Editing Beaver, Oklahoma

{{Short description|Town in Oklahoma, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Beaver, Oklahoma
|settlement_type          = [[Town]]
|nickname                 = "Cowchip Throwing Capital of The World"<ref name="EOHC-Beaver"/>
|motto                    = "No Man's Land – Every Man's Town"<ref name="BeaverOK-About">{{cite web|url=http://www.beaveroklahoma.net/Town-of-Beaver.html|title=Town-of-Beaver|access-date=March 25, 2017|archive-date=June 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628073401/http://www.beaveroklahoma.net/Town-of-Beaver.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = 
|image_caption            = 
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Beaver County Oklahoma incorporated and unincorporated areas Beaver highlighted.svg
|map_caption              = Location within [[Beaver County, Oklahoma|Beaver County]] and [[Oklahoma]]
|image_map1               = 
|map_caption1             =

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates_footnotes    = 
|coordinates              = {{coord|36|48|54|N|100|31|25|W|region:US-OK_type:city_source:GNIS|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        = [[Beaver County, Oklahoma|Beaver]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Kirk Fisher<ref name="BeaverOK-Gov">{{cite web|url=http://www.beaveroklahoma.net/Board-of-Trustees.html|title=Board-of-Trustees|access-date=March 25, 2017|archive-date=February 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223045522/http://www.beaveroklahoma.net/Board-of-Trustees.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|leader_title1            = Administrator
|leader_name1             = Marc Davis<ref name="BeaverOK-Gov"/>
|established_title        = [[Platted]]
|established_date         = 
|established_title1       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date1        =

<!-- 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         = 1.15
|area_land_sq_mi          = 1.15
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
|area_total_km2           = 2.97
|area_land_km2            = 2.97
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 2428

<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 1280
|pop_est_footnotes        = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|population_est           = 
|population_density_sq_mi = 1114.98
|population_density_km2   = 430.34

<!-- 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              = 73932
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|area_code                = [[Area code 580|580]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 40-04750<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS ID]]
|blank1_info              = 2411674<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2411674}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.townofbeaver.com/|Town website}}
}}

'''Beaver''' is a town and [[county seat]] in [[Beaver County, Oklahoma|Beaver County]], [[Oklahoma]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712220218/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=July 12, 2012 }}</ref>  The community is in the [[Oklahoma Panhandle]].  As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the town’s population was 1,280.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://data.census.gov/all?q=beaver+(town),+oklahoma |title=Beaver (Town), Oklahoma|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=August 6, 2023}}</ref>  The city is host to the annual World [[Cow chip|Cow Chip]] Throwing Championship.<ref name="EOHC-Beaver">[http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=BE005  V. Pauline Hodges,  "Beaver,"  ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture'', 2009. Accessed April 15, 2015.]</ref> Held in April, "Cow Chip" brings attention from nearby cities with a parade, carnival, and cowchip throwing.

==History==
Beaver is located by [[Beaver River (Oklahoma)|Beaver River]], also known as [[North Canadian River]], and began as the location of a [[fur]]-[[Trade|trading]] post in 1879. Its original name was '''Beaver City''',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historynet.com/oklahoma-panhandle-badmen-in-no-mans-land.htm |title=Oklahoma Panhandle: Badmen in No Man's Land |date=June 12, 2006 |access-date=July 10, 2013}}</ref>  and was planned to be the [[Capital (political)|capital]] of the short-lived [[Cimarron Territory]]. The Federal government never recognized the proposed Territory, but Beaver City remained the center of business and law enforcement for the area.<ref name="EOHC-Beaver"/> In 1890, the territory was assigned to [[Oklahoma Territory]], and Beaver City became the seat for the entire [[Oklahoma Panhandle]], then known as Seventh County.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rootsweb.com/~itgenweb/noman|title=No Man's Land - Oklahoma Territory - OK/ITGenWeb|first=Marti|last=Graham|access-date=March 25, 2017}}</ref>

