Atoka, Oklahoma
Encyclopedia
Atoka is a city in Atoka County
, Oklahoma
, United States
. The population was 3,052 at the 2010 census
. It is the county seat
of Atoka County
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 8.5 square miles (22 km²), of which, 8.4 square miles (21.8 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.71%) is water.
Nation and the signer of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek, which began the process of re-locating the Choctaw
people from Mississippi
to Oklahoma
in 1830. He was believed to be buried near the town of Farris
. Atoka is the site of the oldest Catholic
parish in Indian Territory
, the oldest chapter of the Freemasons in Oklahoma, and the oldest chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star
in Oklahoma
.
confrontation occurred on February 13, 1864 north of Atoka. Early in 1864, Colonel William A. Philips set out with some 1500 Union troops from Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, to cut a swath through Confederate Indian Territory (Oklahoma). Their purpose was to break Confederate control over Indian Territory and gain the support and possibly recruits from the Native Americans.
Along the way, Colonel Phillips sent out an advance of about 350 men toward Boggy Depot, a large Confederate supply base located on the Texas Road with the intention of capturing the outpost. While enroute, his command encountered a small Confederate camp on the banks of the Middle Boggy River, made up of around 90 Confederate soldiers.
In the ensuing skirmish 47 Confederate soldiers were killed. Among the dead were those wounded who had been left behind when their comrades retreated. They were found on the battlefield with their throats slashed. There were no Union deaths as a result of the battle.
Indians had inhabited the area since the 1830s with a small town located near the city today, the city was officially founded by a Baptist
Missionary named J.S. Murrow in 1867 and quickly supplanted the dying town of Boggy Depot as the chief city in Atoka County. A main contributing factor in the early growth of Atoka was the MKT Railroad, which came through the area in the early 1870s. The railroad provided the economic lifeblood to Atoka that any isolated rural town needs to survive and flourish.
Also during this time about 1896, the third Governor of Oklahoma
and first Chief Justice
of the Oklahoma Supreme Court
, Robert L. Williams
, moved to Atoka (then a part of the old Indian Territory
) from Troy, Alabama
.
However, there is a beacon of hope for Atoka in the future. For the past several years, economic growth has been steadily moving northward along U.S. 75 from Dallas, Texas
. Two towns located to the south of Atoka, Durant, Oklahoma
; and Sherman, Texas
, are experiencing tremendous economic and population growth. As this wave of development gradually moves north, the next town in line is the city of Atoka. If the growth continues, it is possible that Atoka could begin to see the type of expansion currently underway across the Red River
to the south.
.
The office of Mayor of Atoka is largely a ceremonial position, as most executive authority is held by the City Manager, who acts on behalf of the council. The current city manager is Don Walker. The current mayor Charles A. McCall III, elected in 2005, now serving his second term.
's 2nd House Congressional District, of which Dan Boren
is the representative. The city is also included in State House District 20 and State Senate District 5, of which State Representative Paul D. Roan and Senator Jerry Ellis represent respectively in the state legislature.
For further details, refer to the Oklahoma State Election Board's Election Results and Statistics for the 2006 elections
, the City Council, and various other local leaders to create new industrial jobs in Atoka and Atoka County. Currently, an industrial park is open for development north of the city on U.S. Highway 69, as well as a smaller park on U.S. Highway 75 west of town.
In August 2006, the city's largest employer, Ethan Allen Furniture, announced that it would be closing its Atoka plant in favor of "selected off-shore vendors", as reported in the The Oklahoman
following the announcement of the plant's closing. With the closure of the Ethan Allen plant, located north of the city proper, more than two hundred people lost their jobs (many of whom had held them since the plant opened). As of May, 2007, Ethan Allen has resumed operations at the Atoka plant, converting the former manufacturing facility to a distribution center.
Four highways intersect in the town of Atoka: U.S. Highway 69 (a major transportation artery that travels from Texas
to Minnesota
), State Highway 3, State Highway 7, and U.S. Highway 75, thus making it a convenient stop for motorists. It is located where Highway 69 and U.S. Highway 75 converge (heading south toward Texoma
).
