Editing Durant, Oklahoma

{{Short description|City in Oklahoma, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Durant, Oklahoma
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|image_skyline            = Durant Oklahoma Aerial (50996156576).jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Aerial view of Durant
|image_seal               = Durant, Oklahoma - official seal.jpg
|nickname                 = City of Magnolias and Gateway to Lake Texoma
|image_map                = OKMap-doton-Durant.PNG
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location within the state of [[Oklahoma]]
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
| pushpin_map = USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States
|coordinates              = {{coord|33|59|59|N|96|23|5|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Oklahoma|County]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Oklahoma]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Bryan County, Oklahoma|Bryan]]
|established_date         = 1872
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              =  Martin Tucker
|leader_title1            = [[Vice Mayor]]
|leader_name1             = Mike Simulescu
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 72.08
|area_total_sq_mi         = 27.83
|area_land_km2            = 71.89
|area_land_sq_mi          = 27.76
|area_water_km2           = 0.18
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.07
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 669
|population_total         = 18589
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_density_km2   = 258.56
|population_footnotes     = 
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]s
|postal_code              = 74701-74702
|area_code                = [[Area code 580|580]]
|website                  = {{URL|www.durant.org}}
|footnotes                = 
|leader_title2            = [[City Manager]]
|leader_name2             = Tim Rundell
|timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]]
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 40-22050<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2410375<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2410375}}</ref>
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|pop_est_footnotes        = 
|population_est           = 
|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>
|population_density_sq_mi = 669.68
}}
[[File:Durant June 2018 14 (W Main Street).jpg|thumb|right|Main Street in Durant]]
'''Durant''' ({{IPAc-en|d|uː|r|æ|n|t}}) is a city in [[Bryan County, Oklahoma]], United States. The population was 18,589 in the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]. It serves as the [[Capital city|capital]] of the [[Choctaw Nation]], and is the largest settlement on the reservation, ranking ahead of [[McAlester, Oklahoma|McAlester]] and [[Poteau, Oklahoma|Poteau]]. Durant is the principal city of the Durant [[List of United States micropolitan areas|Micropolitan Statistical Area]], which had a population of 46,067 in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Quick Facts: Bryan County, OK |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/bryancountyoklahoma |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=US Census Bureau}}</ref> Durant is also part of the [[Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex|Dallas–Fort Worth Combined Statistical Area]], anchoring the northern edge.<ref name="violentcrime">{{cite web |url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/econ/ec2012/csa/EC2012_330M200US206M.pdf |access-date=2015-07-26 |title=Dallas–Fort Worth TX–OK Combined Statistical Area |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref>

The city was founded by Dixon Durant, a [[Choctaw]] who lived in the area,<ref name="phipps">Phipps p. 180</ref> after the [[Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad|MK&T railroad]] came through the [[Indian Territory]] in the early 1870s. It became the [[county seat]] of Bryan County<ref name="GR6">{{cite web |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |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=2012-07-12 }}</ref> in 1907 after Oklahoma statehood.

Durant is home to [[Southeastern Oklahoma State University]] and the headquarters of the Choctaw Nation. The city is officially known as the [[Magnolia]] Capital of Oklahoma.<ref name="sosu_master_plan">{{cite web| title = Master Plan – Section 2: The Campus of a Thousand Magnolias| work = Southeastern Oklahoma State University Master Plan| publisher = Southeastern Oklahoma State University| year = 2010| url = http://homepages.se.edu/master-plan/section-2-the-campus-of-a-thousand-magnolias/| access-date = May 8, 2010| archive-date = July 20, 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110720042959/http://homepages.se.edu/master-plan/section-2-the-campus-of-a-thousand-magnolias/| url-status = dead}}</ref> The city and its micropolitan are a major part of the [[Texoma]] region.

==History==
[[File:Durant June 2018 02 (Bryan County Courthouse).jpg|thumb|Bryan County Courthouse and Confederate monument]]
[[File:Durant city hall.JPG|thumb|Durant City Hall]]
[[File:Oklahoma - Durant - NARA - 68147128 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Durant in 1936]]
The Durant area was once claimed by both Spain and France before officially becoming part of the United States after the [[Louisiana Purchase]] and [[Adams–Onís Treaty]]. During the 1820s and 1830s the area was designated as part of the Choctaw Nation in the southern Indian Territory. During the [[Indian removal]]s the Choctaws followed the [[Choctaw Trail of Tears]] from their ancestral homeland in [[Mississippi]] and [[Alabama]] into this area. The Choctaw Nation originally extended from the [[Mexico|Mexican]] border in the west (now part of the [[Texas panhandle]]) to the [[Arkansas Territory]] in the east, from the [[Red River of the South|Red River]] in the south to the [[South Canadian River]] in the north. In 1855, the Choctaw and Chickasaws formally divided their land into two separate nations, with Durant remaining in Choctaw territory on the east. Chickasaw land extended west to the boundary that would divide Indian Territory from Oklahoma Territory after passage of the Oklahoma Organic Act in 1890.<ref name="milligan"/>

Pierre Durant and his four sons, all of French-Choctaw origin, made the journey up the Trail of Tears on the way to the southeastern part of the [[Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma|Choctaw Nation]] in 1832. The brothers, grown, with families of their own, established homesteads from the Arkansas line to Durant. One son, Fisher, married to a full-blood [[Choctaw]], found a beautiful location for a home between Durant's present Eighth and Ninth avenues. At the time of Durant's founding it was located in [[Blue County, Choctaw Nation|Blue County]], a part of the [[Pushmataha District]] of the Choctaw Nation.<ref>Morris, John W.  ''Historical Atlas of Oklahoma'' (Norman: University of Oklahoma, 1986), plate 38.</ref>

Fisher Durant's son Dixon Durant is recognized as the founder of Durant and is honored as its namesake. A minister, businessman and civic leader, Dixon Durant is credited with pastorates in local [[Presbyterian]], [[Congregational]] and [[Methodist]] churches. He established the first store selling general merchandise in 1873,<ref name="milligan">Milligan, Keith L. [http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=DU010 "Durant,"] ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture'', Oklahoma Historical Society, 2009. Accessed April 15, 2015.</ref> around the time of the 1872 creation of the [[Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad]] (Katy Railroad) siding at Durant, which was the initial impetus for establishing the community.<ref name="milligan"/>

The Missouri-Kansas and Texas Railway (also known as the MKT or "Katy") had already laid a line through the area that would become Durant by November 1882. A wheelless boxcar was parked on the siding there and named "Durant Station". Dixon Durant erected the first building, adjacent to the boxcar, where he opened a general store in 1873. The first post office, also named as Durant Station, Indian Territory, opened February 20, 1879, but closed on July 11, 1881.{{sfn|Shirk|1987|p=74}} A.E. Fulsom was postmaster.<ref>Foreman, p. 6</ref> The [[U.S. Postal Service]] re-established the post office at the site as Durant on March 8, 1882, dropping the word "station" from the name.{{sfn|Shirk|1987|p=74}} Beginning in 1882, the area was simply called Durant.<ref name="milligan"/>

W.H. Hilton was elected the first mayor of Durant.

