Editing Sulphur, Oklahoma

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Sulphur, Oklahoma
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = "City of Springs"
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Chickasaw Nation Artesian Hotel and Spa - Sulphur, Oklahoma 2-15-2014.jpg
|image_caption            = Chickasaw Nation [[The Artesian Hotel|Artesian Hotel]] (2014)
|image_flag               =
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = OKMap-doton-Sulphur.PNG
|map_caption              = Location of Sulphur, Oklahoma
|image_map1               =
|map_caption1             =

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates              = {{coord|34|30|33|N|96|58|31|W|region:US_type:city|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        = [[Murray County, Oklahoma|Murray]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     =
|government_type          =
|leader_title             =
|leader_name              =
|leader_title1            =
|leader_name1             =
|established_title        = 2000
|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_total_km2           = 18.21
|area_land_km2            = 17.75
|area_water_km2           = 0.47
|area_total_sq_mi         = 7.03
|area_land_sq_mi          = 6.85
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.18

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     =
|population_total         = 5065
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|pop_est_footnotes        = 
|population_est           = 
|population_density_sq_mi = 739.20
|population_density_km2   = 285.41

<!-- 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             = 981
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 73086
|area_code                = 580
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 40-71350<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              = 2411997<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2411997}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|http://www.sulphurok.city/|City website}}
}}

'''Sulphur''' is a city in and [[county seat]] of [[Murray County, Oklahoma|Murray County]], [[Oklahoma]], United States.<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}}</ref> The population was 5,065 at the [[United States Census, 2020|2020 census]], a 2.8 percent gain over the figure of 4,929 in 2010.<ref name=2020Census/>  The area around Sulphur has been noted for its mineral springs, since well before the city was founded late in the 19th century. The city received its name from the presence of sulfur in the water.<ref name="EOHC-Sulphur">{{cite web|url= http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=SU005|last= Muncrief|first= Dennis|title= Sulphur|publisher= Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture|accessdate= October 13, 2016}}</ref>{{efn|When the city was founded, either '''sulphur''' or '''sulfur''' was acceptable spelling for the name of the chemical element in English. Later in the 20th century, sulfur was accepted as the standard by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). However, the original spelling has been retained by the city for its name.}}

==History==
This area was part of [[Pickens County, Chickasaw Nation]] in the [[Indian Territory]] during the late 19th century. The first known settler was Noah Lael, son-in-law of former Chickasaw Governor Cyrus Harris, who built a ranch south of Pavilion Springs in 1878. In 1882, Harris sold the ranch to Perry Froman, a part Chickasaw rancher. The ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture'' says the ranch house was the first residence in Sulphur.<ref name="EOHC-Sulphur"/>

About 1890, a group of fisherman built a clubhouse at the Sulphur site. Conventions and other gatherings began meeting in the vicinity during the early 1890s. The clubhouse owners enlarged the building and sold it for use as a hotel. Richard A. Sneed, a lawyer who visited the area about 1890 and soon after organized the Sulphur Springs Company. The company bought {{convert|600|acres|km2}} of land from Froman Ranch and platted a townsite. A post office named Sulphur was established October 2, 1895.<ref name="EOHC-Sulphur"/>  The ''Sulphur Headlight'', the first newspaper in town, began publication in 1899, and the first telephone exchange in town went into service in 1900.<ref name="OKGenWeb">[http://www.visitmurraycountyok.com/sulphur.html "Murray County, Oklahoma."] OK Gen Web. Accessed October 13, 2016.</ref>

In the late Spring of 1903, the [[Sulphur Springs Railway]] was completed between Sulphur and [[Scullin, Oklahoma|Scullin]], a distance of about {{convert|9|miles|km}}, connecting at Scullin to the newly completed [[St. Louis and San Francisco Railway |St. Louis and San Francisco Railway (Frisco)]].<ref name=SSR>{{cite web|url= https://www.okgenweb.net/~okmurray/Murray/sulphur_springs_railway_company.htm |title=Sulphur Springs Railway Company|publisher= Dennis Muncrief, OKGenWeb, June 2001|accessdate=November 1, 2021}}</ref><ref name="OKGenWeb"/> The Frisco bought the Sulphur Springs Railway in 1907.<ref name="EOHC-Sulphur"/><ref>{{cite web|url= https://digitalprairie.ok.gov/digital/collection/okresources/id/70316 |title=Sulphur Springs Railway|publisher=Railroads of Oklahoma, June 6, 1870-April 1, 1978, p. 81|accessdate=November 1, 2021}}</ref>

