Editing Gage, Oklahoma

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Gage, Oklahoma
|settlement_type          = [[Town]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Gage, Oklahoma, Artesian Beach Park.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Artesian Beach Park in Gage
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = OKMap-doton-Gage.PNG
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Gage, Oklahoma
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             =

<!-- 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        = [[Ellis County, Oklahoma|Ellis]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|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_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 1.11
|area_land_km2            = 1.11
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi         = 0.43
|area_land_sq_mi          = 0.43
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 433
|population_density_km2   = 391.56
|population_density_sq_mi = 1014.05

<!-- 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_ft             = 2142
|coordinates              = {{coord|36|19|05|N|99|45|27|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 73843
|area_code                = [[Area code 580|580]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 40-28250<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 |df= }}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2412665<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2412665}}</ref>
|website                  = 
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
}}

'''Gage''' is a town in [[Ellis County, Oklahoma|Ellis County]], [[Oklahoma]], United States. The population was 433 at the time of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.census.gov/search-results.html?searchType=web&cssp=SERP&q=Gage%20town,%20Oklahoma|title=Gage (town), Oklahoma|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=August 29, 2023}}</ref>

==History==
Located in the central part of Ellis County on [[Oklahoma State Highway 46|SH-46]], thirteen miles north of the county seat, [[Arnett, Oklahoma|Arnett]], and on [[Oklahoma State Highway 15|SH-15]], twenty-one miles southwest of [[Woodward, Oklahoma|Woodward]], Gage developed primarily because of transportation access. The military road from [[Fort Supply (Oklahoma)|Fort Supply]] to [[Fort Elliott]]/[[Mobeetie, Texas]], passed near the future town, and two miles to the northwest a stage stop existed at the confluence of Little Wolf Creek and [[Wolf Creek (Texas and Oklahoma)|Wolf Creek]]. In 1887 the Southern Kansas Railway (later part of the [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway]]) had constructed a line across northwestern Oklahoma from Kansas to the [[Texas Panhandle]]. A station called Gage, named for Chicago railroad financier [[Lyman J. Gage]], was established in July near Wolf Creek. Once the domain of various Plains Indian groups, by that time this region had become part of the [[Cherokee Outlet]], opened to settlement by a [[Land Run of 1893|land run in September 1893]].

After that, Woodward County included the site of future Gage. A year after the run several settlers, including John Barr and Frederick D. Webster, took up land near the railroad stop. A post office was designated in February 1895, with Webster as postmaster. By 1898 the community was big enough to support a half dozen stores, a hotel, and a sawmill. In 1901 activity surrounding the opening of the Kiowa-Comanche-Apache lands, to the south, attracted new people to the town and farmers to purchase land nearby. The town's residents voted to incorporate a six-block area in May 1904. Eighteen months later, anti-liquor campaigner and [[Guthrie, Oklahoma|Guthrie]] resident [[Carrie Nation]], on one of her lecture tours through Oklahoma Territory, made a brief visit to Gage's saloons and met a cold reception. In 1907, when Ellis County was created, taking in this part of Woodward County, Gage's 1907 population stood at 755 and in 1910 at 924, the all-time peak.

The growing community served as a cattle and [[grain trade|grain shipping]] point for the surrounding area. Prosperity in the first decade after incorporation attracted two banks, five lumberyards, and more than two dozen retail establishments. Two cotton gins, a roller mill, and three elevators served farmers. The Brennecke Metal Manufacturing Company made water and stock tanks. A theater and the Wolf Valley Cornet Band provided entertainment. Travelers patronized three hotels and five restaurants. Residents could attend any one of three churches, and children attended a large school building.

Like most rural centers, Gage suffered a decline in the World War I years, but the ideally located railroad town remained viable, as it was some distance from towns of any size. Newspapers serving the residents have included the Ellis County Advocate, the Ellis County Republican, the Gage Banner, and the Gage Record, with the latter continuing in existence at the end of the twentieth century. In 1920 the town had 804 inhabitants

Because of the flat terrain and good weather, the U.S. Army maintained a 720-acre bomber-pilot training field outside Gage during World War II. In the 1940s and 1950s Gage supported two dozen retail stores, gasoline stations, and other commercial establishments. The 1940 census recorded 684 inhabitants, and the 1960 census, 482.

