Editing Skiatook, Oklahoma

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
 | official_name            = Skiatook, Oklahoma
 | settlement_type          = [[City]]
 | nickname                 = Gateway to the Osage
 | motto                    = "Live Work Play Skiatook"

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 | image_map                = Tulsa County Oklahoma incorporated and unincorporated areas Skiatook highlighted.svg
 | mapsize                  = 250px
 | map_caption              = Location of within [[Tulsa County, OK|Tulsa County]], and the state of [[Oklahoma]]

<!-- 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|Counties]]
 | subdivision_name2        = [[Osage County, Oklahoma|Osage]], [[Tulsa County, Oklahoma|Tulsa]]

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<!-- Area -->
 | unit_pref                = Imperial
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 | area_magnitude           = 
 | area_total_km2           = 35.89
 | area_land_km2            = 35.52
 | area_water_km2           = 0.37
 | area_total_sq_mi         = 13.86
 | area_land_sq_mi          = 13.71
 | area_water_sq_mi         = 0.14

<!-- Population -->
 | population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
 | population_footnotes     = 
 | population_total         = 8450
 | population_density_km2   = 237.88
 | population_density_sq_mi = 616.11

<!-- 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             = 814
 | coordinates              = {{coord|36|22|35|N|96|10|36|W|region:US-OK|display=inline,title}}
 | postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
 | postal_code              = 74070
 | area_code                = [[area codes 539 and 918|539/918]]
 | blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
 | blank_info               = 40-67850<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              = 2413294<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2413294}}</ref>
 | website                  = [https://www.cityofskiatook.com/ www.cityofskiatook.com]
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}}

'''Skiatook''' ('''Skī·ǎ·tōōk''' ''or'' '''Skī·ǎ·tǒǒk''' versus '''Skī·tōōk''' ''or'' '''Skī·tǒǒk''') is a city in [[Osage County, Oklahoma|Osage]] and [[Tulsa County, Oklahoma|Tulsa]] counties in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Oklahoma]]  located in the northeastern part of the state, approximately 20 miles north and west of [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]]. Due to its location on the border between [[Osage County, Oklahoma|Osage County]] and [[Tulsa County, Oklahoma|Tulsa County]], Skiatook has been referred to as "the Gateway to the Osage." The town includes the state highway junction of [[Oklahoma State Highway 11]] and [[Oklahoma State Highway 20]].
The population was 8,450 at the 2020 census, an increase of 14.24 percent over the figure of 7,397 recorded in [[2010 United States census|2010]].<ref>{{cite web |title=QuickFacts Skiatook city, Oklahoma; United States |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/skiatookcityoklahoma,US/PST045221 |website=census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=28 July 2022}}</ref>

==History==
===19th century===
====Battle of Chustenahlah====
{{main|Battle of Chustenahlah}}

The [[Battle of Chustenahlah]] was fought just west of Skiatook, on December 26, 1861, during the [[American Civil War]]. The battle began when [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] Col. [[James M. McIntosh|James McIntosh]] ordered an attack on the [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]] aligned [[Muscogee|Creek]] Chief [[Opothleyahola]]'s forces. Opothleyahola was travelling with about 1,700 [[Muscogee|Creek]] and [[Seminole]] refugees following his defeat at the [[Battle of Chusto-Talasah]].<ref name="ChustenahlahOHS">{{cite web |title=CHUSTENAHLAH, BATTLE OF |url=https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=CH065 |website=Oklahoma Historical Society |access-date=1 December 2021}}</ref> After being defeated by the [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] forces, many refugees were forced to abandoned their supplies as they fled to [[Kansas]].<ref name="OPOTHLEYAHOLA-OHS">{{cite web |title=OPOTHLEYAHOLA (ca. 1780–1863). |url=https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=OP003 |website=Oklahoma Historical Society |access-date=1 December 2021}}</ref> 
A historical marker commemorates the battle.<ref name = "EOHC" />

====Founding and origin of name====
[[File:Main Street of Skiatook, Indian Territory.png|thumb|Skiatook's main street prior to statehood]]

[[William C. Rogers]], last hereditary Chief of the [[Cherokee]]s, founded Skiatook in 1872, when he established a trading post in the [[Cherokee Nation]] on the south bank of [[Bird Creek]]. When a post office was established in Rogers' store in 1872, the place was named Ski-a-took. The word is [[Cherokee language|Cherokee]] in origin, and means "Big-Indian-Me" or refers to something of large size. An [[Osage Nation|Osage]] trader, ''Skiatooka'' is also cited as influencing the town's name. In 1892, the name was changed from Ski-a-took to Skiatook.<ref name = "EOHC">[http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=SK003 Anna Mae Henderson, "Skiatook," ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.''] Accessed April 4, 2015.</ref>

