Editing Wilburton, Oklahoma

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Wilburton, Oklahoma
|settlement_type          = [[City]]

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = 
|image_caption            = 
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

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

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates_footnotes    = 
|coordinates              = {{coord|34|55|6|N|95|18|38|W|region:US-OK_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        = [[Latimer County, Oklahoma|Latimer]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = [[Aldermanic]]
|leader_title             = Mayor 
|leader_name              = Loran Mayes
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =

<!-- 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_km2           = 8.10
|area_land_km2            = 8.05
|area_water_km2           = 0.05
|area_total_sq_mi         = 3.13
|area_land_sq_mi          = 3.11
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.02
|unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_ft             = 659
|elevation_m              = 201

<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 2285
|pop_est_footnotes        = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|population_est           = 
|population_density_sq_mi = 735.20

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone|CST]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 74578
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|area_code                = [[area codes 539 and 918|539/918]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 40-81000<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 ID]]
|blank1_info              = 1099754<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|http://www.cityofwilburton.com|cityofwilburton.com}}
|footnotes                = 
|population_density_km2 = 283.84
}}

'''Wilburton''' is a city in [[Latimer County, Oklahoma|Latimer County]], [[Oklahoma]], United States. It is the [[county seat]] of Latimer County.<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 city had a population of 2,285 as of the 2020 Census.<ref name=2020Census>{{cite web|url= https://www.census.gov/search-results.html?searchType=web&cssp=SERP&q=Wilburton%20city,%20Oklahoma|title= Wilburton (city), Oklahoma|publisher= United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 13, 2023}}</ref>  [[Robbers Cave State Park]] is {{convert|5|mi|km}} north of Wilburton.<ref name = "EOHC-Wilburton">Johnston, Betty Wooldridge.  ''Oklahoma Encyclopedia of History and Culture''. "Wilburton." Retrieved March 5, 2015.[http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=WI007]</ref>

==History==
[[File:Loading coal in the strip pits, Wilburton, Indian Terr. (Oklahoma), ca. 1898 - NARA - 516380.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Men and horses hitched to wagons are in a large trench. One wagon is full of coal.|Loading coal in the strip pits at a coal mine in Wilburton, 1898]]

The community now known as Wilburton was originally established as a group of settlers living around Riddle's Station, a stop for the [[Butterfield Overland Mail]] stagecoach along the trail from [[Fort Smith, Arkansas]] to [[Fort Worth, Texas]]. Riddle's Station was built in 1858 and the Overland Stage operated from 1857 to 1861. According to the ''Oklahoma Encyclopedia of History and Culture'', it was likely named for Will Burton, a contractor and surveyor who was involved in platting the townsite and building the [[Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad|Choctaw Coal and Railway Company]] line from [[Wister, Oklahoma|Wister]] to [[McAlester, Oklahoma|McAlester]].<ref name = "EOHC-Wilburton"/> According to ''Oklahoma Place Names'', it was named after Elisha Wilbur, who was the president of the [[Lehigh Valley Railroad]].<ref name="OK-place-names">Shirk, George H. ''Oklahoma Place Names'', Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1965, p.222.</ref> The post office was established at Wilburton, Indian Territory in 1891.<ref name="OK-place-names"/> At the time of its founding, the community was located in [[Sans Bois County, Choctaw Nation|Sans Bois County]], a part of the [[Moshulatubbee District]] of the [[Choctaw Nation]].<ref>Morris, John W. ''Historical Atlas of Oklahoma'' (Norman: University of Oklahoma, 1986), plate 38.</ref>

On 18 January 1926, ninety-one people were killed in a coal mine explosion in or near Wilburton.<ref>{{cite news |title="Disasters" |url=https://archive.org/details/powell-valley-news-1927/page/n2/mode/1up |access-date=21 August 2023 |publisher=Powell Valley News |date=7 January 1927}}</ref>

A tornado struck Wilburton on [[May 1960 tornado outbreak sequence|May 5, 1960]], and injured more than one hundred people and killed thirteen.<ref name = "EOHC-Wilburton"/>

Initially, the local economy was based on cattle production and shipping. Then, during the 1890s and early 20th century, coal mining became the largest industry. In 1909, the state established the Oklahoma School of Mines and Metallurgy in Wilburton. The school name was later changed to Eastern Oklahoma A&M College and it is now known as [[Eastern Oklahoma State College]].<ref name = "EOHC-Wilburton"/>

==Geography==
Wilburton is located at {{coord|34|55|6|N|95|18|38|W|type:city}} (34.918379, -95.310645).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>  According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|3.0|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|3.0|sqmi|km2}} is land and 0.33% is water.

==Government==
Wilburton has a statutory [[aldermanic]] form of government.<ref name = "EOHC-Wilburton"/>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1910= 2277
|1920= 2226
|1930= 1524
|1940= 1925
|1950= 1939
|1960= 1772
|1970= 2504
|1980= 2996
|1990= 3092
|2000= 2972
|2010= 2843
|2020= 2285
|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/>
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 2,972 people, 1,004 households, and 674 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|997.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,200 housing units at an average density of {{convert|402.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 74.93% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.35% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 16.92% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.30% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.87% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 5.59% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.36% of the population.