After paved highways allowed commuting to jobs in Woodward and [[Shattuck, Oklahoma|Shattuck]], Gage's population rose to 536 and 667 in 1970 and 1980, respectively. The Bank of Gage, a turn-of-the-century two-story brick building on Main Street, is on the [[National Register of Historic Places in Ellis County, Oklahoma]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/83004169 |title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form|publisher=National Park Service|accessdate=October 22, 2021}}</ref>  Ranching and farming are still the community's economic mainstay. [[Gage Airport]] is still operating, based around the former military runways. In 1904 the [[National Weather Service]] established a regional climate station at Gage, and the station served the Civil Aviation Authority/FAA at [[Gage Airport]] from 1939. The FAA portion of the facility moved to [[McAlester, Oklahoma|McAlester]] in the 1990s, but the weather service maintained an unmanned station at the Gage location, which by 2004 had been gathering weather data for a century. After declining to 473 in 1990, Gage finished the twentieth century with a population of 429.
Gage Public Schools consolidated with [[Fargo, Oklahoma|Fargo]] Public Schools in the summer of 2016.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Board of Education |first1= |title=Gage Patrons |url=https://www.gage.k12.ok.us/GagePatrons.pdf |website=Gage Public Schools |publisher=Gage Public Schools |access-date=April 29, 2016}}</ref> The issue was hotly debated, with many parents still opting to take their children to the town of Shattuck due to the closer distance and more educational offerings. The local rivalry between "Tiger" and "Bearcat" residents still exists today.
Gage was home to the Oklahoma State Championship marathon known as Gage Roadrunner marathon from 1970 - 1996 and was held Memorial Day Weekend.  It was the first marathon ran in Oklahoma.<ref>https://arrs.run/HP_GagMa.htm</ref>
==Geography==
Gage is located on the southern bank of [[Wolf Creek (Oklahoma)|Wolf Creek]], an intermittent spring-fed tributary of the [[Beaver River (Oklahoma)|Beaver River]] (also known as the [[North Canadian River]]).  Wolf Creek extends {{convert|40|mi|km}} through [[Ochiltree County, Texas|Ochiltree]] and [[Lipscomb County, Texas|Lipscomb]] counties of the [[Texas Panhandle]] and {{convert|52|mi|km}} through [[Ellis County, Oklahoma|Ellis]] and [[Woodward County, Oklahoma|Woodward]] counties in Oklahoma.  The stream generally runs from the southwest to the northeast and thereby defines the primary orientation of the [[BNSF Railway]] and [[Oklahoma State Highway 15]], both of which run through Gage and stretch from [[Shattuck, Oklahoma|Shattuck]] to [[Woodward, Oklahoma|Woodward]].

===Artesian Beach Park===
Gage is home to Artesian Beach Park (locally known as Gage Beach) ({{coord|36.32139|-99.74194|display=inline}}).  This park contains a clear, spring-fed or [[Artesian aquifer|artesian lake]] approximately the size of five football fields and it hosts what is claimed to be Oklahoma's largest outdoor swimming pool. The natural swimming area has cement sides like a pool and a sandy, lake-like bottom.<ref name=TravelOK>{{cite web|url = http://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.21709|title = Gage Artesian Beach|author = Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department|work = Explore Oklahoma|accessdate = May 5, 2013}}</ref> The water depth ranges from {{convert|3|to|14|ft}} and the natural pool is home to a few fish.<ref name=TravelOK/>  The artesian lake is said to have formed in 1917 when petroleum exploration first came to the area.<ref name=newsOK>{{cite web|url = http://newsok.com/article/2402623|title=Gage's Artesian Beach Haven for Mineral Bathers|author = Jolie Lipson|work = The Oklahoman|accessdate = October 30, 2016}}</ref> When an oil well drilled on the C. J. Minton farm produced only artesian water, the landowner created a swimming and boating area for the public.<ref>Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences By Washington Academy of Sciences (Washington, D.C.), Washington Academy of Sciences, Washington Academy of Sciences Published by Washington Academy of Sciences, 1922 Item notes: v.12 (1922) Original from Harvard University</ref>  The city acquired Gage Beach in 1939 and constructed a bathhouse and boat dock and considerable work was done in 2012 to rebuild the banks of Gage Beach. There was once a motel on the springs and travelers came from afar to relax and swim in the spring waters. The water is not drinkable nor is it suitable for irrigation due to high mineral content.<ref name=newsOK/> Early advertisements touted the water as good for kidney ailments, rheumatism, eczema, and stomach problems and people traveled from Kansas, Texas, and from various parts of Oklahoma to try the pool so full of minerals one can easily float.<ref name=newsOK/> Originally the artesian spring discharged {{convert|1700|gal/min}}. Measurements in 2009 suggest that the spring discharge had reduced to only {{convert|400|gal/min}}.<ref>City of Gage employee</ref> More recently, the output of the spring has possibly increased and currently the spring-fed lake is fuller than it has been in recent years.

===Climate===

According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Gage was {{convert|114|F|C|1}} on July 19, 2022, while the coldest temperature recorded was {{convert|-20|F|C|1}} on January 15, 1905.<ref name=NOWData />

