Gerty, Oklahoma

Last updated

Gerty, Oklahoma
OKMap-doton-Gerty.PNG
Location of Gerty, Oklahoma
Coordinates: 34°50′09″N96°17′20″W / 34.83583°N 96.28889°W / 34.83583; -96.28889
Country United States
State Oklahoma
County Hughes
Area
[1]
  Total0.25 sq mi (0.65 km2)
  Land0.25 sq mi (0.65 km2)
  Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
[2]
837 ft (255 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total92
  Density363.64/sq mi (140.55/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
  Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
FIPS code 40-29150 [3]
GNIS feature ID2412680 [2]

Gerty is a town in southern Hughes County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 118 at the 2010 census. [4]

Contents

History

During the early 1830s, as a result of President Andrew Johnson's Indian Relocation policy, the Choctaw Indians began moving into this part of what was called Indian Territory. One Choctaw community, then called "Buzzard Flop," became a rest stop for travelers and freight wagons headed westward. The site provided ample clear spring water and adequate level ground on which to camp. The Choctaws also found that the site was suitable cattle country, and several families built ranches in the area. [5]

By 1880, the Choctaws had found that this made ideal country of cattle raising. In 1891 the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway (also known as the CRI&P or "Rock Island") built an east-west line ten miles north of Guertie. In 1893 James S. Raydon, a Choctaw who had already received his allotment of land from the Dawes Commission, built a log cabin, put in a store, and established a post office. The latter was approved by the federal government on June 15, 1894, and called "Guertie", for Raydon's daughter. Raydon was the first postmaster. [5]

After the Dawes Commission had finished allotting land to eligible Choctaws, George Sorrell sold his quarter section, containing Guertie, to the federal government. The townsite was then surveyed and the lots sold, stimulating settlement. In December 1907 the town name was changed to Raydon. In that year of statehood the town had population of 600, four general mercantile stores, three hotels, three drug stores, two blacksmith shops, three active lodges, three churches, a hospital, a bank, a café, a sawmill, and a newspaper called the Guertie News. Because citizens began to get mail intended for an office name "Ragan", in June 1910 the Post Office Department changed the name back to Guertie and then changed the spelling to Gerty, to avoid confusion with Guthrie in Logan County. [5]

Gerty has not showed a clear trend of population since its establishment. It first appeared in the U.S. census of 1910, showing a population of 305. The number declined to 137 by 1930, before rising to 206 by 1960. It has never reached 200 in the census between 1960 and the present.

Geography

Gerty is located in southern Hughes County 2 miles (3 km) west of U.S. Route 75, 8 miles (13 km) southeast of Allen, 17 miles (27 km) southeast of Holdenville and 12 miles (19 km) south of Calvin. [5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town of Gerty has a total area of 0.2 square miles (0.6 km2), all land. [4] The town drains south to Panther Creek, a tributary of Muddy Boggy Creek and part of the Red River watershed.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1910 305
1920 251−17.7%
1930 137−45.4%
1940 20650.4%
1950 155−24.8%
1960 135−12.9%
1970 1393.0%
1980 1497.2%
1990 95−36.2%
2000 1016.3%
2010 11816.8%
2020 92−22.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [6]

As of the census [3] of 2000, there were 101 people, 40 households, and 29 families residing in the town. The population density was 414.2 inhabitants per square mile (159.9/km2). There were 51 housing units at an average density of 209.1 per square mile (80.7/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 83.17% White, 12.87% Native American, and 3.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.99% of the population.

There were 40 households, out of which 37.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 29.7% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 19.8% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $20,250, and the median income for a family was $18,750. Males had a median income of $23,750 versus $13,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $8,496. There were 20.0% of families and 25.3% of the population living below the poverty line, including 25.0% of under eighteens and 50.0% of those over 64.

