Editing Perry, Oklahoma

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info -->
|name                     = Perry, Oklahoma
|settlement_type          = [[City]]

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Downtown Perry, Oklahoma.jpg
|image_caption            = Downtown Perry (2024)
|image_flag               =
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = OKMap-doton-Perry.PNG
|map_caption              = Location within [[Noble County, Oklahoma|Noble County]] and [[Oklahoma]]

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|coordinates              = {{coord|36|17|01|N|97|18|34|W|region:US-OK_type:city_source:GNIS|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Oklahoma]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Oklahoma|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Noble County, Oklahoma|Noble]]

<!-- Government -->
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         =
|established_title1       = [[Platted]]
|established_date1        =
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        =
|named_for                =

<!-- Area -->
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
|area_total_sq_mi         = 55.0009
|area_land_sq_mi          = 6.82
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.96
|area_total_km2           = 20.14
|area_land_km2            = 17.66
|area_water_km2           = 2.48
|unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name="GNIS"/>
|elevation_ft             = 1060

<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     =
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 4484
|pop_est_footnotes        =
|pop_est_as_of            =
|population_est           =
|population_density_sq_mi = 657.77
|population_density_km2   = 253.95

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone|CST]]
|utc_offset               = −6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = −5
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 73077
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|area_code                = [[Area code 580|580]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = {{FIPS|40|58250}} <ref name="GNIS"/>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2411404 <ref name="GNIS">{{cite gnis2|2411404|Perry, Oklahoma}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.cityofperryok.com/|cityofperryok.com}}
}}

'''Perry''' is a city in, and [[county seat]] of, [[Noble County, Oklahoma]], United States.<ref name="GNIS"/> As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]], the city population was 5,126, a 2.0 percent decrease from the figure of 5,230 in 2000.<ref name="Census2010">{{cite web|title=2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL2.ST13&prodType=table|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411124723/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL2.ST13&prodType=table|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 11, 2015|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=April 14, 2011}}</ref> The city is home of [[Ditch Witch]] construction equipment manufacture.

==History==
===19th century===
The [[Treaty of New Echota]], May 23, 1836, assigned the [[Cherokee Outlet]] to the [[Cherokee]]s as a perpetual outlet to use for passage to travel and hunt in the West from their reservation in the eastern part of what became Oklahoma. This was in addition to the land given to the Cherokees for settlement after their arrival from their home in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]].

[[File:Sunrise in Perry Oklahoma.jpg|thumb|Sunrise in Perry (2007)]]

Perry's original name was '''Wharton''', the name of a train station built in 1886 by the Southern Kansas Railway (part of the [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway]] system) about 1 mile south of the present city and it was located within the Outlet.  Before the 1893 Cherokee Outlet Opening, the U.S. government selected a site a mile north of Wharton for a land office. A town around the office was named after J.A. Perry, a man sent by the government to lay out land office towns.<ref name="EOHC-Perry">[http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=PE017  Mildred Highfill,   "Perry." ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture''.] Accessed October 21, 2013.</ref> Perry later became one of the township location commissioners. Noble County, then known as "County P", was named after [[John Willock Noble]] of St. Louis, the Interior Secretary for President [[William Henry Harrison]].<ref name="perry ok his">
{{cite web|url=http://www.perryok.org/history.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010220231252/http://www.perryok.org/history.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 February 2001|title=EARLY HISTORY OF PERRY, OKLAHOMA|author=Fred R. Belk|access-date=6 March 2011}}
</ref>

The [[Dalton Gang]], which at that time included [[Bob Dalton (outlaw)|Bob Dalton]], [[Emmett Dalton]], [[Charlie Bryant]] and [[George Newcomb]] entered Wharton to rob a train in May 1891 earning $1745.  Shortly after the robbery, Bryant fell ill and was taken to [[Hennessey, Oklahoma|Hennessey]] to see a doctor.  After being spotted and arrested by Deputy Marshal Ed Short.  During an escape attempt Bryant and Short would kill each other.<ref name="slinger">
{{cite web |url=http://www.gunslinger.com/dalton.html |title=The Dalton Gang |author=gunslinger.com |publisher=gunslinger.com |access-date=6 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719031305/http://www.gunslinger.com/dalton.html |archive-date=19 July 2011 }}
</ref> Among those within the boundary of the Strip prior to the opening, were the notorious [[Bill Doolin]] gang. A Santa Fe train was robbed at Wharton before the opening, and the gang escaped into Osage County. U.S. Marshall [[Evett Dumas Nix|E.D. Nix]] and 100 deputies were commissioned to police the area and keep order.<ref name="perry ok his"/>
 