{{Weather box
|location = Gage, Oklahoma ([[Gage Airport]]), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1904–present
|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 86
|Feb record high F = 94
|Mar record high F = 102
|Apr record high F = 101
|May record high F = 105
|Jun record high F = 113
|Jul record high F = 114
|Aug record high F = 113
|Sep record high F = 108
|Oct record high F = 102
|Nov record high F = 93
|Dec record high F = 91

|Jan avg record high F = 74.4
|Feb avg record high F = 79.2
|Mar avg record high F = 87.3
|Apr avg record high F = 92.5
|May avg record high F = 95.8
|Jun avg record high F = 100.2
|Jul avg record high F = 104.4
|Aug avg record high F = 103.4
|Sep avg record high F = 98.6
|Oct avg record high F = 92.3
|Nov avg record high F = 81.3
|Dec avg record high F = 73.2
|year avg record high F = 106.0

|Jan high F = 50.7
|Feb high F = 54.5
|Mar high F = 64.5
|Apr high F = 72.9
|May high F = 81.6
|Jun high F = 90.1
|Jul high F = 95.1
|Aug high F = 93.9
|Sep high F = 86.1
|Oct high F = 74.3
|Nov high F = 61.7
|Dec high F = 51.0
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 36.6
|Feb mean F = 40.0
|Mar mean F = 49.7
|Apr mean F = 58.3
|May mean F = 68.0
|Jun mean F = 77.5
|Jul mean F = 82.0
|Aug mean F = 80.6
|Sep mean F = 72.4
|Oct mean F = 59.8
|Nov mean F = 47.2
|Dec mean F = 37.4
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 22.4
|Feb low F = 25.5
|Mar low F = 34.8
|Apr low F = 43.7
|May low F = 54.5
|Jun low F = 64.8
|Jul low F = 68.9
|Aug low F = 67.2
|Sep low F = 58.8
|Oct low F = 45.3
|Nov low F = 32.7
|Dec low F = 23.8
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 4.2
|Feb avg record low F = 7.1
|Mar avg record low F = 14.2
|Apr avg record low F = 24.9
|May avg record low F = 35.5
|Jun avg record low F = 50.1
|Jul avg record low F = 56.7
|Aug avg record low F = 55.0
|Sep avg record low F = 40.5
|Oct avg record low F = 24.7
|Nov avg record low F = 12.6
|Dec avg record low F = 5.9
|year avg record low F = -0.8

|Jan record low F = -20
|Feb record low F = -19
|Mar record low F = -7
|Apr record low F = 14
|May record low F = 25
|Jun record low F = 40
|Jul record low F = 47
|Aug record low F = 43
|Sep record low F = 29
|Oct record low F = 10
|Nov record low F = -5
|Dec record low F = -13

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.56
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.68
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.52
|Apr precipitation inch = 2.02
|May precipitation inch = 3.05
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.48
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.05
|Aug precipitation inch = 2.50
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.52
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.34
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.78
|Dec precipitation inch = 0.91
|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 3.1
|Feb precipitation days = 3.4
|Mar precipitation days = 5.5
|Apr precipitation days = 6.1
|May precipitation days = 7.7
|Jun precipitation days = 7.7
|Jul precipitation days = 6.4
|Aug precipitation days = 7.5
|Sep precipitation days = 5.2
|Oct precipitation days = 5.0
|Nov precipitation days = 4.0
|Dec precipitation days = 3.3

|Jan snow inch = 3.2
|Feb snow inch = 3.0
|Mar snow inch = 2.7
|Apr snow inch = 0.3
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.3
|Nov snow inch = 1.5
|Dec snow inch = 3.6
|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 2.1
|Feb snow days = 1.5
|Mar snow days = 1.2
|Apr snow days = 0.4
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.3
|Nov snow days = 0.8
|Dec snow days = 1.7
|year snow days = 8.0

|Jan snow depth inch = 0.6
|Feb snow depth inch = 0.5
|Mar snow depth inch = 0.8
|Apr snow depth inch = 0.0
|May snow depth inch = 0.0
|Jun snow depth inch = 0.0
|Jul snow depth inch = 0.0
|Aug snow depth inch = 0.0
|Sep snow depth inch = 0.0
|Oct snow depth inch = 0.1
|Nov snow depth inch = 0.7
|Dec snow depth inch = 1.1
|year snow depth inch = 1.9

|source 1 = NOAA (average snow/snow days 1981–2010)<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USW00013975&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Gage Airport, OK (1991–2020)
}}
Retrieved on November 1, 2022.
</ref><ref>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly&stations=USW00013975&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Gage Airport, OK (1981–2010)
|access-date = November 1, 2022
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=oun
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Norman
|access-date = November 1, 2022
}}
</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1910= 924
|1920= 804
|1930= 856
|1940= 684
|1950= 648
|1960= 482
|1970= 536
|1980= 667
|1990= 473
|2000= 429
|2010= 442
|2020= 433
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015|df= }}</ref>{{cbignore}}
}}

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 429 people, 197 households, and 121 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|1,032.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 223 housing units at an average density of {{convert|536.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 96.97% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.40% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.93% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], and 0.70% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.56% of the population.

There were 197 households, out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 36.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $25,795, and the median income for a family was $32,750. Males had a median income of $22,788 versus $13,929 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $15,706. About 15.4% of families and 20.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 37.8% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.

==See also==
*[[Boiling Springs State Park]]
*[[Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge]]
*[[Great Salt Plains State Park]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.fargo.k12.ok.us/ Fargo-Gage Public Schools]
*[http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/G/GA001.html Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture - Gage]
*[http://www.ecstatesman.com The Ellis County Statesman, a/k/a the Northwest Oklahoman (county news source)]

{{Ellis County, Oklahoma}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Ellis County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Towns in Oklahoma]]