A memorable event in Durant's rail history occurred on April 5, 1905. A special southbound Katy train stopped in the city with President [[Theodore Roosevelt]] aboard.<ref name="roosevelt">{{Cite news| title = Roosevelt Says He's a Typical President| newspaper=The New York Times| location = New York, New York| date = April 6, 1905| url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1905/04/06/101323417.pdf| access-date = May 8, 2010}}</ref>

In 1895, a fire destroyed the original business district, which had spread along the Katy tracks.

Calvin Institute was opened in 1894, representing the first institute of higher education in the immediate area, which was an outgrowth of Presbyterian mission work among the [[Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma|Choctaw Indian nation]]. Its success led it being reopened as a larger school, Durant Presbyterian College in 1901, later renamed as [[Oklahoma Presbyterian College]].<ref name="Lost Colleges">{{cite web | url=https://www.lostcolleges.com/oklahoma-presbyterian-college#! | title=(259) Oklahoma Presbyterian College: Oklahoma Presbyterian College, Durant, Oklahoma (1894-1966) | publisher=America's Lost Colleges | access-date=May 21, 2019 | author=Batesel, Paul }}</ref> After statehood became effective on November 16, 1907, the state legislature created the Southeastern State Normal School at Durant, which opened March 6, 1909. This school was renamed Southeastern State Teachers College in 1921, and renamed again in 1974 as the present Southeastern Oklahoma State University.<ref name="milligan"/>

Further growth of the town was inhibited by its proximity to the larger town of Caddo (also on the Katy line) and the fact that Dixon Durant did not want to sell more of the land he had inherited to non-Indians. In the 1902-1903 timeframe, the [[St. Louis, San Francisco and New Orleans Railroad]], an affiliate of the [[St. Louis and San Francisco Railway]] (also known as "SL&SF" or "Frisco") had intended to build an east–west line through Caddo, where it would intersect the Katy. A rapid land price increase near Caddo instead caused the Frisco to bypass it in favor of Durant.<ref name=nrhpdoc>{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=07000517}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Durant Downtown Historic District |publisher=[[National Park Service]]|author= Kelli E. Gaston |date=February 14, 2007 |access-date=June 2, 2017}} With {{NRHP url|id=07000517|photos=y|title=33 photos}}.</ref><ref name=Museum>{{cite web|url= http://www.condrenrails.com/Frisco/Frisco-Museum-All-Aboards/AA1994.1-2.v9.1.pdf |title=Hope, AR|publisher=All Aboard, January–February, 1994, p.17-18, The Frisco Rail Museum, (accessed on CondrenRails.com)|accessdate=October 11, 2022}}</ref>

In 1904, Durant was named in a grand jury instruction as a [[sundown town]] where a notice had been posted warning African Americans not to stay after dark.<ref>{{cite news|title=Considers Conspiracy Law|work=The Wagoner Echo|location=Wagoner, Indian Territory|date=November 19, 1904|page=5|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29387086/|via=Newspapers.com|quote=Now in Durant and other towns in the Central District, and for that matter, in [[Holdenville, Oklahoma|Holdenville]], [[Ada, Oklahoma|Ada]] and other towns in the territory notices had been posted for the Negroes not to let the sun go down on them in said towns.}}</ref>

The Oklahoma Constitutional Convention selected Durant as the county seat for Bryan County, Oklahoma, which would supersede Blue County at statehood. In 1908, a special election ratified this choice over three other candidates for the honor: [[Bokchito, Oklahoma|Bokchito]], [[Blue, Oklahoma|Blue]], and Sterrett (later renamed [[Calera, Oklahoma|Calera]]).<ref name=nrhpdoc/>

Bryan County was created from Choctaw lands in 1907, the same time as statehood, and was named after [[William Jennings Bryan]]. Bryan was nominated three times for President of the United States and at the age of 36 lost to [[William McKinley]]. He lost to McKinley again in 1900, and to [[William H. Taft]] in 1908. [[Woodrow Wilson]] appointed the county's namesake as [[United States Secretary of State]] in 1913.

Eleven people were killed in Durant by a [[tornado]] in [[Tornado outbreak of April 1919|April 1919]].<ref name="NYT1919">{{Cite news| title = Tornado Kills 100 in Texas and Oklahoma; Hundreds Buried in Debris of Ruined Towns| newspaper=The New York Times| location = New York, New York| date = April 10, 1919| url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1919/04/10/96290223.pdf| access-date = May 8, 2010}}</ref>

The town's population grew from 2,969 in 1900 to 5,330 in 1910, 12,823 in 1990, and to 13,549 in 2000.<ref name="milligan"/>

The [[Durant Downtown Historic District]] is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].

== Lynching of John Lee ==
{{Main|Lynching of John Lee}}
John Lee was an African American man who was [[Lynching|lynched]] on August 12, 1911, in Durant, Oklahoma. He was subjected to a brutal act of mob violence, denial of judicial due process, and the desecration of his body posthumously. The event is a reflection of the racial tensions and injustices prevalent in the United States during the early 20th century.

The book ''[https://withoutsanctuary.org/pics_16.html Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in America]'' by Twin Palms Publishers includes a photo from Durant on August 13, 1911, of a group of townspeople burning the body of an African American man named John Lee.

The author of ''Without Sanctuary'' summarizes that, "According to the August 14 issue of the Durant Daily Democrat, Lee died at 11:15&nbsp;p.m. at the hands of a posse of 500. An additional 1,500 citizens were estimated to have been involved in the manhunt. Reports indicate that Lee exchanged gunfire with his would-be captors until his ammunition was spent. The posse "calmly emptied their guns into his body". Lee was accused of a range of crimes, the most serious of which was the critical wounding of a white woman, Mrs. Fanny Campbell. She identified the corpse as that of her assailant. Mrs. Campbell expired later the same day. The mob took John Lee's body to a vacant lot near the railroad tracks, where they built a pyre of gathered lumber and set the remains on fire. It burned from nine in the morning until late in the afternoon. All that remained were ashes and a "few charred parcels". Whites rioted throughout the town of Durant. The city's remaining blacks were warned "not to let the sun go down on them here". All left by sunset. Rumors spread that blacks were organizing to return and avenge Lee's death. Durant's white citizens armed for the coming "race war". In several days, without additional violence, tensions calmed.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://withoutsanctuary.org/pics_16.html | title=Without Sanctuary }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Allen |first=James |title=Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in America |publisher=Twin Palms Publishers |year=2021 |isbn=978-0944092699 |edition=15th}}</ref>