===20th century===
[[File:Townsend, Sullivan, and Co. General Merchant store in Skiatook, Indian Territory.png|thumb|Skiatook's general store prior to statehood]]
On December 18, 1904, a bank was established on the present day location of Skiatook. [[William C. Rogers]] relocated his general store and post office to the town and began building near the bank. In March 1905 the [[Midland Valley Railroad]] was built through the town and the settlement expanded to include parts of [[Osage County, Oklahoma|Osage County]] and the [[Osage Nation]].<ref name="EOHC" /> The route no longer exists, but has been converted from rail into the 14.5 mile Osage Prairie Trail linking Skiatook with [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]] to the south.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.traillink.com/trail/osage-prairie-trail/ |title=Osage Prairie Trail|publisher=Rails to Trails Conservancy (US)|access-date=October 23, 2019}}</ref> Skiatook's first newspaper, the ''Skiatook Sentinel'', began publication in April 1905 and the town was incorporated shortly after on May 28, 1905. Skiatook's first school was also founded in 1905.<ref name="EOHC" />

After Oklahoma Statehood in 1907, construction began on permanent roads and bridges.
The first church building constructed in Skiatook was the First Christian Church in 1907.
Cement sidewalks were constructed between 1909 and 1910, and in 1912 Skiatook received water, sewer and electric light improvements.
By 1920, the towns population had increased to around 2000.
A road to Tulsa was paved in the early 1920s, and with good roads leading out in all directions, Skiatook became known as the "Gateway to all points North, South, East and West".
In the 1930s, Skiatook began purchasing water from [[Spavinaw Water Project|Lake Spavinaw]].<ref name="DowntownPlan">{{cite web |title=Skiatook town plan |url=https://www.cityofskiatook.com/DocumentCenter/View/125/Skiatook-Downtown-Revitalization-Plan-PDF?bidId= |website=cityofskiatook.com |publisher=City of Skiatook |access-date=28 July 2022}}</ref>
The completion of '''[[Skiatook Lake]]''' in 1984 gave Skiatook its own water source.<ref name="EOHC" />

===21st century===
In the 2000s, Skiatook commissioned a [[List of Main Street Programs in the United States|"Main Street program"]] in order to revitalize its downtown area.<ref name="DowntownPlan" />

==Geography==
Skiatook is located in the northeastern part of the state, approximately 20 miles north and west of [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]]. Due to its location on the border between [[Osage County, Oklahoma|Osage County]] and [[Tulsa County, Oklahoma|Tulsa County]], Skiatook has been referred to as "the Gateway to the Osage." The town includes the state highway junction of [[Oklahoma State Highway 11]] and [[Oklahoma State Highway 20]].<ref name="EOHC" />

===Skiatook Lake===
{{main|Skiatook Lake}}

Skiatook Dam and Lake was authorized for construction by the [[Flood Control Act]] approved October 23, 1962 ([[87th Congress]]). It is one of five projects in the Bird Creek Basin plan recommended to meet the comprehensive water resources needs of the area. The Damsite is located on Hominy Creek about {{convert|5|mi|km|0}} west of Skiatook in Osage County, Oklahoma. The project serves the purposes of [[flood]] control, water quality, water supply, recreation, and fish and wildlife management. The total cost of the project was approximately $120 million. It was completed in 1984.<ref name="SkiatookLake">[http://www.skiatook.com/skiatook/skiatooklake.htm  "Skiatook Lake, Oklahoma."] Retrieved June 1, 2014.</ref>
Elevated {{convert|714.0|ft|m}} above sea level, the lake has a surface area of about {{convert|10,500|acre|km2}} and {{convert|160|mi|km|-1}} of shoreline.<ref>[http://www.lakelubbers.com/skiatook-lake-661/ Lakelubbers. "Skiatook Lake, Oklahoma, USA."]</ref><ref>[http://www.oklahomafishingguides.com/Lake-Skiatook/index.html Oklahoma Fishing Guide. Lake Skiatook.] Retrieved July 26, 2013.</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Update|section|date=March 2023}}

