Atoka County, Oklahoma

Last updated

Atoka County
County
Atoka county ok courthouse.jpg
The Atoka County Courthouse in Atoka.
Map of Oklahoma highlighting Atoka County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Oklahoma
Oklahoma in United States.svg
Oklahoma's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°23′N96°03′W / 34.38°N 96.05°W / 34.38; -96.05
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Oklahoma.svg  Oklahoma
Founded1907
Seat Atoka
Largest cityAtoka
Area
 • Total
990 sq mi (2,600 km2)
 • Land976 sq mi (2,530 km2)
 • Water14 sq mi (40 km2)  1.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
14,143
 • Density14/sq mi (5.5/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 2nd

Atoka County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,143. [1] Its county seat is Atoka. [2] The county was formed before statehood from Choctaw Lands, and its name honors a Choctaw Chief named Atoka. The county is part of Choctaw Nation reservation lands.

Contents

History

Map of Atoka County, 1909 AtokaCounty1909.jpg
Map of Atoka County, 1909

The area forming Atoka County was part of the Choctaw Nation after the tribe was forced to relocate in the early 1830s to Indian Territory from its home in the Southeastern United States. Unlike the State of Oklahoma, whose county boundaries follow the precise north–south, east–west grid established with the state's township and range system, the Choctaw Nation established its internal divisions using easily recognizable landmarks, such as mountains and rivers, as borders. The territory of present-day Atoka County fell within the Pushmataha District, one of the three administrative super-regions comprising the Choctaw Nation. Within that district, it was in parts of Atoka, Blue, and Jack's Fork counties.

The Choctaw named their Atoka County in honor of Chief Atoka, a leader of a party that migrated from Georgia to Indian Territory; the name was retained when Oklahoma became a state. [3]

In 1858, the Butterfield Overland Mail established a stagecoach route through the area. It carried passengers, US Mail, and some freight. One station, Waddell's, was near Wesley; a second station, Geary's, was between Waddell's and the Muddy Boggy River, while a third was at Boggy Depot. [3]

During the Civil War, Confederate troops established a supply depot named Camp Boggy Depot here. After the war, the town of Atoka was established. In 1872, the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railway (nicknamed the Christopher Casey) built a track through the county. It bypassed Boggy Depot and passed through Atoka; this access increased the importance of Atoka, but lack of the railroad contributed to the decline of Boggy Depot. [3]

The economy of Atoka County has been largely built on coal mining, limestone quarrying, forestry, and agriculture. Cattle raising became the leading business in the mid-twentieth century. A major employer is the Oklahoma State Penitentiary Farm (renamed the Mack H. Alford Correctional Center), a medium-security prison that opened in 1933. [3]

Geography

Atoka County is in southeastern Oklahoma, in a 10-county area designated for tourism purposes by the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation as Choctaw Country. [4] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 990 square miles (2,600 km2), of which 976 square miles (2,530 km2) is land and 14 square miles (36 km2) (1.5%) is water. [5]

Atoka County is drained by North Boggy, Clear Boggy and Muddy Boggy Creeks, which are tributaries of the Red River, and by McGee Creek, which is a tributary of Muddy Boggy Creek. Atoka Reservoir is in the northern section of the county. The Ouachita Mountains are in the eastern part of the county, while the Sandstone Hills and Coastal Plains physiographic regions provide a more level terrain suitable for agriculture in the north and western part of the county. [3]

About 12 miles WSW of the town of Atoka is Boggy Depot State Park, the historic site of a once large community on the Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoach route.

The Katian Age of the Ordovician Period of geological time is named for Katy Lake, which is two miles north east of Atoka. The Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) of the Katian stage is the Black Knob Ridge Section in the county. [6] [7]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1910 13,808—
1920 20,86251.1%
1930 14,533−30.3%
1940 18,70228.7%
1950 14,269−23.7%
1960 10,352−27.5%
1970 10,9726.0%
1980 12,74816.2%
1990 12,7780.2%
2000 13,8798.6%
2010 14,1822.2%
2020 14,143−0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census [8]
1790-1960 [9] 1900-1990 [10]
1990-2000 [11] 2010 [12]
Age pyramid for Atoka County, Oklahoma, based on census 2000 data. USA Atoka County, Oklahoma age pyramid.svg
Age pyramid for Atoka County, Oklahoma, based on census 2000 data.

