Editing Chickasha, Oklahoma

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Chickasha, Oklahoma
| settlement_type          = [[City]]
| nickname                 = 
| motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline            = Chickasha Depot 3-2025.jpg
| image_caption            = Former Rock Island Depot in March 2025
| image_flag               = 
| image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
| image_map                = Chickasha_city_limits_on_Grady_county.png
| mapsize                  = 
| map_caption              = Chickasha city limits on Grady County
| pushpin_map              = USA
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location in the United States

<!-- Location -->
| 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        = [[Grady County, Oklahoma|Grady]]

<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = 
| leader_title             = Mayor
| leader_name              = Zachary Grayson
| leader_title1            = 
| leader_name1             = 
| established_title        = 
| established_date         = <!-- Area -->
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| 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_km2           = 58.23
| area_land_km2            = 58.11
| area_water_km2           = 0.12
| area_total_sq_mi         = 22.48
| area_land_sq_mi          = 22.43
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.05

<!-- Population -->| population_as_of         = [[2022 United States Census|2022]]
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 16231
| population_density_km2   = 276.24
| population_density_sq_mi = 715.44

<!-- General information -->| timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset               = -6
| timezone_DST             = CDT
| utc_offset_DST           = -5
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_m              = 
| elevation_ft             = 1112
| coordinates              = {{coord|35|02|28|N|97|56|50|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code              = 73018, 73023
| area_code                = [[Area code 405|405]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 40-13950<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]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 2409446<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2409446}}</ref>
| website                  = {{URL|www.chickasha.org}}
| footnotes                = 
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| pop_est_footnotes        = 
| population_est           = 
}}

'''Chickasha''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|tʃ|ɪ|k|ə|ʃ|eɪ}} is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Grady County, Oklahoma|Grady 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/20150503072804/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 3, 2015}}</ref> The population was 16,051 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], a 0.1% increase from 2010.<ref name="Census 2010">{{Cite web| url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US4013950| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Chickasha city, Oklahoma| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| work=American Factfinder| access-date=January 24, 2017}}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>  The city is named for and strongly connected to Native American heritage, as "Chickasha" (''Chikashsha'') is the [[Choctaw language|Choctaw]] word for [[Chickasaw]]. Chickasha is home to the [[University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma]].

==History==
[[File:Oklahoma - Chickasha - NARA - 68147114 (cropped).jpg|250px|thumb|left|Chickasha in 1927]]
Chickasha was founded by [[Hobart Johnstone Whitley]], a land developer, banker, farmer and Rock Island Railroad executive.<ref>[http://allanellenberger.com/tag/whitley-heights/ "Hollywoodland H. J. Whitley."]</ref> At the time of its founding, Chickasha was located in Pontotoc County, Chickasaw Nation.<ref>Charles Goins, ''Historical Atlas of Oklahoma'' (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2006), p. 105.</ref>  The founding took place in 1892 when the [[Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway]] (Rock Island) built a track through [[Indian Territory]]. A post office was established in June 1892. One of the earliest industrial plants to come to Chickasha was the Chickasha Cotton Oil Company, which was established in 1899.<ref name="Munn, 7">Munn, 7</ref> The town incorporated in 1902.<ref name="EOHC-Chickasha">Jefferies, Angie. ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.'' "Chickasha."{{cite web |url=http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/C/CH038.html |title=Chickasha |access-date=September 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091120085015/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/C/CH038.html |archive-date=November 20, 2009}}</ref>  From 1910 to 1927, the town was served by the [[Chickasha Street Railway]], the town's own electric trolley system.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.american-rails.com/oklhaurbans.html#:~:text=The%20Chickasha%20Street%20Railway%20served,abandoned%20in%20favor%20of%20buses. |title= Chickasha Street Railway|publisher=American-Rails.com|accessdate=August 26, 2023}}</ref>

In 1908, the Oklahoma Industrial Institute and College for Girls was established in Chickasha. A local rancher named J. B. Sparks donated land for the school in memory of his daughter, Nellie. The girl was a Chickasaw descendant, and the land had been part of her allotment. The Nellie Sparks Dormitory commemorated her. The school was renamed as the [[Oklahoma College for Women]] in 1916. It became [[coeducation]]al in 1965, and was renamed the Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts. It was renamed again in 1975 as the [[University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma]].<ref name = "EOHC-Chickasha"/>