==Geography==
Durant is located in southeast Oklahoma, in a region named [[Texoma]], or Texomaland, because of its short distance from [[Lake Texoma]]. The city is also part of [[Kiamichi Country|Choctaw Country]], formerly [[Kiamichi Country]]. Its geographic coordinates are {{Coord|33|59|59|N|96|23|5|W|type:city}} (33.999834, −96.384825).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> It is approximately {{convert|14|mi}} north of the Texas border at the [[Red River of the South|Red River]]. [[Dallas]] is about {{convert|88|mi}} south of Durant. The north edge of the [[Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex]], in [[McKinney, Texas|McKinney]], is about {{convert|58|mi}} to the south.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city of Durant has a total area of {{convert|69.3|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|69.2|km2|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|0.2|km2|order=flip}}, or 0.24%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web |title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Durant city, Oklahoma |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US4022050 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212190647/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US4022050 |archive-date=February 12, 2020 |access-date=February 24, 2014 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder}}</ref>

===Climate===
{{Weather box
|location = Durant, Oklahoma
|single line = Y

|Jan record high F = 89
|Feb record high F = 93
|Mar record high F = 99
|Apr record high F = 97
|May record high F = 103
|Jun record high F = 107
|Jul record high F = 111
|Aug record high F = 118
|Sep record high F = 111
|Oct record high F = 100
|Nov record high F = 88
|Dec record high F = 87
|year record high F = 118
|Jan high F = 53
|Feb high F = 57
|Mar high F = 66
|Apr high F = 75
|May high F = 82
|Jun high F = 91
|Jul high F = 95
|Aug high F = 96
|Sep high F = 89
|Oct high F = 78
|Nov high F = 65
|Dec high F = 55
|year high F = 75
|Jan low F = 31
|Feb low F = 34
|Mar low F = 42
|Apr low F = 51
|May low F = 59
|Jun low F = 68
|Jul low F = 71
|Aug low F = 70
|Sep low F = 63
|Oct low F = 52
|Nov low F = 41
|Dec low F = 33
|year low F = 51
|Jan record low F = -6
|Feb record low F = -4
|Mar record low F = -7
|Apr record low F = 28
|May record low F = 33
|Jun record low F = 46
|Jul record low F = 52
|Aug record low F = 50
|Sep record low F = 34
|Oct record low F = 16
|Nov record low F = 9
|Dec record low F = 5
|year record low F = -6
|precipitation colour=green
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.2
|Feb precipitation inch = 2.7
|Mar precipitation inch = 2.9
|Apr precipitation inch = 4.5
|May precipitation inch = 5.4
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.8
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.2
|Aug precipitation inch = 2.8
|Sep precipitation inch = 3
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.8
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.6
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.6
|year precipitation inch = 39.5
|Jan snow inch = 1.2
|Feb snow inch = 0.8
|Mar snow inch = 0.3
|Apr snow inch = 0
|May snow inch = 0
|Jun snow inch = 0
|Jul snow inch = 0
|Aug snow inch = 0
|Sep snow inch = 0
|Oct snow inch = 0
|Nov snow inch = 0
|Dec snow inch = 0.4
|year snow inch = 2.7
|source 1 = weather.com
|source 2 = Weatherbase.com <ref>{{cite web
| url =http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=034837&refer=&units=us
| title = Historical Weather for Durant, Oklahoma, United States}}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1900= 2969
|1910= 5330
|1920= 7340
|1930= 7463
|1940= 10027
|1950= 10541
|1960= 10467
|1970= 11118
|1980= 11972
|1990= 12823
|2000= 13549
|2010= 15856
|2020= 18589
|footnote=Sources:<ref name="GR2" /><ref name="Census1910">{{cite web|title=Population-Oklahoma|url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/36894832v3ch3.pdf|work=U.S. Census 1910|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=22 November 2013}}</ref><ref name="Census1930">{{cite web|title=Population-Oklahoma|url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/03815512v1ch08.pdf|work=15th Census of the United States|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=27 November 2013}}</ref><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=22 November 2013 }}{{dead link|date=December 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=22 November 2013}}</ref><ref name="CensusPopEst">{{cite web|title=Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012.html|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=25 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611010502/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012.html|archive-date=11 June 2013 }}</ref>
}}

According to the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the racial composition of Durant was as follows:<ref>{{cite web |title=Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino By Race |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?t=Race%20and%20Ethnicity&g=1600000US4022050 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=June 3, 2022}}</ref>
* [[White American|White or European American]]: 60.5%
* [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]]: 10.3%
* [[Black (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]]: 2.4%
* [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Asian]]: 1.0%
* [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]]: 13.7%
* [[Pacific Islands American|Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander]]: 0.01%
* Other race: 0.01%
* [[Multiracial American|Two or more races]] (non-Hispanic): 11.9%

As of the census of 2010,<ref>[https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website], United States Census Bureau. (accessed September 2013)</ref> there were 15,856 people and 3,651 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|830|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 7,202 housing units. Nearly three fourths of the city's population (74.7%) self-identified as [[White (U.S. Census)|white]], 13.3% self-identified as [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], and 2.2% self-identified as black or [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]]. Less than a tenth of the population (7.1%) self-identified as [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]], regardless of race. Individuals of mixed Native American and white heritage accounted for 4.8% of the population. Less than 1% of the population was [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]] or [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]].

Durant's first census was recorded in 1900, and the population was 2,969. {{efn|When it was time for the 1890 U.S. census, Durant was considered as "too small to count."<ref name=nrhpdoc/>}} The 2000 census reported Durant's population as 13,549.

There were 6,331 households in the city, of which 26% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.3% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.3% were non-families. Individuals living alone accounted for 32.9% of households and 25.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22% under the age of 18, 18.6% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30.9 years. There were slightly more females (51.4% of the population) than males (48.6%).

The median income for a household in the city was $35,135, and the median income for a family was $41,014. Males working full-time had a median income of $34,040 versus $26,197 for female full-time workers. The per capita income for the city was $18,009. About 21% of families and 28% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35% of those under age 18 and 14% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
Durant was ranked as the fastest growing rural city in Oklahoma in 2004, having the fastest growth rate outside of the [[Oklahoma City]] and [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]] metropolitan areas.<ref>[http://www.durant.org/page/tourism Durant – Tourism] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002052203/http://www.durant.org/page/tourism |date=2013-10-02 }} (accessed September 28, 2013)</ref>

Durant's daytime population increases to approximately 20,000 people.{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}} The city has a pull factor of 1.8–2.1 times its population and was named an [[All-America City]] finalist for 2006.{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}}

Since 1999, the Durant Economic Development Department, the Durant Industrial Authority and the City of Durant have developed over $600,000,000 in new investments to the city.{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}}

Durant currently leads the state in economic development.{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}} One of the city's strongest industries is tourism; attractions include [[Lake Texoma]], the [[Choctaw Casino Resort]], and [[Fort Washita]].  [[Manufacturing]] and [[Distribution (business)|distribution]] are growing industries in Durant with several factories being constructed and planned.

[[File:new Choctaw Casino Resort.jpg|thumb|North building of Choctaw Casino Resort]]
[[File:Choctaw Nation Headquarters (08-20-2023).jpg|thumb|Choctaw Nation Headquarters]]
The largest employer in Durant is the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, including the Choctaw Nation Headquarters and the Choctaw Casino Resort, which has two Choctaw Travel Plazas, two Choctaw casinos, the Choctaw Inn, and more facilities that are located in the resort. Over 5,400 people work for the Choctaw Nation in Durant. Though the capital of the Choctaw Nation is recognized as being [[Tuskahoma, Oklahoma|Tuskahoma]], the administrative offices are located in Durant.