In 1902, the U.S. Government and the Chickasaw Nation agreed to preserve the area around the springs, and called it the Sulphur Springs Reservation, later renaming it as Platt National Park.{{efn| The park was named for Senator Orville H. Platt from Connecticut, who sponsored the legislation. For 74 years, Platt was Oklahoma's only National Park. Platt National Park was abolished by Congress, and made part of the much larger Chickasaw National Recreation Area (CNRA) in 1976, which included Lake of the Arbuckles.<ref name="ColdSplinters">[http://www.coldsplinters.com/2010/08/platt-national-parkoklahoma-oasis/ Cold Splinters. "Platt National Park/Oklahoma Oasis."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224105723/http://www.coldsplinters.com/2010/08/platt-national-parkoklahoma-oasis/ |date=December 24, 2013 }} Retrieved December 22, 2013.</ref> }} People and buildings were required to move out of the reservation area. The people resettled nearby, creating two communities, West Sulphur and East Sulphur, divided by Rock Creek. Another such move occurred in 1904, when the U.S, government decided to add another {{convert|200| acres|km2}} to the new park.<ref name="OKGenWeb"/> The reservation officially opened to the public on  April 29, 1904.<ref name="NPS-Creating the Park">[http://www.nps.gov/chic/historyculture/pnp-1900s.htm National Park Service. Chickasaw National Recreation Area.] "Creating the Park:1902-1910."Retrieved December 24, 2013.</ref>  Platt National Park was abolished by Congress and made part of the much larger Chickasaw National Recreation Area (CNRA) in 1976, which included Lake of the Arbuckles.<ref name="ColdSplinters">[http://www.coldsplinters.com/2010/08/platt-national-parkoklahoma-oasis/ Cold Splinters. "Platt National Park/Oklahoma Oasis."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224105723/http://www.coldsplinters.com/2010/08/platt-national-parkoklahoma-oasis/ |date=December 24, 2013 }} Retrieved December 22, 2013.</ref>

Sulphur defeated [[Davis, Oklahoma]] in an election in 1908 to determine the location of the county seat of the newly created Murray County.<ref name="EOHC-Sulphur"/>

A tornado touched down just northwest of the town on [[Tornado outbreak of May 7–10, 2016|May 9, 2016]]. It was rated EF3 and did severe damage to homes and trees in the area.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.weather.gov/oun/events-20160509 |title=The Severe Weather and Tornado Outbreak of May 9, 2016 |publisher=National Weather Service |accessdate=17 July 2022}}</ref> Late at night on April 27, 2024, the city was hit by [[2024 Sulphur tornado|a destructive tornado]] as part of a much larger [[Tornado outbreak of April 26–28, 2024|tornado outbreak]] that impacted southern and northern parts of Oklahoma. There was one confirmed fatality in Sulphur, and the majority of the town suffered substantial damage as a direct hit of the tornado.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Money |first=Josh Dulaney and Jack |title=Gov. Kevin Stitt: Sulphur tornado damage the worst he's seen as governor |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2024/04/28/gov-kevin-stitt-says-sulphur-tornado-damage-the-worst-hes-seen-as-governor/73493838007/ |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=The Oklahoman |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|7.0|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|6.8|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.2|sqmi|km2}} (2.16%) is water. Sulphur is in southern Oklahoma, about {{convert|84|mile|km}} southeast of [[Oklahoma City]].<ref name="EOHC-Sulphur"/>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1900= 1198
|1910= 3684
|1920= 3607
|1930= 4242
|1940= 4970
|1950= 4389
|1960= 4737
|1970= 5158
|1980= 5516
|1990= 4824
|2000= 4794
|2010= 4929
|2020= 5065
|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><ref name="2020Census">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/search-results.html?searchType=web&cssp=SERP&q=Sulphur%20city,%20Oklahoma|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=May 27, 2022}}</ref>
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 4,794 people, 1,877 households, and 1,244 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|703.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,220 housing units at an average density of {{convert|325.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 79.45% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.36% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 12.72% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.38% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.52% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 4.53% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 4.80% of the population.