There were 1,004 households, out of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 20.5% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 16.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $20,878, and the median income for a family was $25,543. Males had a median income of $22,917 versus $18,684 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $9,503. About 20.5% of families and 24.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 31.8% of those under age 18 and 18.0% of those age 65 or over.

==Parks and recreation==

City of Wilburton park facilities include the Gary Rosebure Recreational Park.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cityofwilburton.com/Government/OtherDepartments/ParksRecreation.aspx |title=Parks & Recreation|publisher=City of Wilburton|access-date=August 3, 2020}}</ref>

Sycamore Springs Golf Course is a 9-hole, semi-private golf course opened in 1970.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/11252-sycamore-springs-golf-course | title= Sycamore Springs Golf Course|publisher=GolfAdvisor|access-date=August 3, 2020}}</ref>

[[Robbers Cave State Park]], which encompasses Lake Carlton, Lake Wayne Wallace, and Coon Creek Lake, is located approximately {{convert|5|mi|0}} north-northwest of the town.<ref name=GoogleMaps>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wilburton,+OK+74578/@34.9306203,-95.3712179,12z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x87b56dff7f333be5:0xc16ec2dbc10fb4a2!8m2!3d34.91871!4d-95.3091383 |title=Wilburton, Oklahoma|publisher=Google Maps|access-date=August 3, 2020}}</ref>

Lloyd Church Lake to the south-southeast of town.<ref name=GoogleMaps />

==Education==

===Primary and secondary education===
The Wilburton Public School District oversees the Grace Russell Elementary School, the John G. Shero Middle School, and the Nancy W. Taylor High School.

===Adult education===
[[Eastern Oklahoma State College]] (formerly known as Oklahoma School of Mines and Metallurgy and later as Eastern Oklahoma A&M College) and [[Kiamichi Technology Center]] are located in Wilburton.<ref name = "EOHC-Wilburton"/>

==Transportation==
Wilburton is served by [[US Route 270]] and [[Oklahoma State Highway 2]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wilburton,+OK+74578/@34.92107,-95.3795742,12.38z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x87b56dff7f333be5:0xc16ec2dbc10fb4a2!8m2!3d34.91871!4d-95.3091383 |title=Wilburton, Oklahoma|publisher=Google Maps|accessdate=August 29, 2021}}</ref>

Wilburton is in the region served by the [[KI BOIS Area Transit System]] ("KATS"), a low-cost public bus/van service established in 1983 to help communities, primarily in southeast Oklahoma, by providing access to Senior Citizen centers, groceries, medical services, and jobs.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/transit/s5311/kibois.htm  |title=Oklahoma Department of Transportation Website-- KI BOIS Area Transit System | access-date=2011-06-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.kibois.org/KATSWilburton.html |title=Wilburton|publisher=KI BOIS Area Transit System|accessdate=August 29, 2021}}</ref>

Wilburton Municipal Airport (FAA ID: H05) is 4 miles west of town, and features a 3000’ x 60’ paved runway.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.airnav.com/airport/H05 |title= Wilburton Municipal Airport|publisher=AirNav.com|accessdate=August 29, 2021}}</ref>

Commercial air transportation is available out of [[Fort Smith Regional Airport]], about 70 miles northeast.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.travelmath.com/nearest-airport/Wilburton,+OK |title=Major airports near Wilburton, Oklahoma|publisher=travelmath.com|accessdate=August 29, 2021}}</ref>

The town has freight rail service through the [[Arkansas-Oklahoma Railroad]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.aokrr.com/7.html |title=Freight Services|publisher=Arkansas-Oklahoma Railroad Co.|accessdate=August 29, 2021}}</ref>  That line in turn interchanges with the [[Kansas City Southern Railway]] at [[Howe, Oklahoma]],<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.kcsouthern.com/pdf/short-line/aok-arkansas-oklahoma-railroad.pdf |title=AOK: Arkansas-Oklahoma Railroad|publisher=Kansas City Southern Lines|accessdate=August 29, 2021}}</ref> and with the [[Union Pacific Railway]] at [[McAlester, Oklahoma]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.up.com/customers/shortline/profiles_a-c/aok/index.htm |title=Arkansas-Oklahoma Railroad|publisher=Union Pacific|accessdate=August 29, 2021}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.cityofwilburton.com}}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070109170328/http://wilburtonchamber.com/ Wilburton Chamber of Commerce]}}
* [http://www.wilburton.k12.ok.us Wilburton Public School District]
* [http://www.latimer.lib.ok.us/ Latimer County Public Library]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121024013411/http://www.library.okstate.edu/okmaps/ Oklahoma Digital Maps: Digital Collections of Oklahoma and Indian Territory]

{{Latimer County, Oklahoma}}
{{Oklahoma county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Latimer County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Cities in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:County seats in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma]]