Editing Seminole, Oklahoma

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Seminole, Oklahoma
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = 
|image_skyline            = Seminole Municipal Building.jpg
|image_alt = A two-story yellow brick building with three stone archways around the front doors
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = The [[Seminole Municipal Building]], which is on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = OKMap-doton-Seminole.PNG
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Seminole, 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        = [[Seminole County, Oklahoma|Seminole]]

<!-- 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           = 36.91
|area_land_km2            = 35.48
|area_water_km2           = 1.43
|area_total_sq_mi         = 14.25
|area_land_sq_mi          = 13.70
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.55

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 7146
|population_density_km2   = 201.40
|population_density_sq_mi = 521.61

<!-- 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             = 938
|coordinates              = {{coord|35|14|06|N|96|38|58|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]s
|postal_code              = 74818, 74868
|area_code                = [[Area code 405|405]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 40-66350<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              = 2411865<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2411865}}</ref>
|website                  = [http://www.seminole-oklahoma.net/ www.seminole-oklahoma.net]
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
}}
'''Seminole''' ({{langx|sac|'''Sheminônîheki'''}}<ref>Gordon Whittaker, 2005, "A Concise Dictionary of the Sauk Language", The Sac & Fox National Public Library Stroud, Oklahoma. [https://www.sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Copy-of-A-Concise-Dictionary-Sauk.pdf]</ref>) is a city in [[Seminole County, Oklahoma|Seminole County]], [[Oklahoma]], United States. The population was 7,488 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]]. Seminole experienced a large population growth in the 1920s due to an [[oil boom]].<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.drillthis.com/history-seminole-hub.html
 |title       = Seminole, Hub of the Oklahoma Oil Patch
 |publisher   = DrillThis
 |year        = 2004
 |access-date  = 2008-11-08
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20081120175745/http://www.drillthis.com/history-seminole-hub.html
 |archive-date = 2008-11-20
}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Oklahoma - Purcell through Witchita National Forest - NARA - 68147240 (cropped).jpg|300px|thumb|left|Oil wells in Seminole, 1932]]
The city was platted in 1906 as a relocation setting for the residents of Tidmore, when the railroad line was placed north of the town.<ref name="elsie">Morris, Elsie. [http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=SE012 SEMINOLE (TOWN)]," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. (accessed July 31, 2013)</ref> When [[Oklahoma Territory]] and [[Indian Territory]] merged to become the [[U.S. state]] of [[Oklahoma]] in 1907, there were 206 residents.<ref name="elsie"/>

Seminole competed to be the county seat of [[Seminole County, Oklahoma|Seminole County]], but lost to [[Wewoka, Oklahoma|Wewoka]].<ref name="wilson">Wilson, Linda D. [http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=WE023 Wewoka], Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. (accessed July 31, 2013)</ref> The town of Seminole was incorporated as a city in December 1924.<ref>{{cite web |title=Who We Are |url=https://www.seminole-oklahoma.net/residents |website=City of Seminole |access-date=2 January 2025}}</ref>

Upon the discovery of a high-producing oil well in the city in 1926, Seminole transformed from a town of 854 to a boom town of 25,000 to 30,000 residents.<ref name="elsie"/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Welsh |first1=Louise |last2=Townes |first2=Willa Mae |last3=Morris |first3=John W. |title=A History of The Greater Seminole Oil Field |date=1981 |publisher=Oklahoma Heritage Association |isbn=0865460310 |pages=69–96}}</ref> In August 1970 Seminole hosted its first All-Night Gospel Singing. During its heyday an estimated twenty-five thousand people attended the annual event. After the boom, the population declined to about 11,000 and remained that way until 1970.<ref name="elsie"/>