The Wilson and Bonfis Flying School opened in October 1941 to train cadets of the [[U.S. Air Force|U.S. Army Air Force]]. Over eight thousand cadets completed training there during [[World War II]]. After the war, the facility became the [[Chickasha Municipal Airport]].<ref name = "EOHC-Chickasha"/>

Also during the war, the army built and used Borden General Hospital. This site now contains Grady Memorial Hospital, Five Oaks Medical Group, Southern Plains Medical Center and Borden Park.<ref name = "EOHC-Chickasha"/>

A [[prisoner of war camp]] established in 1944 is now the site of the Grady County Fairgrounds.<ref name = "EOHC-Chickasha"/>

{{wide image|Panorama Chickasha, Okla LCCN2007662685.tif|1000 px|alt=A panoramic view showing wooden houses and businesses, many along two main dirt roads that meet at a corner|Chickasha, 1909}}

==Geography==
Chickasha is located west of the center of Grady County and is {{convert|42|mi}} southwest of [[Oklahoma City]],<ref name = "EOHC-Chickasha"/> which is accessible via [[Interstate 44 in Oklahoma|Interstate 44]] (the [[H. E. Bailey Turnpike]]). I-44 passes through the southeast side of the city, with access from Exits 80 and 83, and leads southwest {{convert|47|mi}} to [[Lawton, Oklahoma|Lawton]]. [[U.S. Route 62 in Oklahoma|U.S. Route 62]] runs through the city as Choctaw Avenue, leading east and then northeast {{convert|18|mi}} to [[Blanchard, Oklahoma|Blanchard]] and west 18 miles to [[Anadarko, Oklahoma|Anadarko]]. [[U.S. Route 81 in Oklahoma|U.S. Route 81]] passes through the city center, leading south {{convert|40|mi}} to [[Duncan, Oklahoma|Duncan]] and north {{convert|35|mi}} to [[El Reno, Oklahoma|El Reno]]. [[U.S. Route 277 in Oklahoma|U.S. Route 277]] enters Chickasha from the south with US 81 and leaves to the east with US 62.

Line Creek passes through the north part of the city and flows into the [[Washita River]] about one mile northeast of the city.<ref>''Chickasha, OK,'' 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1966 (1976 rev.)</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|57.2|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|0.1|km2|order=flip|2}}, or 0.22%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010"/> The [[Washita River]] flows through the northern end of the city, then turns south and forms part of the city's eastern border.

===Climate===
{{Weather box

|location = Chickasha, Oklahoma
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 87 
|Feb record high F = 92 
|Mar record high F = 98 
|Apr record high F = 98 
|May record high F = 102 
|Jun record high F = 110
|Jul record high F = 116 
|Aug record high F = 116 
|Sep record high F = 109 
|Oct record high F = 101 
|Nov record high F = 89 
|Dec record high F = 84 
|year record high F= 116 
|Jan high F = 52
|Feb high F = 57
|Mar high F = 65
|Apr high F = 75
|May high F = 83
|Jun high F = 90
|Jul high F = 96
|Aug high F = 96
|Sep high F = 88
|Oct high F = 76
|Nov high F = 64
|Dec high F = 53
|year high F= 75
|Jan low F = 26
|Feb low F = 30
|Mar low F = 38
|Apr low F = 48
|May low F = 58
|Jun low F = 67
|Jul low F = 71
|Aug low F = 70
|Sep low F = 61
|Oct low F = 49
|Nov low F = 38
|Dec low F = 28
|year low F= 48
|Jan record low F = −11 
|Feb record low F = −10 
|Mar record low F = −8 
|Apr record low F = 21 
|May record low F = 27 
|Jun record low F = 45 
|Jul record low F = 52 
|Aug record low F = 43 
|Sep record low F = 34 
|Oct record low F = 13 
|Nov record low F = 8 
|Dec record low F =  4
|year record low F= −11 
|precipitation colour=green
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.5
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.8
|Mar precipitation inch = 2.9
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.5
|May precipitation inch = 4.6
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.9
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.4
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.5
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.6
|Oct precipitation inch = 4.1
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.2
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.0
|year precipitation inch=36.9
|Jan snow inch = 1
|Feb snow inch = 
|Mar snow inch = 
|Apr snow inch = 
|May snow inch = 
|Jun snow inch = 
|Jul snow inch = 
|Aug snow inch = 
|Sep snow inch = 
|Oct snow inch = 
|Nov snow inch = 
|Dec snow inch = 1
|year snow inch= 2
<!--Average daily % humidity-->
|Jan humidity= 70
|Feb humidity= 69
|Mar humidity= 62
|Apr humidity= 62
|May humidity= 71
|Jun humidity= 69
|Jul humidity= 67
|Aug humidity= 64
|Sep humidity= 63
|Oct humidity= 65
|Nov humidity= 63
|Dec humidity= 67
|year humidity= 66
<!--Average number of rainy days-->
|unit rain days= <!--If entering the average number of days, then the unit requirement should be used, because this varies between countries. Eg. 0.1 in, 0.01 in.-->
|Jan rain days= 3.2
|Feb rain days= 3.2
|Mar rain days= 4.8
|Apr rain days= 6.4
|May rain days= 7.3
|Jun rain days= 6.6
|Jul rain days= 4.8
|Aug rain days= 4.8
|Sep rain days= 5.2
|Oct rain days= 5.2
|Nov rain days= 3.2
|Dec rain days= 3.6
|year rain days= 58.3