In 1894, [[Calvin Institute]], a school for Native American youths, was established in Durant. By 1899, it had attracted an enrollment of 300. It was renamed Durant Presbyterian College in 1900 and Oklahoma Presbyterian College in 1910. The support for the school came from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the federal government, and several denominational missionary boards. Because of financial difficulties, the school was closed as a learning institution in the late 1960s. Chief Clark David Gardner established the Choctaw Nation administrative offices at the old Oklahoma Presbyterian College Building in 1975.

In 1976, in cooperation with the Durant Chamber of Commerce and the owners of the buildings, the [[Red River Valley Historical Association]], title was transferred to the [[federal government of the United States|federal government]]. Ceremonies were held August 17, 1976, commemorating the title transfer. Reacquisition of this building allowed centralization of government which permits more effective utilization of personnel in administering current programs and developing future programs. The buildings has been renovated, and administration of many Choctaw programs are headquartered there.

Another important part of Durant's economy is the city's historic central business district and the retail district. In the past few years, downtown Durant has seen growth, renewal projects such as streetscaping, and new businesses arriving. Durant has a [[List of Main Street Programs in the United States|Main Street program]].<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.durantmainstreet.org/| title= Durant Main Street| publisher= DurantMainStreet.org | access-date=January 31, 2020}}</ref> The retail district is west of downtown, at the intersection of [[U.S. Route 69 (Oklahoma)|U.S. 69]]/[[U.S. Route 75 (Oklahoma)|75]] and [[U.S. Route 70 in Oklahoma|U.S. 70]], and is Durant's fastest growing area.

Cardinal Glass Industries has a [[float glass]] manufacturing facility in western Durant. It became operational in July 2004. This plant is number 20 for Cardinal Glass Industries.

[[Big Lots]] has a {{convert|1200000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}. distribution center in Durant that began operating in January 2004.

Durant is home to the headquarters of [[First United Bank]], one of the largest privately owned banks in the United States,{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}} and [[First Texoma National Bank]]. Indian Nation Wholesale, also headquartered in Durant, was the 15th largest [[wholesale]]r in the United States as of 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.csnews.com/csnews/images/pdf/top25wholesalers.pdf |title= CSNews &#124; ConvenienceStoreNews|website=www.csnews.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202013630/http://www.csnews.com/csnews/images/pdf/top25wholesalers.pdf |archive-date=February 2, 2015}}</ref>

==Arts and culture==
[[File:World's Largest Peanut Monument.jpg|thumb|right|upright|The large peanut in Durant]]

Durant is home to the annual Magnolia Festival and the [[Three Valley Museum]]. The festival is put on by the Durant Chamber of Commerce and Durant Main Street Program the weekend following [[Memorial Day]]. It features music, shopping, shows, and two pageants – the Magnolia Pageant and the Choctaw Princess Pageant.<ref name="magnoliafest">[http://www.magnoliafestival.com/information Magnolia Festival of Oklahoma] (accessed May 8, 2010).</ref>

The Oklahoma Legislature proclaimed Durant as the "Magnolia Capital of the World" in 1993. Every year since, the town has celebrated a Magnolia Festival during the weekend following Memorial Day.<ref name="milligan"/>

Durant has a "World's Largest Peanut" monument, a title it shares with two other monuments in Texas and [[Ashburn, Georgia]]. This monument to the [[peanut]] growers in Bryan County is located on the front lawn of Durant's city hall. Dedicated in 1973, it includes a [[time capsule]] that contains historic and legal documents, which was unearthed in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Durant unearths time capsule after 50 years |url=https://www.kten.com/story/49090120/durant-unearths-time-capsule-50-years-later |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=www.kten.com |language=en}}</ref>

The Three Valley Museum houses historical artifacts of Bryan County. Opened in 1976, it is named for a book about Durant, ''Queen of the Three Valleys'' by Henry McCreary, which references the city's location in the middle of the [[Red River of the South|Red]], [[Blue River (Oklahoma)|Blue River]], and [[Washita River]] valleys. The museum's exhibits include an early law office, doctor's office, child's room, parlor, and general store.

The Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival is housed on the campus of Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival is one of the top summer theatre festivals in America. It has made Durant and Southeastern Oklahoma State University a destination for tourists, professional and aspiring actors and theatre artisans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oklahomashakes.com|title=Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival}}</ref>

==Sports==
Although no major sports team is located in Durant, many sporting opportunities are found in the city, including the Durant Multi-Sports Complex, golf, soccer pitches, and baseball fields.

The Durant Multi-Sports Complex is an athletic facility located {{convert|2|mi|km|abbr=on}} southeast of Durant, on [[Oklahoma State Highway 78|Highway 78]]. The sports complex, dedicated on November 17, 2006, sits on {{convert|80|acres|ha}}, with {{convert|100|acres|ha}} undeveloped. It consists of [[baseball field|baseball]] and [[softball]] fields, [[soccer field|soccer pitches]], and a [[American football|football]] [[stadium]]/track field. A {{convert|17|acre|m2|adj=mid}} lake is under construction, and a [[walking trail|walking]] and biking trail is planned to be built around the lake. The cost of the complex was $7 million.

=== College athletics ===
Southeastern Oklahoma State University competes in [[NCAA Division II]] in the [[Great American Conference]]. The [[Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm|Savage Storm]] compete in the following sports: baseball, men's and women's basketball, football, men's and women's tennis, men's golf, rodeo, women's cross country, softball, women's track & field and women's volleyball. In 2000, the baseball team won the Division II college world series.

==Parks and recreation==
The City of Durant maintains and operates 11 parks totaling more than {{convert|251|acre|km2}}. They include:
* [[Durant Multi-Sports Complex]]
* Dixon Durant Park – formerly Northside Park, or Rocket Park, renamed in honor of the founder of Durant.
* [[Carl Albert]] Memorial Park & [[public pool]]
* Billy Miller Park
* Schuler Park
* Lake Durant

Less than {{convert|15|mi|0}} away, [[Lake Texoma]] has between 8–10&nbsp;million visitors every year and is the 12th largest lake in the United States, and also one of the largest reservoirs in the country, contributing to Durant's [[economic growth|economic]] and [[population growth]].

==Government==
Durant is governed by a [[council–manager government|council-manager]] form of municipal government. The [[city manager]] is the administrative leader of the government and is appointed by the [[city council]]. The city's ceremonial head is the [[mayor]], who is a voting member of the council with limited administrative power.

