Editing Barnsdall, Oklahoma

{{Short description|City in Osage County}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Barnsdall, Oklahoma
| settlement_type          = [[City]]
| nickname                 = Bigheart
| motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline            = BarnsdallMainStreetWell.jpg
| image_caption            = [[Barnsdall Main Street Well Site]] (2007)
| image_flag               =
| image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
| image_map                = OKMap-doton-Barnsdall.PNG
| map_caption              = Location of Barnsdall in Oklahoma
| image_map1               =
| map_caption1             =

<!-- Location -->
| coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name=gnis/>
| coordinates              = {{coord|36|33|20|N|96|09|16|W|region:US-OK|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Oklahoma]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Oklahoma|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Osage County, Oklahoma|Osage]]

<!-- Established -->
| established_title        = Founded
| established_date         = 1905 (Bigheart)<br/>1922 (Barnsdall)
| established_title1       = [[Platted]]
| established_date1        =
| established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date2        =
| named_for                = [[James Bigheart]]<br/>Theodore Barnsdall

<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes     =
| government_type          = Mayor-council
| leader_title             = Mayor
| leader_name              = Johnny Kelley

<!-- Area -->
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi         = 1.18
| area_land_sq_mi          = 0.98
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.20
| area_total_km2           = 3.06
| area_land_km2            = 2.55
| area_water_km2           = 0.51
| unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft             = 735

<!-- Population -->
| population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census-2020-Profile"/>
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_total         = 1034
| pop_est_footnotes        =
| pop_est_as_of            =
| population_est           =
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
| population_density_km2   = auto

<!-- General information -->
| timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset               = -6
| timezone_DST             = CDT
| utc_offset_DST           = -5
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]
| postal_code              = 74002
| area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| area_codes               = [[area codes 539 and 918|539 / 918]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 40-04250 <ref name=gnis/>
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS ID]]
| blank1_info              = 2409788 <ref name=gnis>{{cite gnis2|2409788|Barnsdall, Oklahoma}}</ref>
| website                  = {{URL|https://cityofbarnsdallok.org/|cityofbarnsdallok.org}}
}}
'''Barnsdall''' is a city in [[Osage County, Oklahoma]], United States.<ref name=gnis/>  As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of the city was 1,034.<ref name="Census-2020-Profile">{{cite web |title=Profile of Barnsdall, Oklahoma in 2020 |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Barnsdall_city,_Oklahoma?g=160XX00US4004250 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=May 7, 2024 }}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Scene on Main Street in Bigheart, Oklahoma.jpg|thumb|left|Bigheart in 1910]]
The community was founded in 1905 and originally named '''Bigheart''', for the Osage Chief [[James Bigheart]]. It was initially a 160-acre site along the [[Midland Valley Railroad]] in March 1905. The railroad opened Bigheart Station in September 1905 and the Bigheart Post Office opened in January 1906.  The community was exempted from the [[Osage Nation#Osage Allotment Act|Osage allotment]], so lots could be sold to anyone. Lots were auctioned in May 1906. The first newspaper, the ''Bigheart Star'', first appeared in 1906.<ref name = "EOHC-Barnsdall">[http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=BA023 Jon D. May, "Barnsdall," ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture''.] Accessed May 8, 2015.</ref>

Joshua Cosden built the Southwest Refining Company oil refinery in 1910. He sold it to Stone and Webster of Boston, Massachusetts in 1917. The Barnsdall Oil Company had discovered the nearby Bigheart (later Barnsdall) oilfield in 1916. The Barnsdall Oil Company, bought the refinery in 1921.  The community was renamed '''Barnsdall''' on January 1, 1922, in honor of Theodore N. Barnsdall.<ref name = "EOHC-Barnsdall" />

Barnsdall experienced a [[tornado]] in April 1911, a major fire in March 1913 and a flood in September 1915. Despite these calamities, the population increased from 307 in 1910 to 2,099 in 1920.<ref name = "EOHC-Barnsdall" /> That proved to be the high point of population in the community.

