Pittsburg County, Oklahoma

Pittsburg County
County
Pittsburg County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Oklahoma
Oklahoma's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°56′N95°45′W / 34.93°N 95.75°W / 34.93; -95.75
Country	United States
State	Oklahoma
Founded	1907
Named for	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Seat	McAlester
Largest city	McAlester
Area
• Total	1,378 sq mi (3,570 km2)
• Land	1,305 sq mi (3,380 km2)
• Water	72 sq mi (190 km2)  5.3%
Population  (2020)
• Total	43,773
• Density	32/sq mi (12/km2)
Congressional district	2nd
Website	pittsburg.okcounties.org

Pittsburg County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 43,773. ^[1] Its county seat is McAlester. ^[2] The county was formed from part of the Choctaw Nation in Indian Territory in 1907. County leaders believed that its coal production compared favorably with Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the time of statehood. ^[3]

Pittsburg County comprises the McAlester, OK micropolitan statistical area.

History

The area forming Pittsburg County was part of the Choctaw Nation after the Choctaw tribe was forced to relocate to Indian Territory from its home in the Southeastern United States in the early 1830s. Unlike the State of Oklahoma, whose county boundaries follow the precise north–south, east–west grid provided by Oklahoma'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 Pittsburg County fell within two of the three provinces, called districts, comprising the Choctaw Nation, the Moshulatubbee District and Pushmataha District, and within those districts, into Atoka County, Jack's Fork County, Gaines County, Sans Bois County, and Tobucksy County. ^[4]

Some important trails, including the Texas Road and one route of the California Trail passed through what is now Pittsburg County. In 1840, James Perry established a village called Perryville that became an important stop near the place where the two trails crossed. During the Civil War, Perryville served as an important supply depot for Confederate forces until the Union Army captured and burned the town. It became defunct after the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway (MK&T) bypassed it in 1872, and the remaining inhabitants moved to McAlester. The Butterfield Overland Mail route followed a route through this area. ^[3]

James J. McAlester moved to the Choctaw Nation in 1872, opened a trading post and married a Chickasaw woman. This qualified him to obtain citizenship rights in the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations. When the MK&T built its line, McAlester laid claim to the coal deposits in the Perryville area, which he and some partners leased to the Osage Coal and Mining Company, which was owned by the Missouri Pacific Railroad and acquired by the MK&T in 1888. ^[3]

Pittsburg County was formed on July 16, 1907, as an original county from Choctaw land. County leaders, thinking its coal production compared favorably with Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, named the new county after the Pennsylvania city with the "h" removed. Coal mining continued to expand until the early 20th century. Production began to decline after 1920, and never fully recovered. By 1966, the county production was no longer reported. ^[3]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,378 square miles (3,570 km²), of which 1,305 square miles (3,380 km²) is land and 72 square miles (190 km²) (5.3%) is water. ^[5] The county's topography is generally hilly to mountainous. The Ouachita Mountains extend into the southeastern portion. The Canadian River drains most of the county and with Eufaula Lake form the northern boundary of the county. The southern part of the county is drained by several creeks that flow into the Kiamichi River and then into the Red River. ^[3]

Adjacent counties

• McIntosh County (north)
• Haskell County (northeast)
• Latimer County (east)
• Pushmataha County (southeast)
• Atoka County (south)
• Coal County (southwest)
• Hughes County (west)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	47,650		—
1920	52,570		10.3%
1930	50,778		−3.4%
1940	48,985		−3.5%
1950	41,031		−16.2%
1960	34,360		−16.3%
1970	37,521		9.2%
1980	40,524		8.0%
1990	40,581		0.1%
2000	43,953		8.3%
2010	45,837		4.3%
2020	43,773		−4.5%
U.S. Decennial Census [6] 1790-1960 [7] 1900-1990 [8] 1990-2000 [9] 2010 [10]

As of the census of 2010, there were 45,837 people, 18,623 households, and 15,389 families residing in the county. ^[11] The population density was 13/km² (34/sq mi). There were 22,634 housing units at an average density of 6/km² (16/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 73.6% White/Caucasian, 3.3% Black or African American, 13.8% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.78% from other races, and 7.6% from two or more races; 3.14% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.4% were of American, 12.7% Irish, 11.3% German, 9.4% English and 7.2% Italian ancestry. Since the 2020 census, its population has declined to 43,773. ^[10]

In 2010, there were 18,623 households, out of which 29.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.90% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.40% were non-families. 27.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.90. In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.50% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 17.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 101.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.10 males.

As of 2010, the median income for a household in the county was $28,679, and the median income for a family was $35,190. Males had a median income of $28,470 versus $19,886 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,494. About 13.60% of families and 17.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.70% of those under age 18 and 13.30% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of June 30, 2023 [12]
Party		Number of Voters	Percentage
	Democratic	8,505	32.28%
	Republican	13,446	51.04%
	Others	4,395	16.68%
Total		26,346	100%