There are multiple structures in the Seminole area listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. They include the [[Home Stake Oil and Gas Company Building]], [[Mekasukey Academy]], the [[Seminole Municipal Building]], the [[Sinclair Loading Rack]], [[Strother Memorial Chapel]], and the [[W.E. Grisso Mansion]].<ref name="OK-Register-Handbook">State Historic Preservation Office: Oklahoma Historical Society.[http://www.okhistory.org/shpo/NRHANDBK.htm ''Oklahoma's National Register Handbook'']. April 1, 2015. Accessed August 22, 2016.</ref>

The city was heavily damaged by an EF2 tornado on [[List of United States tornadoes in May 2022#May 4 event|May 4, 2022]].<ref name="OUN 050204">{{cite web|agency=National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma|title=NWS Damage Survey for May 2 and May 4 Tornado Events|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=PNSOUN&e=202205061905|publisher=Iowa Environmental Mesonet|date=May 6, 2022|accessdate=May 6, 2022}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|14.5|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|13.9|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.6|sqmi|km2}} (3.93%) is water.

===Climate===
{{Weather box   <!-- Infobox begins -->
| single line = Y
| location    = Seminole, Oklahoma (1991–2020)
<!-- Average high temperatures -->
| Jan high F  =51.8
| Feb high F  =56.5
| Mar high F  =65.0
| Apr high F  =73.6
| May high F  =81.0
| Jun high F  =89.0
| Jul high F  =94.8
| Aug high F  =94.7
| Sep high F  =86.7
| Oct high F  =76.1
| Nov high F  =63.5
| Dec high F  =53.6
<!-- Mean daily temperature -->
| Jan mean F  =39.0
| Feb mean F  =43.3
| Mar mean F  =51.6
| Apr mean F  =60.2
| May mean F  =69.3
| Jun mean F  =77.7
| Jul mean F  =82.8
| Aug mean F  =82.0
| Sep mean F  =73.9
| Oct mean F  =62.5
| Nov mean F  =50.6
| Dec mean F  =41.5
<!-- Average low temperatures -->
| Jan low F  =26.2
| Feb low F  =30.1
| Mar low F  =38.1
| Apr low F  =46.8
| May low F  =57.6
| Jun low F  =66.4
| Jul low F  =70.8
| Aug low F  =69.3
| Sep low F  =61.1
| Oct low F  =48.9
| Nov low F  =37.6
| Dec low F  =29.4
<!-- Total precipitation, this should include rain and snow. -->
| precipitation colour    =  green
| Jan precipitation inch  =1.91
| Feb precipitation inch  =2.40
| Mar precipitation inch  =2.89
| Apr precipitation inch  =4.50
| May precipitation inch  =5.39
| Jun precipitation inch  =4.84
| Jul precipitation inch  =3.74
| Aug precipitation inch  =3.59
| Sep precipitation inch  =4.81
| Oct precipitation inch  =4.09
| Nov precipitation inch  =2.66
| Dec precipitation inch  =2.37
<!-- Snowfall -->
| Jan snow inch  =1.9
| Feb snow inch  =0.2
| Mar snow inch  =0.6
| 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  =0.1
| Dec snow inch  =1.6
<!-- Mandatory fields, source -->
| source = NOAA<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-monthly&timeframe=30&station=USC00348042 |title=NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access |publisher=NOAA |access-date=2025-04-03 }}</ref>
}}<!-- Infobox ends -->

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1910= 476
|1920= 854
|1930= 11459
|1940= 11547
|1950= 11863
|1960= 11464
|1970= 7878
|1980= 8590
|1990= 7071
|2000= 6899
|2010= 7488
|2020= 7146
|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}}</ref>
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 6,899 people, 2,760 households, and 1,827 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|494.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,172 housing units at an average density of {{convert|227.4|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 73.42% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.97% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 16.38% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.32% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.72% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 5.15% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.61% of the population.