[[Land Run of 1893|At noon on September 16, 1893, "a run" for land within "the Strip" was opened.]]  An estimated 90,000 men, women, and children took part and by nightfall 40,000 had erected tents in Perry.  Jack Tearney started at the county line and reached Perry within 31 minutes.  By 4:00&nbsp;p.m. he had erected and opened the "Blue Bell" saloon selling beer the first day for $1.00 a bottle, due to the scarcity of water.  He would sell 38,000 glasses.<ref name="perry ok his"/>

Named "Hell's Half Acre", the original town's perimeter included A & F streets and 1st and 9th streets.  About 110 saloons and gambling houses were in operation with many of them set up 1/2 block east of the west side of the now existing square.<ref name="perry ok his"/>

Perry incorporated on September 20, 1893.<ref name="EOHC-Perry"/>

===20th century===
In 1902, Carl Malzahn, a German immigrant, moved to Perry and opened the Malzahn Blacksmith Shop with his sons, Charles (Charlie) and Gus. The sons took over the business in 1913 and renamed it Malzahn Brothers' General Blacksmithing, specializing in repairing equipment for the nearby oil fields.  After Gus died in 1928, the surviving brother renamed the business, Charlie’s Machine Shop. Charlie's son, Ed, a mechanical engineer, joined the business in 1944. Ed noticed a need for a machine to replace hand digging trenches for the installation of residential utility lines, and set to work developing such a device. By 1948, he had a successful device, a compact trencher, which he called the [[Ditch Witch]]. Soon, Ditch Witch became a successful company, wholly owned by the now-renamed Charles Machine Works Company, since 2019 a subsidiary of [[The Toro Company]].  It has grown into the largest employer in Perry and in Noble County, employing approximately 1,300 people.<ref name="EOHC-DW">[http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=DI010 Hannemann, Carolyn G. "Ditch Witch." ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture''.] Accessed November 17, 2016.</ref>

[[Timothy McVeigh]] was stopped on April 19, 1995, along [[Interstate 35 in Oklahoma|Interstate 35]] outside of Perry by [[Oklahoma Highway Patrol]] Trooper Charlie Hanger. Trooper Hanger had passed McVeigh's yellow 1977 [[Mercury Marquis]] and noticed it had no license plate. He arrested McVeigh for carrying a loaded firearm. Three days later, while still in jail, McVeigh was identified as the subject of a nationwide manhunt for the perpetrator of the [[Oklahoma City bombing]], which had happened on the day of McVeigh's arrest.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/oklahoma/stories/ok042295.htm Arrest of Timothy McVeigh]</ref><ref>[http://countyext.okstate.edu/nwdistrict/County%20Extension%20Offices/noble.htm] Noble County Information</ref>

===21st century===
Perry moved from a strong mayor form of government to a Home Rule Charter. The town is in the process of transitioning to a City Manager. {{citation needed|date=October 2010}}

Operating under the Home Rule Charter form of government, the City of Perry divides its responsibilities between the city council and the city manager. The city council acts as the legislative branch, establishing ordinances, setting policy, authorizing budgets, and directing the city manager when appropriate. The city manager oversees day-to- day operations and administration of the city. Together with city staff, the city manager and city council work to make the most efficient use of the limited resources available to the City of Perry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityofperryok.com/,%20https://www.cityofperryok.com/government|title=City of Perry Oklahoma - Government|website=www.cityofperryok.com|access-date=2019-04-01}}</ref>

{{as of|2001|2}}, it is the smallest town in Oklahoma with a daily newspaper.<ref name="perry ok his" />

==Geography==
Perry is {{convert|60|miles|km}} north of [[Oklahoma City]],<ref name="EOHC-Perry"/> and {{convert|100|miles|km}} south of [[Wichita, Kansas]]. 

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|6.8|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|6.1|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.8|sqmi|km2}} (10.98%) is water.