Beaver began as a stop on the [[Jones and Plummer Trail]]. In 1880, Jim Lane built a house on the south side of Beaver Creek, that also served as a general store, saloon, hotel, and restaurant.{{efn|The Lane House a/k/a the Lane Cabin still stands, and is on the National Register of Historic Places.<ref name="EOHC-Beaver"/>}} Beaver slowly sprouted along the banks of Beaver Creek. The first post office had been established on the north side of the river in 1883. In 1884 Lane moved the post office to his store and became the postmaster. He also added a corral and livery stable to accommodate freighters and cattle drivers. The Presbyterian Church was built in 1887. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as ""the oldest church in Oklahoma Territory". The Groves Hotel (later renamed the Thompson Hotel) was said to be the first business in town, when it was built in 1885. In 1891, Carter Tracy opened a general hardware and implement store. The first newspaper, the ''Territorial Advocate'', began printing in 1887.<ref name="EOHC-Beaver"/>{{efn|Although the paper's name was later changed to the ''Herald Democrat'', It has continued doing business for over 100 years, into the 21st century.<ref name="EOHC-Beaver"/>}}

Although the Oklahoma Panhandle is noted for its lack of rainfall, it is occasionally subjected to flash floods. One such event occurred early in Beaver's history, and flooded Main Street, where many of the businesses had been built. Another street, Douglas, had already been built, running south up a hill from the river, where the businesses relocated to prevent a recurrence.<ref name="EOHC-Beaver"/>

The population grew to 112 in 1900, the main reason for its existence was to support cattle ranches located in the Panhandle area. In 1901–02, the [[Homestead Act]] encouraged farmers to move in to the area.{{efn|The ranchers derisively called the farmers "pumpkin rollers."<ref name="EOHC-Beaver"/>}} Growth continued after the turn of 1900. A telephone exchange was built in 1905, and the Bank of Beaver City and the First National Bank, were established. The [[Beaver, Meade and Englewood Railroad]] (BME) was built to connect to the [[Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway]], a.k.a. M-K-T or "Katy", in [[Forgan, Oklahoma]], {{convert|7|miles|km}} to the north.<ref name="EOHC-Beaver"/> The BME track to Forgan was not completed until 1915. Later, the BME was extended into Texas and Cimarron Counties. Soon after, the M-K-T bought the BME system for $2 million.<ref name="Capace">[https://books.google.com/books?id=-EbRP8o6LGMC&dq=Beaver%2C+Meade+and+Englewood+Railroad&pg=PA127  Capace, Nancy. ''The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma''. pp. 126-7. 1999.] Somerset Publishers, Inc. St. Clair Shores, MI. {{ISBN|0-403-09837-8}} Accessed August 20, 2018</ref>

During the [[Dust Bowl]] and the [[Great Depression]] most of the Panhandle and its communities suffered great economic hardships and lost population. The city of Beaver actually gained population. In 1920, it had 920 residents, which grew to 1028 in 1930 and 1146 in 1940.<ref name="EOHC-Beaver"/>

Between Beaver and [[Guymon, Oklahoma|Guymon]] along Beaver Creek there are several plains Indians ruins. They are on private property and not accessible to the public. These ruins are associated with the Buried City Plains Indian Ruins near [[Perryton, Texas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/villagers/buriedcity/index.html|title=Villagers > Buried City Main|access-date=March 25, 2017}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city had a total area of {{convert|1.1|sqmi|km2}}, all land.

A mile north of the town is [[Beaver Dunes Park]], now owned by the City of Beaver, featuring sand dunes left by ancient seas that once covered the area.

===Climate===
[[File:US weather bureau, Beaver, OK, April 1935.png|thumb|US meteorological record, Beaver, OK, April 1935. This is significant as report of dust storms.]]
Beaver experiences a [[cool semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''BSk''), bordering upon a [[humid subtropical climate]] (''Cfa''). It features cold, highly variable, and dry winters alongside hot, much wetter summers.