In addition to revenue generated at convenience stores, fast-food restaurants, etc., Atoka (and Atoka County) is a popular hunting and fishing area; as well, scenic tourism plays a small, albeit important role in the city's economy. An effort is currently underway to place Atoka along a scenic byway.
and KTEN
, television stations broadcasting from Sherman, Texas
.
Tradio, a locally well-known radio show, is broadcast every weekday morning and is hosted by John Reuben. The shows consists of callers advertising items such as cars, furniture and animals, or events such as auctions and garage sales over the air. The tagline for show is, "Good morning, you're on Tradio," which is repeated by Reuben as he answers each call.
has students from all over Atoka County, although there are three other small high schools in Caney
, Stringtown
, and Tushka
. The Atoka Public Schools mascot is the Wampus cat
. There are also three elementary schools in Atoka County, at Harmony, Oklahoma
, Lane, Oklahoma
, and Farris, Oklahoma
.
, Choir, Agricultural Education (FFA) Parliamentary Procedure Team was National Semi-Finalist in 2007, Drama, etc. The Mock Trial
team has won the Oklahoma state competition six times. They also offer sports such as baseball, softball, track and field, football, golf, and powerlifting and have represented Atoka in the state playoffs in many sports. In the summer of 2006, the Atoka School Board voted to build a cafetorium. The new Cafetorium opened in August 2007. With the new cafeteria, the High School is closed campus. Students have 3 or 4 options for lunch every day. Along with a first class stage and dressing facilities, a new band room was included.
. The Atoka campus offers courses in Business Information Technology, Computer Repair, Cosmetology
, Child Care, Nursing
, Auto Mechanics, and Carpentry
.
of 2000, there were 2,988 people, 1,277 households, and 735 families residing in the city. The population density
was 354.7 people per square mile (137.0/km²). There were 1,499 housing units at an average density of 178.0 per square mile (68.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.86% White, 11.51% African American, 10.27% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.10% from other races
, and 4.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.90% of the population.
There were 1,277 households out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% were married couples
living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.4% were non-families. 39.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 22.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 78.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $18,361, and the median income for a family was $22,344. Males had a median income of $25,431 versus $19,495 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $12,017. About 19.1% of families and 25.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.9% of those under age 18 and 17.8% of those age 65 or over.
Atoka County, Oklahoma
Atoka County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma, and was formed in 1907 from Choctaw Lands. As of 2000, the population is 13,879. Its county seat is Atoka.-Geography:...
, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 3,052 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Atoka County
Atoka County, Oklahoma
Atoka County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma, and was formed in 1907 from Choctaw Lands. As of 2000, the population is 13,879. Its county seat is Atoka.-Geography:...
.
Geography
Atoka is located at 34°23′3"N 96°7′39"W (34.384206, -96.127577).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 8.5 square miles (22 km²), of which, 8.4 square miles (21.8 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.71%) is water.
History
Atoka was named for Captain Atoka, a leader of the ChoctawChoctaw
The Choctaw are a Native American people originally from the Southeastern United States...
Nation and the signer of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek, which began the process of re-locating the Choctaw
Choctaw
The Choctaw are a Native American people originally from the Southeastern United States...
people from Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
to Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
in 1830. He was believed to be buried near the town of Farris
Farris, Oklahoma
Farris is a small unincorporated community in Atoka County, Oklahoma, United States. It lies east of the county seat of Atoka on Highway 3 near the border of the county. There is a small, K-8 grade school at Farris, but those students who are above the eighth grade attend Atoka High School in...
. Atoka is the site of the oldest Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
parish in Indian Territory
Indian Territory
The Indian Territory, also known as the Indian Territories and the Indian Country, was land set aside within the United States for the settlement of American Indians...
, the oldest chapter of the Freemasons in Oklahoma, and the oldest chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star
Order of the Eastern Star
The Order of the Eastern Star is a fraternal organization that both men and women can join. It was established in 1850 by Rob Morris, a lawyer and educator from Boston, Massachusetts, who had been an official with the Freemasons. It is based on teachings from the Bible, but is open to people of all...
in Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
.