===Climate===
{{Weather box   <!-- Infobox begins -->
| single line = Y
| location    = Perry, Oklahoma (1991–2020)
<!-- Average high temperatures -->
| Jan high F  =48.8
| Feb high F  =53.5
| Mar high F  =62.5
| Apr high F  =72.0
| May high F  =80.2
| Jun high F  =89.8
| Jul high F  =94.8
| Aug high F  =93.7
| Sep high F  =85.6
| Oct high F  =74.6
| Nov high F  =61.2
| Dec high F  =50.2
<!-- Mean daily temperature -->
| Jan mean F  =36.9
| Feb mean F  =40.8
| Mar mean F  =49.8
| Apr mean F  =59.3
| May mean F  =69.1
| Jun mean F  =78.7
| Jul mean F  =83.4
| Aug mean F  =82.1
| Sep mean F  =73.9
| Oct mean F  =61.8
| Nov mean F  =49.3
| Dec mean F  =39.1
<!-- Average low temperatures -->
| Jan low F  =24.9
| Feb low F  =28.1
| Mar low F  =37.2
| Apr low F  =46.6
| May low F  =58.1
| Jun low F  =67.6
| Jul low F  =72.0
| Aug low F  =70.5
| Sep low F  =62.2
| Oct low F  =48.9
| Nov low F  =37.4
| Dec low F  =28.0
<!-- Total precipitation, this should include rain and snow. -->
| precipitation colour    =  green
| Jan precipitation inch  =1.25
| Feb precipitation inch  =1.50
| Mar precipitation inch  =2.58
| Apr precipitation inch  =3.98
| May precipitation inch  =5.19
| Jun precipitation inch  =4.44
| Jul precipitation inch  =3.54
| Aug precipitation inch  =3.44
| Sep precipitation inch  =3.13
| Oct precipitation inch  =3.25
| Nov precipitation inch  =1.94
| Dec precipitation inch  =1.84
<!-- Snowfall -->
| Jan snow inch  =1.5
| Feb snow inch  =1.3
| Mar snow inch  =1.8
| Apr snow inch  =0.0
| 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  =0.0
| Nov snow inch  =0.0
| Dec snow inch  =1.9
<!-- Mandatory fields, source -->
| source = NOAA<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-monthly&timeframe=30&station=USC00347012 |title=NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access |publisher=NOAA |access-date=2025-04-03 }}</ref>
}}<!-- Infobox ends -->

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=
|1900= 3351
|1910= 3133
|1920= 3154
|1930= 4206
|1940= 5045
|1950= 5137
|1960= 5210
|1970= 5341
|1980= 5796
|1990= 4978
|2000= 5230
|2010= 5126
|2020= 4484
|align-fn=center
|footnote=[https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html U.S. Decennial Census]
}}

As of the [[census]]<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> of 2000, there were 5,230 people, 2,203 households, and 1,445 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|860.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,493 housing units at an average density of {{convert|410.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 89.7% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 3.3% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.5% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.6% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.7% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.8% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=Perry&_cityTown=Perry&_state=04000US40&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010&show_2003_tab=&redirect=Y |title=Perry city, Oklahoma - Fact Sheet - American FactFinder |access-date=2010-05-03 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212053003/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=Perry&_cityTown=Perry&_state=04000US40&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010&show_2003_tab=&redirect=Y |archive-date=2020-02-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

There were 2,203 households, out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,653, and the median income for a family was $37,731. Males had a median income of $30,485 versus $22,039 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $16,924. About 10.4% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 16.2% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
The city is home to Charles Machine Works, which is the headquarters and manufacturing facility of [[Ditch Witch]] machinery and employs over 1,300 people.<ref name="EOHC-DW"/>  In November 2022, the company announced an expansion adding over 200,000 square feet to the Ditch Witch campus together with 100 new jobs.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/ditch-witch-expands-operations-in-oklahoma-town/ar-AA14f0oj?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=26b356de7d9f4933be85e3426b7c3c7e|title=Ditch Witch expands operations in Oklahoma town|publisher=KOCO Oklahoma City, November 17, 2022 (accessed on MSN.com)|accessdate=November 18, 2022}}</ref>

==Government==
The city of Perry has been governed under a Home Rule City Charter Form of Government since the motion passed by popular vote and was approved by the Governor in 2008.

The Perry Police Department consists of 12 full time police officers, five dispatchers and an animal control officer. The Chief of Police is Brian Thomas.

The Perry Fire Department consists of nine full time firefighters.

==Education==
[[File:The Wrestling Monument Park in Perry.jpg|thumb|Wrestling Monument Park in Perry (2024)]]
[[File:The Carnegie Library in Perry, OK.jpg|thumb|Carnegie Library in Perry (2024)]]

* Perry High School, grades 9-12.
* Perry Junior-High School, grades 7-8.
* Perry Upper Elementary School, grades 3-6.
* Perry Lower Elementary School, grades Pre-K-2.

Perry High School is noted for its [[Scholastic wrestling|wrestling]] program, historically one of the most successful programs in the United States; it has won 63 state championships, including 43 team and 20 dual championships since 1952, and 163 individual state championships.<ref>John Klein, [http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/article.aspx?subjectid=203&articleid=20120630_203_B1_PERRYF127810 "Perry's tradition in wrestling is unmatched"], ''[[Tulsa World]]''. June 30, 2012 (pay site).</ref>

Perry is also home to one of the many [[Carnegie Library|Carnegie Libraries]] in the United States.