{{US Census population
|1910= 606
|1920= 1653
|1930= 1789
|1940= 1496
|1950= 1734
|1960= 2503
|1970= 2930
|1980= 3596
|1990= 4910
|2000= 5396
|2010= 7397
|2020= 8450
|footnote=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usbeacon.com/Oklahoma/Skiatook.html|title=Skiatook, Oklahoma (OK) ~ population data, races, housing & economy|access-date=12 January 2016}}</ref>
}}

In the 2010 census, there were 7,397 people, 2,796 households, and 1,989 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|456.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,125 housing units at an average density of {{convert|145.3|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the town was 73.3% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.6% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 17.7% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.6% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.6% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 8.86% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.9% of the population.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_DP_DPDP1&prodType=table |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190521214830/https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_DP_DPDP1&prodType=table |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 May 2019 |title=American FactFinder – Results |author=Data Access and Dissemination Systems (DADS) |access-date=12 January 2016 }}</ref>

There were 2,796 households, out of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 31.0% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,617, and the median income for a family was $52,072. Males had a median income of $30,873 versus $21,419 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $19,943. About 9.4% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 17.7% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_5YR_DP03&prodType=table|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212213253/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_5YR_DP03&prodType=table|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 February 2020|title=American FactFinder – Results|author=Data Access and Dissemination Systems (DADS)|access-date=12 January 2016}}</ref>

==Government==
[[Image:Skiatook.jpg|thumb|Sign on Hwy-20]]
Skiatook has a city government with a 7-member [[city council]] and a City Manager. City public services include a full-time fire department, which also provides emergency medical service for Skiatook and the surrounding rural area (approx. {{convert|500|sqmi|km2|-1}}); a full-time police department with 24-hour E911 communications center; and refuse service, sanitation and sewage. The city is responsible for a comprehensive city plan and for zoning.

In May 2019, the city council voted unanimously for Roger Upton to serve as Mayor for the next two years. Herb Forbes will serve as Vice Mayor during the same period.<ref>[https:/ /www.tulsaworld.com/communities/skiatook/news/roger-upton-new-mayor/article_517e0edf-8cfb-5105-9672-0a97e56aaa18.html#tncms-source=infinity-scroll-summary-siderail-latest Chastain, Lindsey, "Roger Upton new mayor." ''Skiatook Journal''. May 15, 2019.] Accessed June 12, 2019.</ref>

===Parks and recreation===

In 2010 Skiatook opened a $2.3 million park that features splash pads, new playground equipment and even a pond and walking trails.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kjrh.com/dpp/news/local_news/new-central-park-opens-in-skiatook |title=New central park opens in Skiatook |access-date=2013-06-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203090846/http://www.kjrh.com/dpp/news/local_news/new-central-park-opens-in-skiatook |archive-date=2010-12-03 }}</ref>

Osage Trail walking trail is 14.5 miles long, starting in Skiatook.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.incog.org/Transportation/trailguide/Osage/osageprairie.htm|title=INCOG – Tulsa, OK – Regional Partners – Regional Solutions|access-date=12 January 2016}}</ref>
Skiatook residents enjoy multiple recreational opportunities, including Osage Park, John Zink Park, Smith Park, the Skiatook Sports Park, soccer fields, tennis courts, a nine-hole golf course, a driving range, shooting range, and [[Skiatook Lake]]. There are numerous little leagues (football, baseball, softball, soccer) and an adult soccer league.

The Osage Prairie Trail was constructed with [[Vision 2025]] funds, and this {{convert|14|mi|km|0}} jogging and bike trail connects Skiatook to Tulsa's extensive bike and jogging trail system. The Skiatook community pool was opened in the 1950s, and provided swimming lessons to thousands of Skiatook children. Due to deteriorating conditions, the old pool was closed in 2001. The new pool opened to the public on June 2, 2007.<ref>[http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18372241&BRD=2754&PAG=461&dept_id=574072&rfi=6 Neighbor Newspapers – New pool ready to go, more staff needed<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{dead link|date=May 2011}}</ref>

===Public Schools===

Most of Skiatook is served by the [[Skiatook Public Schools]] district. All of Skiatook in Osage County,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st40_ok/schooldistrict_maps/c40113_osage/DC20SD_C40113.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Osage County, OK|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-01-28}}</ref> and most of it in Tulsa County is in the district. The other Tulsa County part is in [[Collinsville Public Schools]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st40_ok/schooldistrict_maps/c40143_tulsa/DC20SD_C40143.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Tulsa County, OK|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-01-28}}</ref>