The current interim city manager is Rick Rumsey, who replaced Lisa Taylor in a council vote.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Durant City Council terminates city manager |url=https://www.kten.com/story/49076940/durant-terminates-city-manager |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=www.kten.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Durant names interim city manager |url=https://www.kten.com/story/49141097/durant-names-interim-city-manager |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=www.kten.com |language=en}}</ref> The current mayor is Martin Tucker.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Council members, citizens meet in Durant |url=https://www.kten.com/story/48698321/new-council-members-citizens-meet-in-durant |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=www.kten.com |language=en}}</ref> The city is divided into four wards with a member of the city council from each. There is also an at-large city council member. The current mayor also represents Ward 1.<ref>[http://www.durant.org/ City of Durant] . Retrieved September 26, 2017.</ref>

==Education==

===Higher===
{{Main|Southeastern Oklahoma State University}}
Durant is home to [[Southeastern Oklahoma State University]], which has about 5,200 enrolled students. It is the only university in Oklahoma to offer a Master of Science in Aviation and Space. Southeastern Oklahoma State University offers degrees through its Aviation Sciences Institute, the largest aviation program in the state. The main campus in Durant has facilities at the airport to support flight training and facilities on campus to facilitate the management options in business, maintenance, safety, and security. The institute offers the undergraduate management degrees as well as the Master of Science degree in Aerospace Administration & Logistics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bestaviation.net/school/southeastern_oklahoma_state_university/|title=Southeastern Oklahoma State University|work=bestaviation.net}}</ref>

Southeastern Oklahoma State University also offers a doctoral degree, Ed.D., in Applied Educational Studies with the Aviation and Space Science specialization and a Graduate Certificate in Aviation Security.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://education.okstate.edu/index.php/academic-units/school-of-educational-studies/space-and-aviation |title=WELCOME TO OSU AVIATION & SPACE! |access-date=2011-11-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114071305/http://education.okstate.edu/index.php/academic-units/school-of-educational-studies/space-and-aviation |archive-date=2011-11-14 }}</ref>

===Career and technical===
Durant is home to the [[Kiamichi Technology Center]], which has eight other locations in [[southeastern Oklahoma]]. Kiamichi is part of the [[Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education]].

===Elementary and secondary===
{{See also|Durant Independent School District}}
The [[Durant Independent School District]] is the largest school district in southeastern Oklahoma and serves approximately 3,100 students.<ref name="edcomdurant">[http://www.education.com/schoolfinder/us/oklahoma/district/durant-school-district/ Durant School District], [http://www.education.com/ Education.com] . Retrieved June 9, 2010.</ref> The district includes six schools and includes [[preschool]], primary and secondary education.

The region is also home to the Silo School District, which includes three schools and serves approximately 680 students,<ref>[http://www.education.com/schoolfinder/us/oklahoma/district/silo-school-district/ Silo School District], Education.com . Retrieved June 9, 2010.</ref> and to one of two schools in the Rock Creek School District.<ref>[http://www.education.com/schoolfinder/us/oklahoma/durant/rock-creek-elementary-school/ Rock Creek Elementary School], Education.com . Retrieved June 9, 2010.</ref>

The city has a private [[K-12]] school, Victory Life Academy, which has an enrollment of about 250 students.<ref>[http://www.education.com/schoolfinder/us/oklahoma/durant/victory-life-academy/ Victory Life Academy], Education.com . Retrieved June 9, 2010.</ref>

==Media==
{{tone|section|date=October 2023}}
Durant is served by a newspaper, ''[[Durant Democrat|The Durant Democrat]]'', formerly The Durant Daily Democrat, which publishes three days each week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The Democrat was purchased by Graystone Media Group LLC, a group of local businessmen, in 2018. Graystone Media has also started monthly publications in Kingston, OK and Calera, OK. There are no television studios are located in the city, but it receives over the air reception from the Sherman-Ada DMA, which happens to have studios in [[Sherman, Texas|Sherman]] and [[Denison, Texas]], with branch studios in [[Ardmore, Oklahoma]]. The city has an independent cable television and Internet provider called Vyve. On August 26, 2016, Ryan Nazari, an [[Oklahoma City Thunder]] fan, created a petition to change the city's name to "[[Russell Westbrook|Westbrook]]" because [[Kevin Durant]] left the team for the [[Golden State Warriors]] that received 1,999 supporters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/people-in-oklahoma-are-petitioning-to-change-a-citys-name-from-durant-to-westbrook-news.23725.html?|title=People In Oklahoma Are Petitioning To Change A City's Name From "Durant" To "Westbrook"|website=HNHH|date=26 August 2016}}</ref>

The city receives the following stations:
* [[KTEN]] Channel 10 – (NBC)
* KTEN DT Channel 10.2 – (The CW Texoma)
* [[KXII]] Channel 12 – (CBS)
* KXII DT Channel 12.2 (My Texoma)
* KXII DT Channel 12.3 (Fox Texoma)
* A low-power translator of OETA and its subchannels

[[Public-access television]] cable television stations include:
* Durant Public Schools 24-hour station which usually only airs slide shows
* A local classified advertisements with [[KLBC]] playing
* Duane Sheriff Ministries
* FBC-TV, which relays FamilyNet and Worship when there are not local church broadcasts
* A [[NEXRAD]] station

The city receives the following radio stations:
* [[KSEO]], AM 750/FM 94.1, Oldies/Classic Hits
* [[KLBC]], 106.3 FM, "Today's Best Country"
* [[KBBC (FM)|KBBC]]. 99.7, "The Buzz" – Hot AC
* [[KSSU (FM)|KSSU]], "POWER 92", a SOSU station aimed at college students
*[[KZRC]], 96.1 "Mix 96" – Hot AC, The home Southeastern Oklahoma State Athletics, Pottsboro Cardinal Football, and Kingston Athletics. Won OAB "Best Video Broadcast Award" 2020 for Southeastern Oklahoma State Football Broadcast.

==Infrastructure==
[[File:Durant OK tower.png|thumb|right|upright|Durant water tower]]

===Roads and highways===
[[File:durant hwy 69 75.jpg|thumb|Northbound Highway 69/75 in Durant]]

[[U.S. Route 69 in Oklahoma|US 69]]/[[U.S. Route 75 in Oklahoma|US 75]] – A north-south four-lane [[divided highway]] and freeway. US 69/75 enters Oklahoma as a freeway from the [[Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex|Dallas]] area. It then downgrades to a divided four-lane highway just north of [[Colbert, Oklahoma|Colbert]]. The highway then enters Durant from the south. After its [[at-grade intersection]] with Choctaw Road, it again upgrades to a freeway, passing through western and northern Durant, and again downgrades to a four-lane divided highway at the Bryan-[[Atoka County, Oklahoma|Atoka County]] line.

[[U.S. Route 70 in Oklahoma|US 70]] – An east–west route. Highway 70 enters Durant from the east as a two-lane highway as Mulberry Street, crossing a [[Union Pacific]] railroad via a bridge. It then heads southward toward downtown on First Avenue as a 3-lane, concurrent with SH 78 and Business Routes 69/75. Downtown it has an intersection with Main Street, then continues its route westward on West Main Street concurrent with Business Routes 69/75. Just west of downtown it turns into a three-lane street, and after its intersection with 9th Avenue it converts into a 5-lane street. At Washington Avenue it downgrades to a two-lane again while it travels through West End Heights, a [[historic district|historic]] and upscale neighborhood. At 21st Avenue it turns into a divided four-lane highway in the Retail District, intersecting with 69/75 as a [[parclo interchange]]. Highway 70 continues westward toward [[Mead, Oklahoma|Mead]] and [[Lake Texoma]] as a 5-lane highway.