[[Henry Latham Doherty|Henry L. Doherty]] bought the holdings of Theodore N. Barnsdall, founder of Barnsdall Oil Company, in 1912.<ref name="Doherty">[http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=DO006 Weaver, Bobby D. "Doherty, Henry Latham (1870 - 1939)." Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.] Accessed December 1, 2016</ref>  Barnsdall Refining Company renamed itself Bareco Oil Company in 1940. It ceased refining oil in 1946 and began producing [[microcrystalline wax]]es that year. [[Baker Hughes#Petrolite (1997)|Petrolite Corporation]] (later part of [[Baker Hughes]]) bought Bareco and continued to operate the plant.<ref name = "EOHC-Barnsdall"/> The business was sold to SK Capital in September 2020 and renamed NuCera Solutions;<ref>{{cite web|url= https://chasecorp.com/nucerasolutions/sk-capital-closes-acquisition-of-specialty-polymers-business-from-baker-hughes-rebranding-the-business-nucera-solutions-announces-leadership-team |title= SK Capital Closes Acquisition of Specialty Polymers Business from Baker Hughes, Rebranding the Business NuCera Solutions; Announces Leadership Team |publisher=NuCera Solutions, September 30, 2020|accessdate=July 31, 2024}}</ref> and, NuCera was sold in September 2022 to Chase Corporation.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://chasecorp.com/nucerasolutions/chase-corporation-announces-closing-of-acquisition-of-nucera-solutions |title= Chase Corporation Announces Closing of Acquisition of NuCera Solutions|publisher=NuCera Solutions, September 6, 2022|accessdate=July 31, 2024}}</ref>  NuCera continued as operator until July 2024, when tornado damage lead to announcement of the plant's phased shutdown.<ref name=Shutdown/>

The [[Midland Valley Railroad]] trackage both north and south of Barnsdall has been abandoned, the southern portion in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=MI008 |title=Midland Valley Railroad|publisher=Augustus J. Veenendaal, Jr., Oklahoma Historical Society|accessdate=October 27, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.facebook.com/WatcoCompanies/photos/osage-railroad-1000-leads-a-south-kansas-oklahoma-railroad-train-in-the-moline-k/10155335611710518/  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/153854920517/10155335611710518 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=Osage Railroad 1000 leads a South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad train in the Moline, KS yard in July 1991|publisher=Watco, July 19, 2018 (accessed on Facebook)|accessdate=October 26, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref>  At least some of the route south of Barnsdall has been converted into a [[rail trail]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7094529/osage-prairie-trail |title=Osage Prairie Trail|publisher=HikingProject|accessdate=October 27, 2021}}</ref>

===2024 tornadoes===
{{See also|Tornado outbreak and derecho of April 1–3, 2024|2024 Barnsdall–Bartlesville tornado}}
On the evening of April 1, 2024, an [[Enhanced Fujita scale|EF1]] tornado struck Barnsdall, damaging 35 homes, but no injuries were reported.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cleanup progresses in Barnsdall after April 1 tornado |url=https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/progress-made-from-cleanup-volunteer-help-in-barnsdall-after-april-1-tornado |website=[[KJRH-TV|KJRH]] 2 tv |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507045527/https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/progress-made-from-cleanup-volunteer-help-in-barnsdall-after-april-1-tornado |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |date=April 3, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On the evening of May 6, 2024, an EF4 tornado hit the city, the second tornado in the city within five weeks. Peak wind speeds were estimated at {{convert|180|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=LIVE BLOG: Tornado reported in Barnsdall |url=https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/live-blog-tornado-reported-in-barnsdall |website=2 News Oklahoma KJRH Tulsa |access-date=7 May 2024 |language=en |date=7 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Media |first1=Griffin |title=Barnsdall Hit By Tornado; Houses Damaged With Trees, Power Lines Downed |url=https://www.newson6.com/story/6639a77e58729f087504d17f/barnsdall-hit-by-tornado-houses-damaged-with-trees-power-lines-downed |website=www.newson6.com |access-date=7 May 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Two fatalities occurred in Barnsdall as a result of the tornado, and several structures were completely destroyed. Barnsdall Nursing Home was among the structures that were damaged. Several buildings, including schools, were opened to those who had homes damaged or destroyed and needed shelter.<ref>[https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/live-blog-tornado-reported-in-barnsdall 1 killed by storms after apparent tornado hits Barnsdall; May 6, 2024; KJRH 2 TV.]</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/interactive/2024/deadly-tornado-strikes-oklahoma/ In photos: The scene after a deadly tornado strikes Oklahoma; May 8, 2024; The Washington Post.]</ref> At least ten people reportedly suffered injuries due to the tornado.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.koco.com/article/barnsdall-bartlesville-tornado-oklahoma-ok-damage/60713699 | title=Deadly Barnsdall tornado gets preliminary EF4 rating, search continues for missing man: What we know | date=May 9, 2024 }}</ref> Significant damage was done to the NuCera refinery.<ref name=Shutdown/>

==Geography==
Barnsdall is located {{convert|17|mile|km}} southeast of [[Pawhuska, Oklahoma|Pawhuska]], the Osage County seat, and {{convert|40|miles|km}} northwest of [[Tulsa]].<ref name = "EOHC-Barnsdall"/>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|0.6|sqmi|km2}}, all land.