There were 2,760 households, out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.5% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,120, and the median income for a family was $29,091. Males had a median income of $26,765 versus $17,474 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $12,946. About 16.3% of families and 19.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 28.2% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
The majority of the city is within the [[Seminole Public Schools]] school district.<ref name=CensusSDMap2020>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st40_ok/schooldistrict_maps/c40133_seminole/DC20SD_C40133.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Seminole County, OK|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-10-12}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st40_ok/schooldistrict_maps/c40133_seminole/DC20SD_C40133_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> [[Seminole High School (Oklahoma)|Seminole High School]] is that district's comprehensive high school.

Parts of Seminole are within these districts: [[Varnum Public Schools]]<!--UNI 30990-->, [[Butner Public Schools]]<!--UNI 06000-->, and [[New Lima Public Schools]]<!--UNI 21360-->.<ref name=CensusSDMap2020/>

[[Seminole State College (Oklahoma)|Seminole State College]] is located in the city.

==Transportation==
Seminole is served by [[US Route 270]], [[US Route 377]], [[Oklahoma State Highway 3E]], and [[Oklahoma State Highway 9]].<ref name=Google1/>

[[Seminole Municipal Airport]] (KSRE, or FAA ID: SRE), owned by the city and located about 3 miles to the north, features two runways, the longer of which is paved and 5004’ by 75’.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.airnav.com/airport/KSRE |title= Seminole Municipal Airport |publisher=AirNav.com|accessdate=June 27, 2021}}</ref>

Commercial air transportation is available out of [[Will Rogers World Airport]], about 63 miles west-northwest.<ref>{{cite web|url=  https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Will+Rogers+World+Airport+(OKC),+Terminal+Drive,+Oklahoma+City,+OK/Seminole,+OK/@35.3448628,-97.4004901,10z/data=!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x87b2120d7b2a7fdd:0xce9dc2593921ae7c!2m2!1d-97.600556!2d35.393056!1m5!1m1!1s0x87b3973a71693a1d:0x8e9f9d6389ebcebd!2m2!1d-96.670573!2d35.2245201 |title=Will Rogers World Airport to Seminole, Oklahoma|publisher=Google Maps|accessdate=June 27, 2021}}</ref>

==Recreation==
[[Sportsman Lake]] is to the east-southeast of the city.<ref name=Google1/>   Along with the associated 1400-acre wildlife refuge which surrounds it,<ref name=Lubbers>{{cite web|url= https://www.lakelubbers.com/sportsman-lake-802/ |title=Sportsman Lake, Oklahoma, USA|publisher= Lakelubbers.com|accessdate=June 26, 2021}}</ref> the lake offers boat docks and ramps; primitive campsites as well as RV sites; equestrian trails and facilities; and, other amenities.<ref name=TravelOK>{{cite web|url= https://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.7175 |title=Sportsman Lake|publisher=TravelOK.com|accessdate=June 26, 2021}}</ref>