[[Oklahoma State Highway 78|SH 78]] – A north–south route. SH 78 enters Durant from the south as Southeast 3rd Avenue and as a two-lane. It comes to an intersection with East Main Street and turns westward toward downtown continuing its route. At the intersection of Main and First Avenue, the highway turns northward onto First Avenue as a 3-lane street, concurrent with Highway 70 and Business Routes 69/75. It continues northward to University Boulevard and turns into a two-lane highway. Just before its intersection with 69/75 (via ramps), SH 78 turns into a divided four-lane highway for a short time and then turns into a two-lane highway again, exiting the city.

[[Intercity bus service]] is provided by [[Greyhound Lines]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-stations-in-oklahoma| title=Greyhound Bus Stations in Oklahoma|publisher=Greyhound|access-date=January 10, 2021}}</ref>

In a 2006 study by the [[Oklahoma Department of Transportation]], an average of about 19,100 vehicles pass Durant's Main Street on [[U.S. Route 69|U.S. 69]]/[[U.S. Route 75|75]] every day. Approximately 19,000 vehicles pass under 69/75 on Main Street daily.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/aadtcnt/map.aspx?map=Bryan%20County/Durant&year=2006|title=Oklahoma Traffic Count Information System|work=state.ok.us|access-date=2017-07-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201191256/http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/aadtcnt/map.aspx?map=Bryan%20County%2FDurant&year=2006|archive-date=2015-02-01|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The major streets are First Avenue, Southeast 3rd Avenue, South 9th Avenue, Washington Avenue, Radio Road, University Place, 49th Avenue, Choctaw Road, Rodeo Road, West Main Street, East Main Street, University Boulevard, Chuckwa Street, Gail Farrell Drive, and Mockingbird Lane.

There are four exits in Durant from U.S. 69/75, at First Avenue, Washington Avenue, University/Chuckwa (the exit off northbound 69/75 is the only one complete), and Main Street. There are also [[traffic light]]s at the intersection of U.S. 69/75 and Choctaw Road south of Durant, where the Choctaw Casino Resort is located.

===Airports===
[[Durant Regional Airport – Eaker Field]], the city's airport, and home to [[Southeastern Oklahoma State University]]'s Aviation Sciences Institute, was a [[U.S. Navy]] auxiliary airfield during World War II. It is named after U.S. Army Air Force General [[Ira C. Eaker]], early commander of the legendary [[Eighth Air Force]] in wartime England, who graduated from the university (then known as Southeastern State Teacher's College) in 1917.

The closest [[international airport]]s to Durant are [[Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport]] and [[Will Rogers World Airport]] in [[Oklahoma City]].

===Rail===
Durant is a major railroad center. The giant [[Union Pacific Railroad]] and the short-line [[Kiamichi Railroad]] intersect in downtown.

===Utilities===
Durant is served by a city-owned water plant and sewage treatment center. Residents receive electricity from OG&E and Southeastern Electric Co-op.

===Healthcare===
Durant is served by [[AllianceHealth Durant]], which was formerly the Medical Center of Southeastern Oklahoma.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-07-27|title=Medical Center of Southeastern Oklahoma is Now Part of AllianceHealth…|url=https://www.alliancehealthdurant.com/content/medical-center-southeastern-oklahoma-now-part-alliancehealth-oklahoma-new-statewide-health-n|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170727200717/https://www.alliancehealthdurant.com/content/medical-center-southeastern-oklahoma-now-part-alliancehealth-oklahoma-new-statewide-health-n|url-status=dead|archive-date=2017-07-27|access-date=2021-11-12|website=archive.md}}</ref> Built in 1987, the medical center replaced the Bryan Memorial Hospital.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

Emergency Medical Services are provided by Bryan County EMS.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bcems.net|title=Bryan County EMS|website=www.bcems.net}}</ref>

==Notable people==<!-- PLEASE RESPECT ALPHABETICAL ORDER -->
{{See also|Southeastern Oklahoma State University#Notable alumni|l1=List of Southeastern Oklahoma State University notable people}} <!-- Please put college students in this list instead of the city article -->
* [[Henry G. Bennett]], longest-serving president of [[Oklahoma State University]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Encyclopedia of Arkansas |url=https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/henry-garland-bennett-9063/ |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=Encyclopedia of Arkansas |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[David Bullard (politician)|David Bullard]], Oklahoma state senator, attended [[Southeastern Oklahoma State University]]
* [[Brett Butler (baseball)|Brett Butler]], professional baseball player, attended [[Southeastern Oklahoma State University]]
* [[Mike Christian (politician)|Mike Christian]], state representative, attended [[University of Oklahoma]]
* [[Joe Dobson]], Major League Baseball pitcher, 1948 American League [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]], inducted in [[Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame]]
* [[Gail Farrell]], cast member of ''[[The Lawrence Welk Show]]''; Gail Farrell Drive, avenue located on the far north side of the city, named in her honor in the mid-1970s
* [[Ralph Faudree]], mathematician and provost of the [[University of Memphis]]
* [[Billie Letts]], author
* [[Tracy Letts]], playwright and actor
* [[Reba McEntire]], recording artist, Grammy Award-winning singer and actress, attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University
* [[Kirby Minter]], retired basketball player, played for Team USA in [[1954 FIBA World Championship]] in [[Rio de Janeiro]] 
* [[Dennis Rodman]], professional basketball player, attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University
* [[Uldine Utley]], a child preacher born in Durant, who, at age 14, ministered to a crowd of 14,000 people at [[Madison Square Garden]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Blumhofer |first=Edith Waldvogel |title=Aimee Semple McPherson: Everybody's Sister |title-link= |publisher=Eerdmans |year=1993 |edition=9780802801555 |pages=182}}</ref>
* [[Robert L. Williams]], first Chief Justice of Oklahoma Supreme Court, third [[Governor of Oklahoma]], U.S. district and appellate judge