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 14,182 people, 4,964 households, and 3,504 families residing in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile (5.4 people/km2). There were 5,673 housing units at an average density of 6 units per square mile (2.3/km2). 73.8% of the population were White, 13.8% Native American, 3.7% Black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 1.1% of some other race and 7.1% of two or more races. 2.9% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 24.5% were of American, 11.7% Irish and 8.5% German ancestry. [13] 97.4% spoke English and 1.4% Spanish as their first language.

There were 4,964 households, out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.90% were married couples living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.40% were non-families. 27.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.60% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 29.10% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 117.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 119.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $24,752, and the median income for a family was $29,409. Males had a median income of $26,193 versus $18,861 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,919. About 15.70% of families and 19.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.40% of those under age 18 and 21.10% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of May 31, 2023 [14]
PartyNumber of VotersPercentage
Democratic 2,72635.47%
Republican 4,07653.03%
Others88211.48%
Total7,686100%
United States presidential election results for Atoka County, Oklahoma [15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 4,83285.34%77913.76%510.90%
2020 4,55784.56%76514.20%671.24%
2016 4,08481.39%79515.84%1392.77%
2012 3,53874.00%1,24326.00%00.00%
2008 3,51171.93%1,37028.07%00.00%
2004 3,14261.75%1,94638.25%00.00%
2000 2,37554.93%1,90644.08%430.99%
1996 1,54235.26%2,28152.16%55012.58%
1992 1,56130.21%2,33645.21%1,27024.58%
1988 1,97143.13%2,56556.13%340.74%
1984 2,36153.13%2,04746.06%360.81%
1980 1,61338.26%2,50559.42%982.32%
1976 1,09824.94%3,27674.42%280.64%
1972 2,90572.86%99324.91%892.23%
1968 1,13127.29%1,40033.78%1,61338.92%
1964 1,42436.67%2,45963.33%00.00%
1960 1,89251.82%1,75948.18%00.00%
1956 1,73141.66%2,42458.34%00.00%
1952 2,00443.02%2,65456.98%00.00%
1948 1,03324.97%3,10475.03%00.00%
1944 1,51541.02%2,17258.81%60.16%
1940 2,21838.03%3,60161.75%130.22%
1936 1,14126.39%3,17373.40%90.21%
1932 56213.25%3,67886.75%00.00%
1928 1,57242.94%2,05656.16%330.90%
1924 1,13027.84%2,20454.30%72517.86%
1920 2,08143.19%2,10043.59%63713.22%
1916 92531.46%1,47950.31%53618.23%
1912 66928.50%1,10046.87%57824.63%

Government and infrastructure

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections operates the Mack Alford Correctional Center in an unincorporated area, near Stringtown. [16]

Communities

City

Towns

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated places

  • Bentley
  • Bethany
  • Blackjack
  • Boehler
  • Boggy Depot
  • Bruno
  • Burg
  • Centerpoint
  • Chockie
  • Cook
  • Crystal
  • Daisy
  • Dok
  • East Allison
  • East Talico
  • Farris
  • Flora
  • Forrest Hill
  • Fugate
  • Goss
  • Grassy Lake
  • Half Bank Crossing
  • Harmony
  • Hickory Hill
  • High Hill
  • Hopewell
  • Iron Stob
  • Limestone Gap
  • Lone Pine
  • Mayers Chapel
  • McGee Valley
  • Mt. Carmel
  • Mt. Olive
  • Negro Bend
  • New Hope
  • Nix
  • Old Farris
  • Patapoe
  • Payton Crossing
  • Pine Springs
  • Plainview
  • Pleasant Hill
  • Redden
  • Reynolds
  • Rock Springs
  • Standing Rock
  • Star
  • Taloah
  • Valley View
  • Voca
  • Wards Chapel
  • Webster
  • Wesley
  • West Allison
  • West Telico
  • Wilson

Education

K-12 school districts include: [17]

There is one elementary school district, Lane Public School. [17]

Previously another elementary school district, Farris Public School, was in operation. [18] In 2013 the Farris district closed and consolidated into the Lane district. [19]

NRHP sites

The following sites in Atoka County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atoka, Oklahoma</span> City in Oklahoma, United States

Atoka is a city in and the county seat of Atoka County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 3,195 as of the 2020 Census, a 2.4% increase over the 3,107 reported at the 2010 census, which was itself an increase of 4.0 percent from the figure of 2,988 in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stringtown, Oklahoma</span> Town in Oklahoma, United States

Stringtown is a town in Atoka County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 419 as of the 2020 Census, which was a 2.2% increase over the population of 410 reported at the 2010 census, which itself was an increase of 3.5% from the figure of 396 recorded in 2000. It is the second largest town in Atoka County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tushka, Oklahoma</span> Town in Oklahoma, United States

Tushka is a town in Atoka County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 413 as of the 2020 Census, a 32.4% increase over the 312 reported at the 2010 census.