=== Climate ===
{{Weather box
| location = Barnsdall, Oklahoma
| single line = Y
| Jan high F = 46.7
| Feb high F = 52.5
| Mar high F = 63.1
| Apr high F = 74.1
| May high F = 80.5
| Jun high F = 88.3
| Jul high F = 94.5
| Aug high F = 93.8
| Sep high F = 85.2
| Oct high F = 75.0
| Nov high F = 61.2
| Dec high F = 49.7
| year high F = 72.1
| Jan low F = 22.5
| Feb low F = 27.4
| Mar low F = 37.0
| Apr low F = 48.1
| May low F = 56.5
| Jun low F = 65.2
| Jul low F = 69.8
| Aug low F = 67.6
| Sep low F = 60.3
| Oct low F = 48.0
| Nov low F = 37.0
| Dec low F = 26.4
| year low F = 47.2
| Jan precipitation inch = 1.4
| Feb precipitation inch = 1.9
| Mar precipitation inch = 3.7
| Apr precipitation inch = 3.3
| May precipitation inch = 4.8
| Jun precipitation inch = 4.7
| Jul precipitation inch = 2.9
| Aug precipitation inch = 3.5
| Sep precipitation inch = 5.6
| Oct precipitation inch = 3.2
| Nov precipitation inch = 3.0
| Dec precipitation inch = 1.9
| year precipitation inch = 39.9
| source 1 = Weatherbase.com <ref>{{cite web
| url =http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=535043&refer=
| title = Historical Weather for Barnsdall, Oklahoma, United States}}</ref>
| date = August 2010
| source = 
| width = auto
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1910= 307
|1920= 2099
|1930= 2001
|1940= 1831
|1950= 1708
|1960= 1663
|1970= 1579
|1980= 1501
|1990= 1316
|2000= 1325
|2010= 1243
|2020= 1034
|footnote=2020 Cenus Results<ref name="2020 Cenus Results">{{cite web |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US4004250|title=2020 Cenus Results|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=Sep 21, 2021}}</ref>
}}

===2022 American Community Survey===
{{As of|2022|pre=the}} [[American Community Survey]] estimates, there were {{formatnum:1019}} people and {{formatnum:360}} households.<ref name=DP02>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP5Y2022.DP02?g=160XX00US4004250 | title= 2022 American Community Survey 5 Year Estimate: Selected Social Characteristics in the United States for Barnsdall city, OK | access-date = June 22, 2024 | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><ref name=DP05>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP5Y2022.DP05?g=160XX00US4004250 | title= 2022 American Community Survey 5 Year Estimate: Demographic and Housing Estimates for Barnsdall city, OK | access-date = June 22, 2024 | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|1035.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were {{formatnum:461}} housing units at an average density of {{convert|468.5|/sqmi|/km2|1}}.<ref name=Gaz2023>To calculate density we use the land area figure from the places file in {{cite web| url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html | title = The 2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files}}</ref><ref name=DP05/><ref name=B25001>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDT5Y2022.B25001?g=160XX00US4004250 | title= 2022 American Community Survey 5 Year Estimate: Housing Units for Barnsdall city, OK | access-date = June 22, 2024 | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The racial makeup of the city was 65.6%&nbsp;White, 19.7%&nbsp;Native American or Alaskan Native, and 0.7%&nbsp;Black or African American, with 14.0%&nbsp;from two or more races.<ref name=DP05/> [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanics or Latinos]] of any race were 5.3%&nbsp;of the population.<ref name=DP05/>

Of the {{formatnum:360}} households, 26.4%&nbsp;had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.6%&nbsp;had seniors 65 years or older living with them, 54.2%&nbsp;were married couples living together, 5.8%&nbsp;were couples cohabitating, 11.7%&nbsp;had a male householder with no partner present, and 28.3%&nbsp;had a female householder with no partner present.<ref name=DP02/> The median household size was {{formatnum:2.74}} and the median family size was {{formatnum:3.42}}.<ref name=DP02/>

The age distribution was 28.0%&nbsp;under 18, 11.4%&nbsp;from 18 to 24, 19.0%&nbsp;from 25 to 44, 21.5%&nbsp;from 45 to 64, and 20.1%&nbsp;who were 65 or older. The median age was {{formatnum:36.8}} years.<ref name=S0101>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2022.S0101?g=160XX00US4004250 | title= 2022 American Community Survey 5 Year Estimate: Age and Sex for Barnsdall city, OK | access-date = June 22, 2024 | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> For every 100 females, there were {{formatnum:111.4}} males.<ref name=DP05/>