The first Skiatook Public Schools School Board was elected in 1907 after statehood. The district originally operated out of one building on the corner of 2nd and B streets. In 1908, a bond paid for a new school in the block between 3rd and 4th streets and Osage and B streets. An addition was added to this building in 1913 and an annex was built in 1920 on 3rd and Osage. In 1922, the town approved a new high school and junior high to be built. In 1929, the original school building burned down, leading to the building of a new elementary school in 1930. In the 1960s a new junior high school was built and in 1968 Marrs Elementary was built. In 1976, the current high school was built with a sports complex added in 1978, an auditorium added in 1979. A football stadium, baseball field, soccer field, and agriculture building were also built around the high school. In 1990, Newman Middle School was built and named after former Superintendent Jim Newman. In 2013 Skiatook Elementary was built. <ref name="SPS-History">{{cite web |title=History |url=https://www.skiatookschools.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/About%20SPS%7CHistory |website=skiatookschools.org |publisher=Skiatook Public Schools |access-date=9 August 2022}}</ref>

Currently operating Skiatook Public Schools include: 
*Joyce Jech Early Childhood Center<ref>{{cite web |title=Early Childhood Center |url=https://www.skiatookschools.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Schools%7CEarly%20Childhood%20Center |website=skiatookschools.org |publisher=Skiatook Public Schools |access-date=9 August 2022}}</ref>
*Marrs Elementary<ref>{{cite web |title=Marrs Elementary School |url=https://www.skiatookschools.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Schools%7CMarrs%20Elementary%3E%3EMarrs%20Information |website=skiatookschools.org |publisher=Skiatook Public Schools |access-date=9 August 2022}}</ref>
*Skiatook Elementary<ref>{{cite web |title=Skiatook Elementary |url=https://www.skiatookschools.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Schools%7CSkiatook%20Elementary |website=skiatookschools.org |publisher=Skiatook Public Schools |access-date=9 August 2022}}</ref>
*Skiatook Intermediate Elementary<ref>{{cite web |title=Skiatook Intermediate Elementary |url=https://www.skiatookschools.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Schools%7CSkiatook%20Intermediate%20Elementary%3E%3ESIE%20Information |website=skiatookschools.org |publisher=Skiatook Public Schools |access-date=9 August 2022}}</ref>
*Newman Middle School<ref>{{cite web |title=Newman Middle School |url=https://www.skiatookschools.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Schools%7CNewman%20Middle%20School%3E%3ENMS%20Information |website=skiatookschools.org |publisher=Skiatook Public Schools |access-date=9 August 2022}}</ref>
*Skiatook High School<ref>{{cite web |title=Skiatook High School |url=https://www.skiatookschools.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Schools%7CSkiatook%20High%20School |website=skiatookschools.org |publisher=Skiatook Public Schools |access-date=9 August 2022}}</ref>
*Skiatook Virtual Academy (virtual school for 6th-12th grades)<ref>{{cite web |title=Skiatook Virtual Academy |url=https://www.skiatookschools.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Schools%7CSkiatook%20Virtual%20Academy |website=skiatookschools.org |publisher=Skiatook Public Schools |access-date=9 August 2022}}</ref>

==Arts and culture==

The Skiatook Museum was organized in April 1976. In the early 21st century, the Skiatook Museum moved into the former home of doctor W. G. Phillips. The home, built in 1912, contained his office.<ref name = "EOHC" />

==Media==

'''Skiatook in film'''
*Parts of the 1983 film adaptation of [[S.E. Hinton]]'s novel ''[[The Outsiders (novel)|The Outsiders]]'' were filmed in locations around Skiatook, but it was called Windrixville.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
*Parts of the 2020 film ''[[Minari (film)|Minari]]'' were filmed in and around Skiatook.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chastain |first1=Lindsey |title=Minari movie filming in Skiatook |url=https://tulsaworld.com/community/skiatook/news/minari-movie-filming-in-skiatook/article_472ab3fc-ee42-5d99-978e-5b98eb084753.html |access-date=30 November 2021 |publisher=Tulsa World |date=15 August 2019}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Tulsa metro}}
{{Osage County, Oklahoma}}
{{Tulsa County, Oklahoma}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Skiatook, Oklahoma|*]]
[[Category:Cherokee towns in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Cities in Osage County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Cities in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Populated places within the Osage Nation reservation]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1872]]
[[Category:1872 establishments in Indian Territory]]
[[Category:Tulsa metropolitan area]]