Stilwell, Oklahoma

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Stilwell, Oklahoma
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Stilwell, Oklahoma


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Oklahoma
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Adair

government_footnotes =
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leader_title =
leader_name =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 8.3
area_land_km2 = 8.2
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 3.2
area_land_sq_mi = 3.2
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2007
population_footnotes =
population_total = 3450
population_density_km2 = 399.1
population_density_sq_mi = 1033.7

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 332
elevation_ft = 1089
latd = 35 |latm = 48 |lats = 55 |latNS = N
longd = 94 |longm = 37 |longs = 53 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 74960
area_code = 918
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 40-70350GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1098544GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Stilwell is a city in Adair County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 3,276 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Adair CountyGR|6.

Named for industrialist Arthur Stilwell when his Kansas City, Pittsburg & Gulf Railroad came through the area on the way to Port Arthur, Texas.

Geography

Stilwell is located at coor dms|35|48|55|N|94|37|53|W|city (35.815234, -94.631359)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.3 km²), of which, 3.2 square miles (8.2 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.63%) is water.

Stilwell is located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 59 and State Highway 51.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 3,276 people, 1,269 households, and 809 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,033.7 people per square mile (399.0/km²). There were 1,434 housing units at an average density of 452.5/sq mi (174.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 41.88% White, 0.49% African American, 48.41% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.45% from other races, and 5.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.99% of the population. At 48.57% Cherokee, Stilwell is the most Cherokee community in the United States.

There were 1,269 households out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.7% were married couples living together, 17.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the city the population was spread out with 30.0% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $18,555, and the median income for a family was $24,673. Males had a median income of $20,500 versus $17,351 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,034. About 28.3% of families and 32.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.6% of those under age 18 and 20.4% of those age 65 or over.

History

Stilwell was the sight of the 1903 "Black Tuesday Massacre" in which a traveling circus featuring several side shows including a sword swallower, a bearded lady, and other various sideshow "freaks came to town on July 7th 1903. The show drummed up controversy due to a peep show that was attended by several males in the town. A few church elders drummed up a backlash that turned violent. several of the "freaks were tarred and feathered, beaten and run out of town but tragedy struck when a Little person who went under the show name "Little Nathan Limore" was strung up by townspeople. Arrests were made but nobody was ever found guilty of the crime. To this day circuses and carnivals avoid this town, due to an unspoken rule that has survived over a century.

References

External links