The median income for a household was ${{formatnum:56500}}, with family households having a median income of ${{formatnum:67625}} and non-family households ${{formatnum:23516}}. The [[per capita income]] was ${{formatnum:23458}}.<ref name=S1902>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2022.S1902?g=160XX00US4004250 | title= 2022 American Community Survey 5 Year Estimate: Mean Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2022 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) for Barnsdall city, OK | access-date = June 22, 2024 | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><ref name=S1901>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2022.S1901?g=160XX00US4004250 | title= 2022 American Community Survey 5 Year Estimate: Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2022 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) for Barnsdall city, OK | access-date = June 22, 2024 | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> Males working [[full-time job]]s had median earnings of ${{formatnum:40402}} compared to ${{formatnum:34688}} for females.<ref name=S2001>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2022.S2001?g=160XX00US4004250 | title= 2022 American Community Survey 5 Year Estimate: Earnings in the Past 12 Months (in 2022 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) for Barnsdall city, OK | access-date = June 22, 2024 | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> Out of the {{formatnum:982}} people with a determined poverty status, 6.5%&nbsp;were below the [[poverty line]]. Further, 2.2%&nbsp;of minors and 4.6%&nbsp;of seniors were below the poverty line.<ref name=S1701>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2022.S1701?g=160XX00US4004250 | title= 2022 American Community Survey 5 Year Estimate: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months for Barnsdall city, OK | access-date = June 22, 2024 | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

In the survey, residents self-identified with various ethnic ancestries. People of [[German American|German]] descent made up 16.0%&nbsp;of the population of the town, followed by [[Irish American|Irish]] at 14.7%, [[American ancestry|American]] at 9.2%, [[English American|English]] at 4.9%, [[Dutch American|Dutch]] at 2.5%, [[Caribbean American|Caribbean (excluding Hispanics)]] at 1.4%, [[Scotch-Irish American|Scotch-Irish]] at 0.8%, and [[Arab American|Arab]] at 0.7%.<ref name=DP02/>

==Economy==
NuCera Solutions was located in Barnsdall, a manufacturer of specialty waxes and polymers and the town's largest employer.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}} On May 6, 2024, the plant sustained severe damage from an EF4 tornado. It was announced on July 30, 2024, that the plant would close permanently in 6–12 months, despite initial efforts to rebuild the plant.<ref name=Shutdown>{{cite web | url=https://www.fox23.com/news/barnsdalls-biggest-employer-nucera-solutions-plant-closing-permanently-after-ef4-tornado/article_51f026f2-4eab-11ef-868b-cbd8d1cd18e4.html | title=Barnsdall's biggest employer, NuCera Solutions plant, closing permanently after EF4 tornado | date=July 30, 2024 }}</ref>

==Attractions==
[[Image:BankOfBigheartBuilding2.jpg|thumb|right|[[Bank of Bigheart]] building in Barnsdall. Built in 1911, it is the community's oldest surviving commercial building.]]
Barnsdall has two properties listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Osage County, Oklahoma]]: 
* [[Bank of Bigheart]], which is the communities oldest commercial building
* [[Barnsdall Main Street Well Site]], an oil well in the middle of Main Street.

In addition, the [[Woolaroc|Woolaroc Ranch Historic District]], 8 miles east of the junction of [[Oklahoma State Highway 11|State Highway 11]] and [[Oklahoma State Highway 123|State Highway 123]], is near Barnsdall.

[[Lake Waxhoma]], about 4 miles east, offers fishing opportunities, as well as being a key water source for the town.<ref name=Travel>{{cite web|url= https://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.4389 |title=Lake Waxhoma|publisher=TravelOK|accessdate=May 1, 2025}}</ref><ref name=Oklahoman>{{cite web|url= https://www.oklahoman.com/story/weather/2025/05/01/lake-waxhoma-dam-patch-fails-floods-rural-oklahoma-roads-creeks/83384274007/ |title=A patch on the Lake Waxhoma Dam has failed, flooding nearby rural roads and creeks|publisher=Jana Hayes, The Oklahoman, May 1, 2025|accessdate=May 1, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://fishbrain.com/fishing-waters/0XsKl56t/lake-waxhoma |title=Lake Waxhoma|publisher=FishBrain|accessdate=May 1, 2025}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Anita Bryant]] (1940–2024), singer and anti-gay political activist, born in Barnsdall
* [[Clark Gable]] (1901–1960), actor in ''[[Gone with the Wind (film)|Gone With the Wind]]''
* [[Thomas F. Hall|Thomas Hall]] (born 1939), retired U.S. Navy rear admiral
* [[J. Edward Roush]] (1920–2004), lawyer, 8-term U.S. Representative from Indiana

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://cityofbarnsdallok.org/ City of Barnsdall]
* [http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=BA023 ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture'' - Barnsdall]

{{Osage County, Oklahoma}}
{{Tulsa metro}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1905 establishments in Oklahoma Territory]]
[[Category:Cities in Osage County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Cities in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Populated places within the Osage Nation reservation]]
[[Category:Tulsa metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1905]]