|source 1 = Weatherbase.com<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/chickasha/oklahoma/united-states/usok0663 | title = Monthly Average Weather for Chickasha, Oklahoma, United States}}</ref>
|date=June 14, 2023
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1900= 3209
|1910= 10320
|1920= 10179
|1930= 14099
|1940= 14111
|1950= 15842
|1960= 14886
|1970= 14194
|1980= 15828
|1990= 14988
|2000= 15850
|2010= 16036
|2020= 16051
|2022= 16231
|footnote=Sources:<ref name="GR2" /><ref name="Census1960">{{cite web|title=Number of Inhabitants: Oklahoma|url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/37749197v1p38ch2.pdf|work=18th Census of the United States|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=November 22, 2013 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="Census1990">{{cite web|title=Oklahoma: Population and Housing Unit Counts|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-38.pdf|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=November 23, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US4013950&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1|title=2020 Census Data|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 8, 2023}}</ref>
}}
As of the [https://data.census.gov/profile/Chickasha%20city,%20Oklahoma?g=160XX00US4013950 United States Census Bureau], there were 16,231 people, 6,222 households, and 3,773 families residing in the city.<ref name="ACS2022">{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=1600000US4013950&y=2022|title=2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 8, 2023}}</ref> There were 7,585 housing units.<ref name="ACS2022"/> The racial makeup of the city was 72% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 7% [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]], 4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 9% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 8% of the population.<ref name="ACS2022"/>
Of the 6,222 households, 30.68% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.03% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, and 39.36% were non-families. 69.32% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 2.95.<ref name="ACS2022"/>
The population included 22.8% under the age of 18, 14% from 18 to 24, 28% from 25 to 44, 24% from 45 to 64, and 11% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males.<ref name="ACS2022"/>
According to the 2022 American Community Survey, the median income for a household in the city was $55,136, and the median income for a family was $74,629.<ref name="ACS2022"/> The [[per capita income]] for the city was $31,688. About 17.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 23% of those under age 18 and 10% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="ACS2022"/>
In terms of educational attainment, 88.9% of residents 25 and older had at least a high school diploma, and 19.4% had a bachelor's degree or higher. The majority of employed residents worked in private companies (72.39%), followed by government workers (15.58%), and self-employed individuals (8.23%).<ref name="ACS2022"/>

==Economy==
Agriculture, particularly wheat production, and cattle raising have been important to the city's economy since its earliest days. Manufacturing became important about the middle of the 20th century. ArvinMeritor Replacement Parts and Delta Faucet opened facilities in the 1970s.<ref name = "EOHC-Chickasha"/>