Education

Gerry began its educational system with subscription schools. It built A two-story, frame building was constructed on the present school site in 1903. Money, labor, and lumber were donated, the latter freighted in from the Kiamichi Mountains. Gatewood and Lawrence districts consolidated with Gerty in 1923, followed by Social Hill district in 1947. [5]

The first class to complete high school in the Gerty District graduated in 1929. In 1936, there were 170 students enrolled in grade school and 55 in high school. However, by the turn of the 21st Century, the entire school district had only 28 students. [5]

Related Research Articles

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

Armstrong is a town in Bryan County, Oklahoma, United States, along the Blue River. The population was 105 at the 2010 census, a 25.2 percent decrease from the figure of 141 recorded in 2000. The town was named for Frank C. Armstrong, a member of the Dawes Commission.

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

Bennington is an incorporated town in Bryan County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 334 at the 2010 census.

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

Bokchito is a town in Bryan County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 632 at the 2010 census, an increase of 12.1 percent over the figure of 564 recorded in 2000. In the Choctaw language, "bok" means river, and "chito" means big or large, literally translating into "big creek".

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

Fort Towson is a town in Choctaw County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 510 at the 2010 census, a 15.1 percent decline from the figure of 611 recorded in 2000. It was named for nearby Fort Towson, which had been established in May 1824 and named for General Nathan Towson, a hero of the War of 1812. The town of Fort Towson was established in 1902, after the Arkansas and Choctaw Railway reached eastern Choctaw County.

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

Sawyer is a town in Choctaw County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 321 at the 2010 census.

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

Soper is a town in Choctaw County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 261 at the 2010 census. The town was named for Pliny L. Soper, who was an attorney for the Arkansas and Choctaw Railway.

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

Ninnekah is a town in Grady County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 775 at the 2020 census, a 22.7% decrease from 2010.

Kinta is a town in Haskell County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 297 at the 2010 census, an increase of 22.2 percent over the figure of 243 recorded in 2000.

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

Calvin is a town in Hughes County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 294 at the 2010 census.

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

Stuart is a town in southeastern Hughes County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 180 at the 2010 census, down from 220 in 2000.

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

Wapanucka is a town in northeastern Johnston County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 438 at the 2010 census, a 1.6 percent decrease from the figure of 445 in 2000. It is about 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Tishomingo. The town name refers to the Delaware Nation and means "Eastern Land People."

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

Fort Coffee is a town in Le Flore County, Oklahoma, United States. Originally constructed as a U. S. Army fort in 1834, it was named for U. S. General John Coffee, a veteran of the Seminole Wars. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 424 at the 2010 census, a gain of 2.9 percent over the figure of 412 in 2000.

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

Shady Point, sometimes referred to as Shadypoint, is a town in Le Flore County, Oklahoma, United States. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,026 at the 2010 census, a 21.0 percent increase over the figure of 848 recorded in 2000.

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

Talihina is a town in LeFlore County, Oklahoma, United States, its name originating from two Choctaw words, tully and hena, meaning "iron road," a reference to the railroad around which the town was built. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas–Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 925 at the time of the 2020 Census.

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

Wister is a town in Le Flore County, Oklahoma, United States. It is part of the Fort Smith metropolitan area. The population was 1,102 at the 2010 census. Wister is named for Gutman G. Wister, an official with the Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad.

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

Choctaw is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, with a population of 12,182 at the 2020 census, a 9.3% increase from 2010. It is the oldest chartered town in Oklahoma Territory. The city is located approximately 10 miles (16.1 km) east of Oklahoma City and is part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.

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

Indianola is a town in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 162 at the 2010 census, a loss of 15.2 percent compared to 191 at the 2000 census.

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

Geary is a city in Blaine and Canadian counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 994 at the 2020 census. The town was named for Edmund Guerrier, a scout and an interpreter for the U.S. Army.

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

Hydro is a town in Caddo and Blaine counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 927 as of the 2020 United States census.

Allen is a town in Hughes and Pontotoc counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 805 at the 2020 census.

References

  1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  2. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Gerty, Oklahoma
  3. 1 2 "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. 1 2 "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Gerty town, Oklahoma". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 /enc/entry.php?entry=GE012 Fran Cook and Spencer P. Petete. "Gerty." Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. [ permanent dead link ] Accessed July 1, 2019.
  6. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.