==Popular culture references==
*''[[The Wendell Baker Story]]'' – A reference is made in the 2005 film to Neil King ([[Owen Wilson]])'s mother living "nine miles due south of Durant, Oklahoma."<ref>{{cite web|title=The Wendell Baker Story – IMDb|website = [[IMDb]]|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0373445/trivia?ref_=tt_ql_2}}</ref> 
*''[[All About Steve]]'' – In the 2009 film, [[Sandra Bullock]]'s character, Mary Horowitz, tells her friends "...if I had a car, I could drive through Durant, Oklahoma, where they have the world's largest peanut."
*''[[On the Road with Austin & Santino]]'' – Durant was prominently featured in the 2010 episode "Wedding Knots", as the two designers created a wedding dress for a local woman. Local businesses visited include the [[Choctaw Casino Resort]], Bliss Boutique, and Doylene's Fabric Outlet.<ref>{{cite web| title=On the Road with Austin & Santino – IMDb| website=[[IMDb]]| url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1751290/}}</ref> 
*''[[Criminal Minds]]'' – In the 2011 episode "Proof," the team of investigators are led to a case in Durant involving two young women who were found murdered and sexually assaulted.<ref>{{cite web| title=Criminal Minds: Proof – IMDb| url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1990405/| publisher=IMDb}}</ref>  While set in Durant, the production never actually filmed any material there. Many locals were critical of the show and its unrealistic portrayal of the city.
*''[[Bonnie & Clyde (2013 miniseries)|Bonnie & Clyde]]'' – In this 2013 mini-series, Durant, Oklahoma is referenced in a newspaper article that appears on screen. It reads "Barrow Gang spotted in Durant, Oklahoma," with a sub-headline reading "Three Businesses Robbed At Gunpoint. Outlaws wanted in multiple states." True to the mini-series' inspiration, this was based upon true events.
* The Small Business Revolution - Durant saw an exciting end to 2018 and subsequent beginning to 2019 with a spot in competition to be the location for filming of Season 4 of The Small Business Revolution, a television show produced by [[Deluxe Corporation]] for distribution on [[Hulu]] and [[YouTube]]. The town applied to be considered in August 2018. The announcement was made in November that Durant was included as a finalist in a list of Top 20. The following month, Durant made the top 10. In January, the producers, along with host, Amanda Brinkman, visited the community for a welcome rally and to visit with small business owners who had applied to appear on the show, should Durant win the competition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://smallbusinessrevolution.org/small-business-revolution/blog/2019/02/04/best-top-10-tour-yet/|title=Best Top 10 Tour Yet?|date=2019-02-04|website=Small Business Revolution|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://smallbusinessrevolution.org/small-business-revolution/blog/2019/04/29/networking-yields-big-benefits-to-small-businesses/|title=Networking Yields Big Benefits to Small Businesses|date=2019-04-29|website=Small Business Revolution|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-13}}</ref> In a live web announcement on February 12, Brinkman, along with co-host [[Ty Pennington]], announced that there had been a slight change in the competition, with 6 finalists, rather than 5, proceeding to the final weeklong public vote. As a part of the campaign for votes, Durant garnered shout outs from [[Reba McEntire]], [[Blake Shelton]], and [[Barry Switzer]], among others. During the weeklong public vote, the show made three announcements as to where the votes stood, with Durant in first place as of the final update. At the conclusion of voting, with a week to go before the announcement of the winning town, Durant went to work planning for the #MyDurant party, where Brinkman would appear if Durant should win. Ultimately, [[Searcy, Arkansas]] was announced as the winner. The competition gave the city a boost in morale and saw the city work together toward the goal of winning the show. Despite it all, Durant was featured in several blogs published by the production.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://smallbusinessrevolution.org/small-business-revolution/blog/2019/06/24/bubbas-brewhouse-bringing-music-to-a-small-town/|title=Bubba's Brewhouse: Bringing Music to a Small Town|date=2019-06-24|website=Small Business Revolution|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://smallbusinessrevolution.org/small-business-revolution/blog/2019/01/30/cobblestone-outfitters-a-family-affair/|title=Cobblestone Outfitters at the Old Ice House: a Family Affair|date=2019-01-30|website=Small Business Revolution|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-13}}</ref>

== Other distinctions ==
Durant has had the honor to be recognized on a national scale on various occasions, regarding famous visitations or other attention. An example of this is as follows:

[[File:(President Theodore Roosevelt Speaking from a Railroad Observation Car) (15013237379).jpg|thumb|right|upright|President Theodore Roosevelt addressed the community from the back of his train car on April 5, 1905.]]