==Historic Sites==
{{main|National Register of Historic Places listings in Noble County, Oklahoma}}
Multiple historic sites in Perry are NRHP-listed:
{{colbegin}}
* [[First National Bank and Trust Company Building (Perry, Oklahoma)|First National Bank and Trust Company Building]]
* [[Noble County Courthouse (Oklahoma)|Noble County Courthouse]]
* [[Perry Armory]]
* [[Perry Courthouse Square Historic District]]
* [[Perry Lake Park]]
* [[Wolleson-Nicewander Building]]
{{colend}}

==Parks and Recreation==
The Cherokee Strip Museum is operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society. It provides an opportunity to explore the remarkable events and people constituting the history of the [[Cherokee Outlet]].  The facility includes The Rose Hill School, giving fourth-grade students an opportunity to experience an education from yesteryear; and, a Blacksmith Shop, allowing visitors to see what crafting tools was like in pioneer days.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.cityofperryok.com/visitors#CherokeeStripMuseum
|title=Cherokee Strip Museum|publisher=City of Perry|access-date=June 8, 2020}}</ref>
  
Since 2016, Perry has operated the Perry BMAC Baseball Complex, complete with four ball fields, each equipped with a digital scoreboard and control system.  The complex includes covered bleachers and a full concessions area.<ref name=BMAC>{{cite web|url= https://www.cityofperryok.com/visitors#BMACComplex |title=BMAC Complex|publisher=City of Perry|access-date=June 8, 2020}}</ref>

Perry Lake is two miles off [[US Route 77|US-77]].  The lake was originally created to be the primary water source for the City of Perry; however, its primary use is now recreational.  The lake offers boating, skiing, swimming, fishing, and RV camping.<ref name=Lake>{{cite web|url= https://www.cityofperryok.com/visitors#PerryLake |title=Perry Lake, and CCC Lake and Park|publisher=City of Perry|access-date=June 8, 2020}}</ref> 
 
CCC Lake and Park, created in 1934 by the [[Civilian Conservation Corps|Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)]] as part of the [[New Deal]], is just to the south of Perry on [[Oklahoma State Highway 86|SH-86]]. The lake itself is now Perry’s primary water source; so, while swimming and fishing are allowed, only trolling motors are permitted on the lake.  Three pavilions are available for use, as is Centennial Church, a beautiful 1894 building moved to the Park and fully renovated by 2007.  All these facilities can be reserved for special occasions.<ref name=Lake />

[[Lake McMurtry]] is to the southeast; and, [[Carl Blackwell Lake|Lake Carl Blackwell]] is to the south.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Carl+Blackwell+Lake/@36.2083179,-97.3489527,10.97z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x87b1a4a192a4c9fb:0x20de9a9d7f667af6!8m2!3d36.1344138!4d-97.2302295 | title=Carl Blackwell Lake|publisher=Google Maps|access-date=June 8, 2020}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Thomas H. Doyle]], American attorney, politician, judge who moved to Perry before statehood and served as member of Territorial Congress (1897–1901) and U.S. Congress (1901–1907); later served on Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals (1915–1947).
* [[Ralph Foster (tackle)|Ralph Foster]], American football player
* [[Robert Galbreath, Jr.]] (1863-1953), started ''Perry Evening Democrat'' and later discovered the [[Glenn Pool Oil Reserve]]<ref name="EOHC-Galbreath">[https://web.archive.org/web/20100729062344/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/G/GA002.html   O'Dell, Larry. ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture''. "Galbreath Robert. (1863 - 1953)."] Retrieved May 12, 2014.</ref>
* [[Jake Hager]], MMA fighter, professional wrestler 
* [[Danny Hodge]], professional wrestler, Olympic wrestler, boxer
* [[Henry S. Johnston]], Oklahoma governor
* [[Little Britches (outlaw)|Little Britches]], female bandit lived briefly in Perry in 1895
* [[Sharron Miller]], [[Emmy Award]] and [[Directors Guild of America Award]] winning television director, producer, writer
* [[Billy Pricer]], American football player
* [[Jack van Bebber]], Olympic gold medalist in [[freestyle wrestling]]
* [[La Vern E. Weber]], [[United States Army]] [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]] and [[Chief of the National Guard Bureau]]

==See also==
{{Portal|Oklahoma}}
* [[Noble County Courthouse (Perry, Oklahoma)]]
* [[Perry Courthouse Square Historic District]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Perry, Oklahoma}}
* [https://www.cityofperryok.com/ City of Perry]
* [http://www.perry.k12.ok.us/ Perry Public Schools]
* [http://www.perrypl.okpls.org/ Perry Carnegie Library]

{{Noble County, Oklahoma}}
{{Oklahoma county seats}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Noble County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Cities in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:County seats in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1893]]
[[Category:1893 establishments in Oklahoma Territory]]