | 1,427 | −17.3% | |
| 2000 | 1,451 | 1.7% | |
| 2010 | 1,282 | −11.6% | |
| 2020 | 1,135 | −11.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 1,451 people living in Wetumka. There were 591 households, and 346 of these were families. The average household had about 2.31 people.
The population included people of different ages. About 26.9% were under 18 years old. About 18.8% were 65 years or older. The average age in the city was 39 years old.
Education
Wetumka is part of the Wetumka Public Schools district.
The first school in Wetumka was the Levering Manual Labor Mission School. It opened on September 1, 1881. This school was run by a church group and helped educate Muscogee Creek children. By 1902, Wetumka had its own public school system.
The Wes Watkins Technology Center is also in Wetumka. It opened in 1992. This center offers special training for different jobs and skills.
Activities
Wetumka has a fun annual event called Sucker Day. It started because a man named F. Bam Morrison tricked the town in 1950. Now, the town laughs about it every year.
Sucker Day includes arts and crafts, music, and a parade. You can see antique cars, tractors, and horses in the parade. There's also a "poker run" for people on motorcycles and other vehicles.
There are also two lakes near Wetumka. Wetumka Lake, also known as Lake Wetumka, is to the north. It has boat ramps, a fishing dock, and picnic areas. You can also find a playground and places for camping there. Brooks Lake is located to the southeast of the city.
Transportation
Wetumka is located where two main roads meet. These are U.S. Route 75 and Oklahoma State Highway 9.
The town also has a small, private airport called Petes Airpark. There are several other larger airports within a 35-mile (56 km) distance. These include Okmulgee Regional and McAlester Regional airports.
Notable person
- John Herrington, an astronaut, is from Wetumka.
See also
In Spanish: Wetumka (Oklahoma) para niños