* On April 5, 1905, President [[Theodore Roosevelt]] arrived in Durant on a train, and gave a speech, using the rear of the train as his platform.<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://id.lib.harvard.edu/via/olvwork519300/catalog |title=Theodore Roosevelt Collection photographs: presidency—second term, 1905.; Hollis Images; Harvard University|website=images.hollis.harvard.edu|access-date=2018-02-21}}</ref> He later revisited the community in 1910, staying in the downtown Bryan Hotel, while on a hunting trip in the area.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://newsok.com/article/2427848|title=Durant Hotel Could Become Home for Low-Income Families|date=1993-04-19|work=NewsOK.com|access-date=2017-04-09|language=en-US}}</ref>
* First Lady [[Eleanor Roosevelt]] visited the community, speaking on March 20, 1937, for Senior Day at [[Southeastern Oklahoma State University|Southeastern Teachers College]], as it was known at the time. She spoke at the invitation of the president of the college, [[Kate Galt Zaneis]]. Mrs. Roosevelt noted in her diary, "I spoke to a packed auditorium of young people, who proved to be a remarkably good audience." As Mrs. Roosevelt stepped up to speak, the orchestra played "Let Me Call You Sweetheart." Mrs. Zaneis said the song was chosen because Mrs. Roosevelt was loved so much.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Kate Galt Zaneis: First Lady of Education in Oklahoma|last=Beach|first=Linda Arlene|year=1976|url=http://carmine.se.edu/digitized-annuals/E-books/KateGaltZaneisthesis.pdf|pages=30–31|access-date=2017-04-09|archive-date=2017-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410213714/http://carmine.se.edu/digitized-annuals/E-books/KateGaltZaneisthesis.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Mrs. Roosevelt received around 2300 people that afternoon. She notes "I rarely do this, but it is also rare for a woman to be a president of a college where there are both men and women students." She also wrote that upon boarding the train to leave town, some of the students waiting at the depot assisted her in loading fifty-four boxes of flowers as gifts to her onto the train.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.gwu.edu/~erpapers/myday/displaydoc.cfm?_y=1937&_f=md054596c|title=My Day, March 20, 1937|last=Roosevelt|first= Eleanor|editor-last=Black|editor-first=Allida M.|date=2007-06-04|website=www2.gwu.edu|access-date=2017-04-09|editor-last2=Binker|editor-first2= Mary Jo |editor-last3=Alhambra|editor-first3= Christopher C. }}</ref>
* In 1953, actor [[José Ferrer]] and actress/singer [[Rosemary Clooney]] were married in Durant while Jose was performing in the musical ''[[Kiss Me, Kate]]'' in [[Dallas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1915&dat=19530714&id=N-8gAAAAIBAJ&pg=5074,2039063|title=The Day – Google News Archive Search|work=google.com}}</ref>
*According to papers from the FBI released during the drop of Kennedy documents released in 2017, [[Jack Ruby]] went to Durant to look at purchasing a motel just north of town in 1960. He was accompanied by Roy Kimes and Joe Russell Wyatt to area, dropping off Wyatt in [[Colbert, Oklahoma|Colbert]] and subsequently picking him up on the way back to [[Farmersville, Texas|Farmersville]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 15, 1964|title=Record Number 124-10110-10268|url=https://www.archives.gov/files/research/jfk/releases/docid-32279864.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=June 4, 2021|website=National Archives|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027031145/https://www.archives.gov/files/research/jfk/releases/docid-32279864.pdf |archive-date=2017-10-27 }}</ref>
*On June 2, 1965, less than two years after her [[Lee Harvey Oswald|former husband]] was believed to have shot President [[John F. Kennedy|John F Kennedy]] (and was subsequently shot himself), [[Marina Oswald Porter|Marina Oswald]] and fiancé Kenneth Porter, came to Durant to get married due to the blood testing laws of the time. They arrived early in the day to take the blood tests, but were told to return at 2pm for the results. They ate lunch and drove out to [[Lake Texoma]] to pass time before 2 pm. By the time 2pm came around, the media had caught up to them and they fled to [[Sherman, Texas]] to avoid the attention. They were eventually married that evening in [[Fate, Texas]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=June 2, 1965|title=Crowd Here Spooks Marina Oswald - She takes her Hubby-to-Be to Texas for Wedding|work=Durant Daily Democrat}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Peterson|first=Bob|date=June 2, 1965|title=Keeping in Step|work=Durant Daily Democrat}}</ref>
* On July 15, 2015, President [[Barack Obama]] visited the city to address the nation from Durant High School on his "Promised Zone" initiative.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://durantdemocrat.com/top-stories/480/president-obama-will-address-the-nation-from-durant-high-school-on-wednesday|title=President Obama will address the nation from Durant High School on Wednesday|access-date=2017-04-09|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410051240/http://durantdemocrat.com/top-stories/480/president-obama-will-address-the-nation-from-durant-high-school-on-wednesday|archive-date=2017-04-10|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2014, the President designated five areas in the United States as Promised Zones, including the [[Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma]]. The other areas designated were Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Antonio, and Southeastern Kentucky. The initiative was "designed to create jobs and increase economic security by partnering local communities with business." While speaking, he also introduced his ConnectHome initiative, which is designed to open up greater access to the internet for low income households.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kfor.com/2015/07/15/president-obama-to-make-big-announcement-in-oklahoma/|title=President Obama arrives in Oklahoma for two-day visit|date=2015-07-15|website=KFOR.com|access-date=2017-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kfor.com/2014/01/09/pres-obama-to-announce-5-anti-poverty-zones-including-one-in-oklahoma/|title=Pres. Obama to announce 5 "Anti-Poverty Zones" including one in Oklahoma|date=2014-01-09|website=KFOR.com|access-date=2017-04-09}}</ref>
* In August 2016, Durant found itself at the unlikely center of controversy after an online petition was created by a citizen of [[Edmond, Oklahoma]], Ryan Nazari, suggesting that Durant should be forced to change its name to Westbrook in honor of [[Russell Westbrook]], after [[Kevin Durant]]'s unpopular departure from the [[Oklahoma City Thunder]]. "Ladies and gentleman, the great state of Oklahoma has been betrayed...It is because of this heinous action that I believe the State of Oklahoma has a responsibility to change the name of the City of Durant to Westbrook, the man who is loyal, whom we believe in, and who will lead our team to glory. Yes, it is understood that the city Durant was not named after the evil Kevin Durant, but it is just another hideous reminder of what happened," Nazari's petition read. Neither the creator of the petition, nor Kevin Durant had ever visited the community. The news surrounding the petition led to an article by [[ESPN]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/17393678/thunder-fan-petitions-name-oklahoma-town-changed-durant-westbrook|title=Thunder fan petitions to have name of Oklahoma town changed from Durant to Westbrook|work=ESPN.com|access-date=2017-04-09}}</ref> and later by [[The New York Times]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/08/sports/basketball/kevin-durant-oklahoma-golden-state-warriors.html|title=Kevin Durant Is Gone. Durant, Okla., Is Sad.|last=Cacciola|first=Scott|date=2017-02-08|work=The New York Times|access-date=2017-04-09|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
* In December 2016, Durant gained national attention again. ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' published a light-hearted article regarding the Durant Fire Department's annual Christmas Card. The department had experienced the birth of six babies during the year and decided to feature them in their annual Christmas card. "If you ask many of the fire fighters in Durant, OK what defines them; they will say brotherhood and family. That is why when this small paid department of 33 looked back on the year and saw that 6 of their brothers had newborn babies, it was time to show the public what was at the core of their department."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://people.com/human-interest/oklahoma-fire-department-creates-cutest-christmas-card-ever-with-squad-of-tiny-firefighters/|title=Oklahoma Fire Department Creates Cutest Christmas Card Ever with Squad of Tiny Firefighters|date=2016-12-22|work=PEOPLE.com|access-date=2017-04-09|language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of sundown towns in the United States]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
* {{Cite journal| last = Foreman| first = Grant| title = Early Post Offices of Oklahoma| journal = The Chronicles of Oklahoma| volume = 6| issue = 1| date = March 1928| url = http://digital.library.okstate.edu/Chronicles/v006/v006p004.html| access-date = September 4, 2010| archive-date = March 5, 2010| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100305094212/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/Chronicles/v006/v006p004.html| url-status = dead}}
* {{Cite journal| last = Phipps| first = B. L.| title = First Exploration of the Headwaters of Red River| journal=The Chronicles of Oklahoma| volume = 7| issue = 2| date = June 1929| url = http://digital.library.okstate.edu/chronicles/v007/v007p180.html| access-date = May 8, 2010}}
* {{Cite book| last = Shirk| first = George| title = Oklahoma Place Names| publisher=University of Oklahoma Press| year = 1987| location = Norman, Oklahoma| pages =74, 268| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=KpAmsIFdutAC| isbn = 978-0-8061-2028-7}}

==Further reading==
* Blaisdell, Lowell L. "Anatomy of an Oklahoma Lynching: Bryan County, August 12–13, 1911," ''The Chronicles of Oklahoma'' 79 (Fall 2001).
* MacCreary, Henry.  ''A Story of Durant: "Queen of Three Valleys"'' (Durant, Okla.: Democrat Printing Co., 1946).
* Milligan, James C., Norris, L. David, and Vanmeter, Ann.  ''Durant, 1872–1990'' (Durant, Okla.: Bryan County Heritage Association Inc., 1990).
* Norris, L. David.  ''Southeastern Oklahoma State University Since 1909'', Vol. 1 (Durant, Okla.: Mesa Publishing Co., 1986).

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.imaginedurant.org Imagine Durant]
* [http://www.durant.org/ City of Durant]
* [http://www.durantchamber.org/ Durant Area Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.durantdemocrat.com/ ''Durant Daily Democrat'']
* [http://www.ok-durant.org/ Durant Economic Development]
* [http://www.city-data.com/city/Durant-Oklahoma.html "Durant, Oklahoma"] at City-data.com
* [http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=DU010 Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture – Durant]
* [https://archive.today/20130122100226/http://www.enidnews.com/localnews/local_story_140005125.html Durant leading the state in economic development]

{{Bryan County, Oklahoma}}

{{Oklahoma county seats}}
{{NRHP in Bryan County, Oklahoma}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Cities in Bryan County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Cities in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:County seats in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Micropolitan areas of Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Sundown towns in Oklahoma]]