While not the snowiest location in Oklahoma ranked by annual average snowfall, Beaver has the distinction of holding the State snowfall record for a season, {{convert|87.3|in|m|sigfig=2|disp=or}} during 1911–1912.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.coolweather.net/staterainfall/oklahoma.htm |title= Oklahoma Annual Rainfall and Climate Data|publisher=CoolWeather.net|accessdate=April 8, 2021}}</ref>{{Weather box
| location = Beaver, OK
| single line = Y
| Jan record high F = 82
| Feb record high F = 89
| Mar record high F = 94
| Apr record high F = 102
| May record high F = 108
| Jun record high F = 113
| Jul record high F = 110
| Aug record high F = 110
| Sep record high F = 108
| Oct record high F = 99
| Nov record high F = 89
| Dec record high F = 87
| year record high F = 113
| Jan high F = 46.0
| Feb high F = 52.3
| Mar high F = 60.7
| Apr high F = 70.8
| May high F = 78.9
| Jun high F = 89.1
| Jul high F = 95.1
| Aug high F = 93.2
| Sep high F = 84.8
| Oct high F = 73.8
| Nov high F = 58.7
| Dec high F = 48.3
| Jan mean F = 31.8
| Feb mean F = 37.2
| Mar mean F = 45.5
| Apr mean F = 55.3
| May mean F = 64.8
| Jun mean F = 75.0
| Jul mean F = 80.7
| Aug mean F = 79.0
| Sep mean F = 70.1
| Oct mean F = 57.8
| Nov mean F = 43.6
| Dec mean F = 34.0
| Jan low F = 17.5
| Feb low F = 22.0
| Mar low F = 30.3
| Apr low F = 39.7
| May low F = 50.7
| Jun low F = 60.8
| Jul low F = 66.2
| Aug low F = 64.7
| Sep low F = 55.4
| Oct low F = 41.8
| Nov low F = 28.4
| Dec low F = 19.7
| Jan record low F = −23
| Feb record low F = −19
| Mar record low F = −10
| Apr record low F = 15
| May record low F = 26
| Jun record low F = 41
| Jul record low F = 46
| Aug record low F = 45
| Sep record low F = 27
| Oct record low F = 13
| Nov record low F = −6
| Dec record low F = −13
| year record low F = −23
| Jan precipitation inch = 0.53
| Feb precipitation inch = 0.73
| Mar precipitation inch = 1.75
| Apr precipitation inch = 1.82
| May precipitation inch = 3.04
| Jun precipitation inch = 3.24
| Jul precipitation inch = 2.75
| Aug precipitation inch = 2.39
| Sep precipitation inch = 1.78
| Oct precipitation inch = 1.32
| Nov precipitation inch = 1.11
| Dec precipitation inch = 0.78
| precipitation colour = green
| source 1 = NOAA (normals, 1971–2000)<ref name= NCDC >{{Cite web |url=http://cdo.ncdc.noaa.gov/climatenormals/clim81/OKnorm.pdf |title=Climatography of the United States NO.81 |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date=January 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813082357/http://cdo.ncdc.noaa.gov/climatenormals/clim81/OKnorm.pdf |archive-date=August 13, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| source 2 = The Weather Channel (Records)<ref name= WC >{{Cite web |url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/USOK0038 |title=Monthly Averages for Beaver, OK |publisher=[[The Weather Channel]] |access-date=January 16, 2011 }}</ref>
| date = April 2011
}}<div style="width:70%;"></div>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1900= 112
|1910= 326
|1920= 920
|1930= 1028
|1940= 1166
|1950= 1495
|1960= 2087
|1970= 1853
|1980= 1939
|1990= 1584
|2000= 1570
|2010= 1515
|2020= 1280
|footnote=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060208103743/http://www.census.gov:80/prod/www/abs/decennial/ U.S. Decennial Census]
}}

As of the [[census]] of 2010, there were 1,515 people living in the city.<ref name="Census2010">{{cite web|title=2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL2.ST13&prodType=table |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=April 27, 2011 }}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>  The population density was {{convert|1,300|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 702 housing units at an average density of {{convert|590|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.<ref name="Census2010"/>  The racial makeup of the city was 92.48% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.57% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.53% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.06% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.13% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 3.69% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.53% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] people of any race were 9.68% of the population.

There were 606 households, out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.1% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city the population was spread out, with 25.4% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,560, and the median income for a family was $44,107. Males had a median income of $34,167 versus $19,511 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $19,897. About 6.8% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 12.9% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
At the start of the twenty-first century, Beaver's economy was primarily based on cattle ranching, hog farms, wheat and milo farming and oil and gas production. Supporting these industries were such businesses as two banks, oil field suppliers, a hospital, a nursing home and two medical clinics.<ref name="EOHC-Beaver"/>

==Education==
* [[Beaver Independent School District]]