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Lane is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Atoka County, Oklahoma, United States.

Farris is an unincorporated community in Atoka County, Oklahoma, United States. It lies east of the county seat of Atoka on Highway 3 near the county border.

Boggy Depot is a ghost town and Oklahoma State Park that was formerly a significant city in the Indian Territory. It grew as a vibrant and thriving town in present-day Atoka County, Oklahoma, United States, and became a major trading center on the Texas Road and the Butterfield Overland Mail route between Missouri and San Francisco. After the Civil War, when the MKT Railroad came through the area, it bypassed Boggy Depot and the town began a steady decline. It was soon replaced by Atoka as the chief city in the area. By the early 20th century, all that remained of the community was a sort of ghost town.

The Butterfield Overland Mail in Indian Territory was part of the overall Butterfield Overland Mail service (1857–1861) created by Congress March 3, 1857. The route crossed Indian Territory from Colbert's Ferry to Fort Smith, Arkansas which was the Center for the Overland Mail's' 7th Division. Fort Smith was also the junction point of the south bound coaches with the Memphis mail and its passengers. From Fort Smith the 7th Division route crossed the Poteau River into Indian Territory into the Choctaw Nation at Skullyville and left the Chickasaw Nation at Colbert's Ferry into Texas. There were 12 stage stations in Indian Territory, located from 13 to monkey pox 19 miles (31 km) apart. The total length of the route across the territory was approximately 197 miles (317 km). The Butterfield route met with the Texas Road near Geary's Station and followed it southward to the Red River.

Muddy Boggy Creek, also known as the Muddy Boggy River, is a 175-mile-long (282 km) river in south central Oklahoma. The stream headwaters arise just east of Ada in Pontotoc County. It is a major tributary of the Red River in south central Oklahoma. Clear Boggy Creek is a major tributary which enters the Muddy Boggy at a location known as River Mile 24 in Choctaw County. The river is inhabited by over one hundred species of fish.

Stringtown School District is a school district located in Atoka County Oklahoma. It is public school district in the town of Stringtown, Oklahoma that consists of two schools, an elementary school and a high school/junior high. The high school and junior high are located in the same building. The schools share the same cafeteria located between the schools.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atoka County, Choctaw Nation</span> Former political subdivision of the Choctaw Nation

Atoka County was a political subdivision of the Choctaw Nation of Indian Territory, prior to Oklahoma being admitted as a state. The county formed part of the Nation's Pushmataha District, or Third District, one of three administrative and judicial provinces called districts.

Lane Independent School District No. C-22, operating as Lane Public School, is a school district, consisting of a single K-8 school, headquartered in Lane, Oklahoma.

References

  1. ↑ "Atoka County, Oklahoma". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 James C. Milligan, "Atoka County." Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.
  4. ↑ "Counties & Regions". Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (Travel Promotion Division). Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  5. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  6. ↑ Goldman, Daniel; Stephen A. Leslie; Jaak Nõlvak; Seth Young; Stig M. Bergström; Warren D. Huff (2007). "The Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Katian Stage of the Upper Ordovician Series at Black Knob Ridge, Southeastern Oklahoma, USA" (PDF). Episodes. 30 (4): 258–270. doi: 10.18814/epiiugs/2007/v30i4/002 . Retrieved September 20, 2012.[ permanent dead link ]
  7. ↑ "GSSP for Katian Stage". Geologic Timescale Foundation. Retrieved December 2, 2012.
  8. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  10. ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  12. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  13. ↑ "American FactFinder" [ dead link ]
  14. ↑ "Voter Registration Totals". OK Elections Interactive Statistics Beta. May 31, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  15. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Mack Alford Correctional Center Archived April 4, 2013, at the Wayback Machine ." Oklahoma Department of Corrections. Retrieved on November 22, 2010.
  17. 1 2 "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Atoka County, OK" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved October 13, 2024. - Text list
  18. ↑ "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Atoka County, OK" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved October 13, 2024. - Text list
  19. ↑ Coppernoll, Carrie (March 4, 2013). "Oklahoma school district closes, but questions, lawsuits remain". The Oklahoman . Retrieved October 13, 2024.

Further reading

34°23′N96°03′W / 34.38°N 96.05°W / 34.38; -96.05

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