==Arts and culture==
[[File:Shannon Springs Park.JPG|thumb|Shannon Springs Park during the Annual Festival of Light]]
[[File:Chickasha Leg Lamp 3-2025.jpg|thumb|Leg lamp statue, in the manner of the leg lamp in '[[A Christmas Story]]', March 2025]]
The city's annual Festival of Light takes place at the {{convert|43|acre|m2|adj=on}} Shannon Springs Park and opens nightly from around Thanksgiving to the end of December. Concessions, carriage rides, pictures with Santa, and shopping are available. The Festival of Light has received many awards over the years including Regional Event of the Year, A.B.A. Top 100 Event, National Top 25 Holiday Event, Festival of the Year, Best Community Festival Event and Best Place to Take Out of Town Visitors. The festival has been featured statewide on ''Discover Oklahoma'', ranked as a Top Place to Visit by Fine Living Network (2004), and designated as an official 2007 Oklahoma Centennial Event. Over 140 businesses and clubs sponsor the event in various ways. The installation of lights in 290 trees, {{convert|8|mi|0}} of walk-ways, bridges, arbors, gazebos and buildings begins in September; however, it takes through March to get the lights taken down and stored away. More than 1,200 volunteers donate time and skill, and now Display Sponsors have reached the 100 mark. The park has over 3.5 million lights, and the crystal pedestrian bridge boasts over 75,000 lights alone. It draws together over a thousand local volunteers and more than 250,000 visitors from across the United States.<ref>[http://www.chickashafestivaloflight.com/history "Festival of Light History,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101190901/http://www.chickashafestivaloflight.com/history |date=2015-01-01 }} ''Chickasha Festival of Light'', Retrieved January 21, 2015.</ref>

[[File:USAO Troutt Hall.jpg|thumb|alt=A statue of a woman in Native American costume in front of a yellow brick three-story building.|[[Te Ata Fisher|Te Ata]] statue in front of Trout Hall on the USAO campus]]

The [[University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma]] hosts an annual festival, the Spring Triad, which is made up of the Montmartre Chalk Art Festival, the Droverstock music festival, and the Scholastic Meet.<ref>Snyder, Rachel. [http://www.chickashanews.com/news/article_c7a0a918-2052-5fc1-a4bf-c978e6aa9a5f.html " Annual Drover concert begins today,"] ''The Express-Star'', April 3, 2014. Accessed January 28, 2015.</ref><ref>la terra studio. [http://www.chickasha.org/parks/2013_Chickasha_Park_System_Master_Plan_DRAFT_07_31_13.pdf "Chickasha, Grady County, Oklahoma: Park System Master Plan,"]{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''Chickasha Parks and Recreation Department'', July 24, 2013, p. 13. Accessed January 28, 2015.</ref> The event is held annually on the first Thursday of April.<ref name="USAO-Triad-04-09-14">[http://65.64.85.221/news/spring-triad-events-draw-thousands-usao-campus "Spring Triad Events Draw Thousands to USAO Campus"] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20150129032349/http://65.64.85.221/news/spring-triad-events-draw-thousands-usao-campus |date=January 29, 2015}}, ''University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma'', April 9, 2014. Accessed January 28, 2015.</ref> The art festival is held around the USAO Oval, where over 700 artists compete in a chalk art contest.<ref>Coppernoll, Carrie. [http://newsok.com/usao-sidewalk-chalk-festival-draws-out-creativity-in-chickasha/article/3557841 "USAO sidewalk chalk festival draws out creativity in Chickasha,"] ''NewsOK'', April 13, 2011. Accessed January 28, 2015.</ref><ref>Vollmar, Rob. [http://www.chickashanews.com/news/chalk-art-festival-sends-out-call-to-oklahoma-artists/article_190c2ade-a5cd-11e4-8616-235c080900ab.html "Chalk art festival sends out call to Oklahoma artists,"] ''The Express-Star'', January 26, 2015. Accessed January 28, 2015.</ref> Droverstock features over 12 hours of live music from various bands of all styles and genres.<ref name="Droverstock-2015">[http://www.usao.edu/events/droverstock-2015 "Droverstock 2015,"] ''University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma'', Accessed January 28, 2015.</ref> There are also many vendors, inflatables, and activities associated with the festival.<ref name="Droverstock-2015"/> The Scholastic Meet attracts around 1000 students annually from over 50 Oklahoma counties who compete in academic disciplines such as math, science, music, history, and other subjects.<ref>Snyder, Rachel. [http://www.chickashanews.com/news/article_1a26a305-900d-5823-9c19-3cc280201b95.html "Southmoore takes first at USAO scholastic meet,"] ''The Express-Star'', April 6, 2014. Accessed January 28, 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.usao.edu/events/usao-scholastic-meet-2015 "Scholastic Meet 2015,"] ''University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma'', Accessed January 28, 2015.</ref> The competition is the largest academic meet in the state. Overall, the day-long event attracts thousands into the community.<ref name="USAO-Triad-04-09-14"/>