==Transportation==
===Highways===
[[U.S. Route 270]] runs concurrently with [[Oklahoma State Highway 23|State 23]] north/south through the town.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.google.com/maps/place/Beaver,+OK+73932/@36.8143592,-100.5432245,13.76z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x87a805d6dd3ab0cd:0xea2b4cbc40f06f5b!8m2!3d36.8161371!4d-100.5198713 |title=Beaver, Oklahoma|publisher=Google Maps|accessdate=April 8, 2021}}</ref>

===Airport===
The Beaver Municipal Airport is located at the southern end of town, at coordinates 036° 47' 52.44"N 100° 31' 36.84"W.  The FAA Identifier is K44, and it has two runways used primarily for general aviation.  Runway 17/35 is 4050' x 60' with an asphalt surface, while 04/22 is a grass/turf field that is 2000' x 130'.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.airnav.com/airport/K44 |title=Beaver Municipal Airport|publisher=AirNav.com|accessdate=April 22, 2024}}</ref>  Commercial air service is available at [[Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport]] in [[Liberal, Kansas]], about 38 miles west-northwest.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.cityofliberal.org/202/Liberal-Airport |title=Liberal Airport|publisher=City of Liberal|accessdate=April 22, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Liberal+Airport,+Terminal+Avenue,+Liberal,+KS/Beaver,+OK+73932/@36.9371561,-100.9337625,11z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x8708135f5d23a237:0x50b30d4c4a5a96af!2m2!1d-100.962346!2d37.0439061!1m5!1m1!1s0x87a805d6dd3ab0cd:0xea2b4cbc40f06f5b!2m2!1d-100.5198713!2d36.8161371!3e0?entry=ttu |title=Liberal Airport to Beaver, Oklahoma|publisher=Google Maps|accessdate=April 22, 2024}}</ref>

==Historical sites==
The Jones & Plummer Trail Museum offers a glimpse into the early days in and around the town through displays of historical artifacts and prototype rooms.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.4038 |title= Jones & Plummer Trail Museum|publisher=TravelOK.com|accessdate=April 8, 2021}}</ref>

{{main|National Register of Historic Places listings in Beaver County, Oklahoma}}

NRHP-listed sites include the [[Beaver County Courthouse (Oklahoma)|Beaver County Courthouse]], the [[Presbyterian Church (Beaver, Oklahoma)|Presbyterian Church]], and the Lane Cabin at Main Street and Avenue C.

==Notable people==
* [[Nick Bobeck]] (1980-), football player and coach
* [[George L. Dobson|George Dobson]] (1851–1919), lawyer and politician
* [[Timothy D. Leonard|Timothy Leonard]] (1940-), United States federal judge for the Western District of Oklahoma (since 1992; senior status since 2006)
* [[Robert H. Loofbourrow|Robert Loofbourrow]] (1873–1926), pioneer settler, attorney and Associate Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court (1913–1915)
* [[Ross Rizley]] (1892–1969), politician and [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] from [[Oklahoma]]

==See also==
{{Portal|Oklahoma}}
* [[Otasco]]
* [[Jones Plummer Trail]]
* [[Black Sunday (storm)|Black Sunday]], one of the worst dust storms during [[Dust Bowl]]
* [[Presbyterian Church (Beaver, Oklahoma)]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Beaver County, Oklahoma]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|last1=Gould |first1=Charles Newton |title=Geology of Beaver county, Oklahoma, by Chas. N. Gould and John T. Lonsdale. Fossil leaves from Beaver county, by E. W. Berry. Agriculture of Beaver county, by Ernest Slocum. History of Beaver county, by F. C. Tracy.
|location=Norman, Oklahoma|year=1926|lccn=gs26000324}}
*{{cite book|title=A History of Beaver County|location=Beaver, Oklahoma |publisher= Beaver County Historical Society|year=1970–1971|lccn=70021830}} 2 v. illus. (part col.) 32&nbsp;cm.

==External links==
* [https://www.townofbeaver.com/ Town of Beaver]
* [http://www.beavercountychamberofcommerce.com/ Beaver Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.418 Beaver Dunes State Park]
* [http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=BE005 Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture – Beaver]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121024013411/http://www.library.okstate.edu/okmaps/ Oklahoma Digital Maps: Digital Collections of Oklahoma and Indian Territory]

{{Beaver County, Oklahoma}}
{{Oklahoma county seats}}
{{NRHP in Beaver County, Oklahoma}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Beaver County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Towns in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1879]]
[[Category:County seats in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Oklahoma Panhandle]]