United States presidential election results for Pittsburg County, Oklahoma ^[13]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	13,841	78.77%	3,473	19.76%	258	1.47%
2020	13,851	77.28%	3,768	21.02%	305	1.70%
2016	12,753	73.84%	3,711	21.49%	807	4.67%
2012	10,841	69.17%	4,831	30.83%	0	0.00%
2008	11,752	68.29%	5,457	31.71%	0	0.00%
2004	11,134	59.91%	7,452	40.09%	0	0.00%
2000	8,514	52.05%	7,627	46.63%	216	1.32%
1996	5,966	35.58%	8,475	50.55%	2,325	13.87%
1992	5,659	30.06%	8,523	45.27%	4,645	24.67%
1988	7,594	46.47%	8,623	52.77%	125	0.76%
1984	9,778	58.34%	6,860	40.93%	122	0.73%
1980	7,062	44.54%	8,292	52.29%	503	3.17%
1976	4,807	30.63%	10,743	68.46%	142	0.90%
1972	9,989	66.42%	4,748	31.57%	303	2.01%
1968	3,978	28.79%	6,112	44.24%	3,726	26.97%
1964	3,555	26.42%	9,903	73.58%	0	0.00%
1960	5,834	44.39%	7,310	55.61%	0	0.00%
1956	5,239	38.46%	8,382	61.54%	0	0.00%
1952	5,909	38.23%	9,546	61.77%	0	0.00%
1948	2,893	23.20%	9,576	76.80%	0	0.00%
1944	4,068	32.22%	8,535	67.60%	23	0.18%
1940	4,484	30.55%	10,169	69.29%	23	0.16%
1936	3,651	26.71%	9,974	72.97%	43	0.31%
1932	2,396	18.53%	10,536	81.47%	0	0.00%
1928	5,875	49.20%	5,960	49.91%	107	0.90%
1924	3,554	33.01%	6,062	56.31%	1,149	10.67%
1920	5,371	47.17%	5,361	47.08%	655	5.75%
1916	1,879	30.26%	3,441	55.42%	889	14.32%
1912	1,574	27.07%	2,767	47.59%	1,473	25.34%

Economy

Although Pittsburg County was originally noted for its coal production, agriculture has long been important to the county economy. Just after statehood, farmers controlled 20 percent of the county's land area. The most important cash crops were corn and cotton. By 1960, sorghum had become the most important crop. In 2000, wheat had become the top crop. ^[3]

Manufacturing became significant when the U.S. Navy built an ammunition depot at McAlester during World War II. It employed 8,000 people in 1945. The U. S. Army took over the facility in 1977. ^[3]

The Corps of Engineers built Eufaula Lake between 1956 and 1964, which brought tourism, land development and a major source of hydroelectric power. ^[3]

Communities

Cities

• Haileyville
• Hartshorne
• Krebs
• McAlester (county seat)

Towns

• Alderson
• Ashland
• Canadian
• Carlton Landing
• Crowder
• Indianola
• Kiowa
• Pittsburg
• Quinton
• Savanna

Census-designated places

• Adamson
• Arpelar
• Bache
• Blanco
• Bug Tussle
• Canadian Shores
• Haywood
• Longtown
• Scipio

Other unincorporated places

• Blocker
• Cabaniss ^[14] – located near the intersection of "Cabiness" Road, US Highway 270 and Twisted Creek Road.
• Ti

Education

School districts include: ^[15]

K-12:

• Canadian Public Schools
• Clayton Public Schools
• Crowder Public Schools
• Haileyville Public Schools
• Hartshorne Public Schools
• Indianola Public Schools
• Kiowa Public Schools
• McAlester Public Schools
• Pittsburg Public Schools
• Quinton Public Schools
• Savanna Public Schools
• Stuart Public Schools

Elementary only:

• Frink-Chambers Public School
• Haywood Public School
• Krebs Public School
• Tannehill Public School

There is a Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)-affiliated school and boarding facility, Jones Academy (education for grades 1–6, boarding only for grades 7–12)

NRHP sites

Main article: National Register of Historic Places listings in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma

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

• Aldridge Hotel, McAlester
• Blackburn's Station Site, Pittsburg
• Busby Office Building, McAlester
• Busby Theatre, McAlester
• Canadian Jail and Livery Stable, Canadian
• Choate Cabin, Indianola
• Cole Chapel School, Hartshorne
• Federal Building and US Courthouse, McAlester
• First Presbyterian Church, McAlester
• Hokey's Drugstore, Krebs
• Jeff Lee Park Bath House and Pool, McAlester
• Mass Grave of the Mexican Miners, McAlester
• McAlester Armory, McAlester
• McAlester DX, McAlester
• McAlester House, McAlester
• McAlester Scottish Rite Temple, McAlester
• Mine Rescue Station Building, McAlester
• New State School, McAlester
• OKLA Theater, McAlester
• Perryville, McAlester
• Pittsburg County Courthouse, McAlester
• Pittsburg School and Gymnasium, Pittsburg
• Southern Ice and Cold Storage Company, Pittsburg
• St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Krebs
• Tipton Ridge School, Blocker

References

1. "Pittsburg County, Oklahoma". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 20, 2023.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. O'Dell, Larry. "Pittsburg County," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society, 2009. Accessed April 4, 2015.
4. John W. Morris, Historical Atlas of Oklahoma, Plate 38.
5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
8. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
9. "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 October 9, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
10. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
12. "Oklahoma Registration Statistics by County" (PDF). OK.gov. January 15, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
13. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
14. https://roadsidethoughts.com/ok/cabaniss-xx-pittsburg-profile.htm Roadside Thoughts: Cabaniss, Pittsburg County, OK. Accessed May 8, 2022.
15. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Pittsburg County, OK" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022. - Text list

34°56′N95°45′W / 34.93°N 95.75°W / 34.93; -95.75