The Muscle Car Ranch located on the south edge of Chickasha hosts an annual swap meet and concert, which is held in August. The Ranch, located on {{convert|70|acre|m2}} of a 1900s dairy farm, features hundreds of nostalgic advertisements and memorabilia representing the last 75 years of American history.<ref>Krebs, Michelle. [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/20/automobiles/collectibles/20museums-deep-south.html?_r=0 "Auto Museums in the Deep South ,"] ''The New York Times'', February 20, 2008. Accessed January 28, 2015.</ref> The concert has featured rock and roll groups such as [[The Byrds]], [[The Grass Roots]], [[Paul Revere & the Raiders]], [[Jefferson Airplane]], [[The Lovin' Spoonful]], [[Firefall]], [[John Conlee]], [[Dr. Hook]] and [[Bad Company]].<ref>Austerman, Lisa. [http://newsok.com/muscle-car-ranchs-auto-motorcycle-swap-meet-is-family-event/article/2511096 "Muscle Car Ranch's Auto, Motorcycle Swap Meet Is Family Event,"] ''NewsOK'', August 13, 1995. Accessed January 28, 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.chickashanews.com/sports/okie-noodling-championship-saturday-at-muscle-car-ranch/article_120d200d-c7fe-5fb6-9c18-b88a99b2ae8e.html "Okie Noodling Championship Saturday at Muscle Car Ranch,"] ''The Express-Star'', July 9, 2011. Accessed January 28, 2015.</ref>

From a small local swapmeet, the Chickasha Pre-war Swap Meet has evolved to be one of the significant swapmeets for owners and collectors of cars from before 1942 (World War II). According to numerous posts in the forum of the Model T Club of America, the Chickasha Pre-war Swap Meet is considered the best Ford Model T swapmeet in the US.<ref>[http://www.pwsm.com Pre-War Swap Meet Pre-War Swap Meet]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100226033951/http://www.pwsm.com/ |date=February 26, 2010 }}, Accessed January 21, 2015.</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
[[Chickasha Lake|Lake Chickasha]] is a City-owned lake located northwest of town in neighboring [[Caddo County, Oklahoma|Caddo County]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.chickashanews.com/news/could-lake-chickasha-be-sold/article_1ed37b36-27bd-11e4-9058-001a4bcf887a.html?mode=jqm |title=Could Lake Chickasha be sold?|publisher=Adam Troxtell, The Express-Star, August 19, 2014|accessdate=July 26, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Chickasha,+OK/Lake+Chickasha,+Oklahoma+73092/@35.1064205,-98.1199292,11.37z/data=!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x87ad83458673ca1b:0x8c3149c91180e256!2m2!1d-97.9364326!2d35.052565!1m5!1m1!1s0x87adbd654614b61d:0x6472d74e20bd532a!2m2!1d-98.1365868!2d35.1418608 |title=Chickasha, Oklahoma to Lake Chickasha|publisher=Google Maps|accessdate=July 24, 2021}}</ref>  It offers recreation such as swimming, boating, and water sports, as well as hiking, camping, and playground usage.<ref name=Local>{{cite web|url= https://www.chickasha.org/549/Local-Attractions |title=Local Attractions|publisher=Chickasha, Oklahoma|accessdate=July 24, 2021}}</ref>

Shannon Springs Park has a splash pad and pool, free fishing for those under 16 or over 65, playground equipment, an outdoor amphitheater, pavilions and more.<ref name=Local/>  Events are held here such as the annual Festival of Lights.<ref name=Local/>