There were 1,877 households, out of which 100.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,236, and the median income for a family was $35,000. Males had a median income of $28,712 versus $19,438 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $15,691. About 7.9% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 13.5% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
Although extraction industries (asphalt, lead, and zinc mines) have long been important, tourism has become the primary support to the local economy.<ref name="EOHC-Sulphur"/>

==Attractions==
[[Image:arbuckle mts.jpg|thumb|right|Travertine Creek, in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, located in the foothills of the Arbuckles near Sulphur.]]

[[Chickasaw National Recreation Area]] (originally Platt National Park), a popular destination for many regional tourists, is located just south of the town of Sulphur.<ref name="EOHC-CNRA">{{cite web|url= http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=CH035 |title= Chickasaw National Recreation Area|author= Constance A. Rudd|publisher= Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture|accessdate=May 15, 2023}}</ref> Principal attractions in Sulphur besides the park are sulfurous water springs in town that were once thought to cure ailments and other medical conditions. The pungent odor and taste are quite popular with some people. Other attractions include the Arbuckle Mountain range, just to the southwest, complete with many hiking and recreational opportunities.

Sulphur is also the home to the [[Chickasaw Cultural Center]], a museum which tells the story of the [[Chickasaw Nation]].

Vendome Well remains the state's largest artesian spring. Its sulfur water fed a stream that converged with Travertine Creek and formed a small lake. People smeared the lake's mud on their bodies to cure ailments.<ref name="EOHC-Sulphur"/>

==Government==
Each of the city's five wards has a councilor, and the councilors collectively form the city's governing body.<ref name ="City" /> As of 2020, Andy Freeman currently serves as City Manager.<ref name="City">{{cite web | url= http://sulphurok.city/ | title= City Information | publisher= City of Sulphur, Oklahoma | access-date=January 28, 2020}}</ref>

==Education==
The city of Sulphur is served by the [[Sulphur Public Schools|Sulphur Public School District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st40_ok/schooldistrict_maps/c40099_murray/DC20SD_C40099.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Murray County, OK|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-03-19}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st40_ok/schooldistrict_maps/c40099_murray/DC20SD_C40099_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> The first public school opened in 1904. There is one elementary, intermediate, junior high and high school. During 2008, the enrollment for the district was at 1,383 students.

Athletics are a major piece of the school culture in Sulphur. Football is the most popular sport, and the Bulldogs have won State Championships in class 3A (2002) and 2A (2004). They were the 3A state runner-up in 2003. Powerlifting, basketball and baseball are also popular sports. The Bulldogs have won state championships in both baseball (1966 and 2004) and powerlifting (2005 and 2006). There has been a long and heated rivalry between Sulphur and the neighboring town of [[Davis, OK]], located just 7 miles to the west, known locally as the Murray County Bedlam.

[[Oklahoma School for the Deaf]] is also located in Sulphur, Oklahoma. It opened in 1908 to provide the same educational opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing students as other schools provide for hearing students. These also include participation in sports: football, volleyball, track, etc.

==Infrastructure==

===Roads and highways===
Major highways are:
* [[Oklahoma State Highway 7]]
* [[Oklahoma State Highway 7 Spur]]
* [[Chickasaw Turnpike]]
* [[U.S. Route 177]]

==Notable people==
* [[Loyd Arms]] won the NCAA Wrestling National Championship in the heavyweight division. Arms was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals with the 129th overall selection of the 1943 NFL Draft.
* [[Wayne Bennett (blues guitarist)|Wayne Bennett]], [[blues]] guitarist, was born in Sulphur.
* [[Roy Joseph Turner]] served as state governor from 1947 to 1951. Turner was born on November 6, 1894, in Lincoln County, Oklahoma Territory. [[Turner Turnpike]], linking [[Tulsa]] with [[Oklahoma City]] was named for him.

==See also==
* [[Chickasaw National Recreation Area]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Sulphur (Oklahoma)}}
* [http://www.sulphurokla.com Sulphur Chamber of Commerce]
* [https://www.nps.gov/chic/learn/historyculture/upload/EthnoStudy_Chickasaw.pdf Wray, Jacilee and Alexa Roberts. ''An Ethnohistory of the Relationship between the Community of Sulphur, Oklahoma and Chickasaw National Recreation Area''. Chickasaw National Recreation Area. July 29, 2004.]

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

[[Category:Cities in Murray County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Cities in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:County seats in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Spa towns in the United States]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1882]]
[[Category:1882 establishments in Indian Territory]]