[[Wewoka Lake]] is further to the east-southeast.<ref name=Google1>{{cite web|url= https://www.google.com/maps/place/Seminole,+OK/@35.2168323,-96.6690182,12.31z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x87b3973a71693a1d:0x8e9f9d6389ebcebd!8m2!3d35.2245201!4d-96.670573 |title=Seminole, OK|publisher=Google Maps|accessdate=June 26, 2021}}</ref>  While developed by the City of Wewoka in the 1920’s as a water reservoir,<ref name=History>{{cite web|url=  https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=WE023 |title=Wewoka |publisher=Oklahoma Historical Society|accessdate=June 26, 2021}}</ref> opportunities at the lake today include fishing & boating; RV & primitive camping; and, swimming & water skiing.<ref name=TravelOK/><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.lasr.net/travel/city.php?Wewoka+Lake&TravelTo=OK0412030&VA=Y&Attraction_ID=OK0412030a009 |title=Wewoka Lake|publisher=lasr.net|accessdate=June 26, 2021}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[David Boren]] (1941–2025), former Oklahoma Governor, State Senator, and former President of the [[University of Oklahoma]]<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=BO018 |title=Boren, David Lyle |encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture |publisher=Oklahoma Historical Society |last=Burke |first=Bob |access-date=February 8, 2019}}</ref>
* [[Ronald Chase]] (born 1934), arts educator, painter, actor, photographer, filmmaker, opera designer<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ronaldchaseart.com/chronology/ |title=Ronald Chase Chronology |website=ronaldchase.com |access-date=February 8, 2019}}</ref>
* [[Aaron Gwyn]] (born 1972), novelist and short story writer<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://muse.jhu.edu/article/481798/pdf |title=Reinvention |last=Morgan |first=Speer |journal=The Missouri Review |volume=35 |number=2 |date=Summer 2012 |page=5 |access-date=February 8, 2019 |doi=10.1353/mis.2012.0036 |via=Project MUSE |eissn=1548-9930}}</ref>
* [[Enoch Kelly Haney]] (1940–2022), Principal Chief of the Seminole Nation, artist, and former Oklahoma State Senator<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2001-02%20INT/sres/sr66%20int.pdf |title=Senate Resolution 66: A Resolution thanking Senator Enoch Kelly Haney |work=2nd Session of the 48th Legislature |publisher=State of Oklahoma |year=2002 |author=Oklahoma State Senate |access-date=February 8, 2019}}</ref>
* [[Edmond Harjo]] (1917–2014), [[Seminole Nation of Oklahoma|Seminole]] [[Code Talker]] during [[World War II]] and recipient of the [[Congressional Gold Medal]]<ref name=tworld>{{cite news|title=Seminole code talker Edmond Harjo dies at 96 |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/local/seminole-code-talker-edmond-harjo-dies-at/article_6d65c407-10e8-56ae-ab96-aaa1b3b3a29f.html |work=[[Tulsa World]] |date=2014-04-13 |access-date=2014-04-27}}</ref><ref name=natimes>{{cite news|first=Dana |last=Attocknie |title=Last living Seminole Code Talker walks on, loved ones pay respects, honor hero |url=http://www.nativetimes.com/index.php/life/people/9747-last-living-seminole-code-talker-walks-on-loved-ones-pay-respects-honor-hero |work=[[Native American Times]] |date=2014-04-07 |access-date=2014-04-27}}</ref>
* [[Arthur Jones (inventor)|Arthur Jones]] (1926–2007), founder of [[Nautilus, Inc.]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-09-07-8603070072-story.html |title=Inventor of Nautilus Exercises Right to Tell It How He Thinks |last=Hess |first=Jennie |work=Chicago Tribune |date=September 7, 1986 |access-date=February 8, 2019}}</ref>
* [[Joe Liggins]] (1916–1987), musician, early pioneer of rock and roll, [[The Honeydripper]].
* [[Jesse Pearson (actor)|Jesse Pearson]] (1930–1979), actor and screenwriter, born in Seminole in 1930{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LT93-DC6/bobby-wayne-%22jesse%22-pearson-1930-1979|title=Bobby Wayne "Jesse" Pearson|website=Family Search}}</ref>
* [[Troy Smith (businessman)|Troy N. Smith]] (1922–2009), founder of [[Sonic Drive-In]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/03/business/03smith.html |title=Troy Smith, Founder of Sonic, Dies at 87 |last=Hernández |first=Javier C. |date=November 2, 2009 |access-date=February 8, 2019 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>
* [[William C. Wantland]] (born 1934), Bishop of the [[Episcopal Diocese of Eau Claire]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.virtueonline.org/profile-bishop-william-c-wantland-bishop-ready-his-next-role-life |title=Profile: Bishop William C. Wantland - Bishop ready for his next role in life |last=Painter
|first=Bryan |work=The Oklahoman |date=May 1, 2006 |access-date=February 8, 2019 |via=VirtueOnline}}</ref>
* [[Jesse Mashburn]] (born 1933), Olympic medalist in athletics

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.seminole-oklahoma.net/ City of Seminole official website]

{{Seminole County, Oklahoma}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Seminole County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Cities in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Seminole Nation of Oklahoma]]