The Chickasha Sports Complex hosts regional baseball, softball and soccer tournaments, as well as facilitating local games and practice sessions.<ref name=Local/>

==Government==
Chickasha has an elected mayor and city council, with a city manager on its staff.<ref name = "EOHC-Chickasha"/>

==Education==
[[File:Verden Separate School.jpg|thumb|alt=A one-room schoolhouse with white-painted wooden siding|Verden Separate School in Chickasha]]

Chickasha Public School District includes [[Chickasha High School]], Chickasha Middle School, Lincoln Elementary, Grand Elementary, and the Bill Wallace Early Childhood Center.<ref>[http://chickasha.k12.ok.us/schools.html "Schools,"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125233335/http://chickasha.k12.ok.us/schools.html |date=January 25, 2015 }} ''Chickasha Public Schools'', Accessed January 28, 2015.</ref>

Chickasha is the current location of a historic schoolhouse that served black children in Grady County. Verden Separate School was built by African American Allen Toles on his own property in the nearby town of [[Verden, Oklahoma|Verden]] in 1910.<ref>Lane, Jessica. [http://www.chickashanews.com/news/verden-separate-school-featured-as-best-in-country/article_acd6ed54-b70d-525c-96fa-7e1096eaca6a.html "Verden Separate School featured as best in country,"] ''The Express-Star'', June 25, 2014. Accessed January 28, 2015.</ref> The school operated until 1935.<ref name="NewsOK-6-19-10">[http://newsok.com/historic-one-room-chickasha-schoolhouse-for-blacks-to-celebrate-centennial/article/3469637 "Historic one-room Chickasha schoolhouse for blacks to celebrate centennial,"] ''NewsOK'', June 19, 2010. Accessed January 28, 2015.</ref> The school building was rediscovered by historians in 2004 and restored and relocated to Chickasha.<ref name="NewsOK-6-19-10"/> It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.<ref name="NewsOK-6-19-10"/>

A branch of [[Canadian Valley Technology Center]] provides vocational and community education in Chickasha.<ref>[http://cvtech.edu/chickasha "Chickasha Campus,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141119043934/http://www.cvtech.edu/chickasha |date=2014-11-19 }} ''Canadian Valley Technology Center'', Accessed January 28, 2015.</ref>

The [[University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma]], Oklahoma's public liberal arts college, is located in Chickasha. It was founded in 1908 by the Oklahoma State Legislature as Oklahoma Industrial Institute and College for Girls.<ref>[http://usao.edu/about-usao/early-years "Early Years,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120034110/http://usao.edu/about-usao/early-years |date=2015-01-20 }} University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Retrieved January 19, 2015.</ref> The school's name was officially changed to Oklahoma College for Women in 1916.<ref>Savage, Cynthia. [http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/U/UN013.html "University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305231753/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/U/UN013.html |date=March 5, 2013 }}, ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.''</ref>  In 1965, the school became coeducational, and its name was changed to Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts.<ref>[http://65.64.85.221/about-usao/ocla "OCLA,"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120033916/http://65.64.85.221/about-usao/ocla |date=January 20, 2015 }} University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Retrieved January 19, 2015</ref> The school is currently known as the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
Chickasha is served by [[Interstate 44]], [[US Route 62]], [[US Route 81]], [[US Route 277]], [[US Route 62]], [[Oklahoma State Highway 39|State 39]], [[Oklahoma State Highway 19|State 19]], and [[Oklahoma State Highway 92|State 92]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chickasha,+OK/@35.0298721,-98.0804547,11.07z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x87ad83458673ca1b:0x8c3149c91180e256!8m2!3d35.052565!4d-97.9364326 |title=Chickasha, Oklahoma|publisher=Google Maps|accessdate=July 24, 2021}}</ref>

[[Chickasha Municipal Airport]] (KCHK; FAA ID CHK), owned by the city and about 3 miles northwest, has multiple runways, the longest of which is 5101&nbsp;ft by 100&nbsp;ft and concrete-surfaced.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.airnav.com/airport/KCHK |title=Chickasha Municipal Airport|publisher=AirNav.com|accessdate=July 24, 2021}}</ref>

Commercial air transportation is available at [[Will Rogers World Airport]], about 38 miles northeast.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Will+Rogers+World+Airport+(OKC),+Terminal+Drive,+Oklahoma+City,+OK/Chickasha,+OK/@35.2342703,-98.0361922,10z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x87b2120d7b2a7fdd:0xce9dc2593921ae7c!2m2!1d-97.600556!2d35.393056!1m5!1m1!1s0x87ad83458673ca1b:0x8c3149c91180e256!2m2!1d-97.9364326!2d35.052565 |title=Will Rogers World Airport to Chickasha, Oklahoma|publisher=Google Msps|accessdate=July 24, 2021}}</ref>

Rail freight service is provided by [[Union Pacific]].  Union Pacific honors Chickasha as a “Train Town USA,” one of 131 communities out of the 7,300 communities it serves, because of the town's unique, long-standing relationship with the railroad.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.up.com/aboutup/train_town/index.cfm |title=Train Town USA|publisher=Union Pacific|access-date=July 20, 2020}}</ref>

==Notable people==

* [[Stephen Alexander (American football)|Stephen Alexander]], American football tight end who played for the [[Washington Redskins]]
* [[Patricia Barchas]], anthropologist from [[Stanford University]] who created the academic field of [[social neuroscience]]
* [[Dudley Dickerson]], actor and comedian
* [[Dane Evans]], professional [[Canadian Football League|CFL]] [[quarterback]]
* [[Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher]], African-American lawyer, administrator and activist
* [[Shug Fisher]], western film and TV character actor, singer, songwriter, comedian and member of the [[Sons of the Pioneers]]
* Emmett Goodwin, former chief of police in Chickasha who was murdered by a fellow officer
* [[Jeane Porter Hester]], cancer researcher and co-developer of the [[IBM 2997]] computerized blood cell separator
* [[Cowboy Hill (American football)|Cowboy Hill]], college football player for the University of Oklahoma and professional player from 1923 to 1926
* [[Kendra Horn]], congresswoman
* [[Terry Humphrey]], [[Major League Baseball]] player
* [[Jed Johnson (Oklahoma politician)|Jed Johnson]], newspaper editor and politician, served as representative in the U.S. Congress
* [[Jed Johnson, Jr.]], son of Jed Johnson, U.S. representative from Oklahoma
* [[JaCoby Jones]], Major League Baseball player, outfielder for the [[Detroit Tigers]]
* [[Merle Kilgore]], country music personality
* [[Cleavon Little]], actor and comedian
* [[Jack McCracken]], basketball player in the 1930s and 1940s
* [[Don McNeill (tennis)|Don McNeill]], American tennis player
* [[Scott Meacham]], Oklahoma politician
* [[Orville Moody]], professional golfer
* [[Lee Pace]], actor
* [[Sam Rayburn (American football)|Sam Rayburn]], defensive tackle for the [[Philadelphia Eagles]], [[San Francisco 49ers]] and [[Miami Dolphins]]
* [[Leon Polk Smith]], painter
* [[Randy Souders]], artist born in Chickasha
* [[Robert Streb]], PGA tour golfer
* [[Te Ata Fisher|Mary Frances Thompson (Te Ata Fisher)]], Chickasaw actress; attended USAO in Chickasha
* [[Kelby Tomlinson]], Major League Baseball player with the [[San Francisco Giants]] from 2015 to 2018
* [[Bill Wallace (author)|Bill Wallace]], children's author; the Early Childhood Education Center in Chickasha bears his name
* [[Reggie Willits]], former baseball player for the [[Los Angeles Angels]]
* [[Dean Wooldridge]], prominent engineer in the aerospace industry

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book|title=Chickasha: Another Journey Back in Time |last=Munn |first=Irving |year= 1992  |location=Chickasha, OK |publisher=USAO Foundation}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Collier's poster|Chickasha}}
* [http://www.chickasha.org City of Chickasha official website]
* [http://www.chickashachamber.com Chickasha Chamber of Commerce]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091120085015/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/C/CH038.html Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture - Chickasha]

{{Grady County, Oklahoma}}
{{Oklahoma county seats}}
{{Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Oklahoma City metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Cities in Grady County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Cities in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:County seats in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:1892 establishments in Oklahoma Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1892]]