Battle of Middle Boggy Depot
A small Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
confrontation occurred on February 13, 1864 north of Atoka. Early in 1864, Colonel William A. Philips set out with some 1500 Union troops from Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, to cut a swath through Confederate Indian Territory (Oklahoma). Their purpose was to break Confederate control over Indian Territory and gain the support and possibly recruits from the Native Americans.
"I take you with me to clean out the Indian Nation south of the river and drive away and destroy rebels. Let me say a few words to you that you are not to forget .... Those who are still in arms are rebels, who ought to die. Do not kill a prisoner after he has surrendered. But I do not ask you to take prisoners. I ask you to make your footsteps severe and terrible. Muskogees! (Creeks) the time has now come when you are to remember the authors of all your sufferings; those who started a needless and wicked war .... Stand by me faithfully and we will soon have peace ...." -- Colonel William A. Philips, to his men before beginning the campaign
Along the way, Colonel Phillips sent out an advance of about 350 men toward Boggy Depot, a large Confederate supply base located on the Texas Road with the intention of capturing the outpost. While enroute, his command encountered a small Confederate camp on the banks of the Middle Boggy River, made up of around 90 Confederate soldiers.
In the ensuing skirmish 47 Confederate soldiers were killed. Among the dead were those wounded who had been left behind when their comrades retreated. They were found on the battlefield with their throats slashed. There were no Union deaths as a result of the battle.
Founding
Though the ChoctawChoctaw
The Choctaw are a Native American people originally from the Southeastern United States...
Indians had inhabited the area since the 1830s with a small town located near the city today, the city was officially founded by a Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
Missionary named J.S. Murrow in 1867 and quickly supplanted the dying town of Boggy Depot as the chief city in Atoka County. A main contributing factor in the early growth of Atoka was the MKT Railroad, which came through the area in the early 1870s. The railroad provided the economic lifeblood to Atoka that any isolated rural town needs to survive and flourish.
Also during this time about 1896, the third Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
and first Chief Justice
Chief Justice
The Chief Justice in many countries is the name for the presiding member of a Supreme Court in Commonwealth or other countries with an Anglo-Saxon justice system based on English common law, such as the Supreme Court of Canada, the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the Court of Final Appeal of...
of the Oklahoma Supreme Court
Oklahoma Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Oklahoma is one of the two highest judicial bodies in the U.S. state of Oklahoma and leads the Oklahoma Court System, the judicial branch of the government of Oklahoma....
, Robert L. Williams
Robert L. Williams
Robert Lee Williams was an American lawyer, judge, and politician who served as the third Governor of Oklahoma. Williams would also play a role in the drafting of the Oklahoma Constitution...
, moved to Atoka (then a part of the old Indian Territory
Indian Territory
The Indian Territory, also known as the Indian Territories and the Indian Country, was land set aside within the United States for the settlement of American Indians...
) from Troy, Alabama
Troy, Alabama
Troy is a city in Pike County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 18,003. Troy experienced a growth spurt of over 4,000+ people since 2000. The city is the county seat of Pike County....
.
Recent developments
Despite being strategically located at the intersection of two major highways (especially U.S. 69, a major transportation artery in the region), Atoka is struggling to create a town attractive to both new business and new residents. Even though the town has experienced an economic upturn in the past few years, it still lacks the main thing that ensures economic prosperity and attracts new residents: well-paying jobs.However, there is a beacon of hope for Atoka in the future. For the past several years, economic growth has been steadily moving northward along U.S. 75 from Dallas, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Two towns located to the south of Atoka, Durant, Oklahoma
Durant, Oklahoma
Durant is a city in Bryan County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 15,877 at the 2010 census. Durant is the principal city of the Durant Micropolitan Statistical Area, which had a population of 42,416 in 2010...
; and Sherman, Texas
Sherman, Texas
Sherman is a city in and the county seat of Grayson County, Texas, United States. The city's estimated population as of 2009 was 38,407. It is also one of two principal cities in the Sherman-Denison Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, are experiencing tremendous economic and population growth. As this wave of development gradually moves north, the next town in line is the city of Atoka. If the growth continues, it is possible that Atoka could begin to see the type of expansion currently underway across the Red River
Red River (Mississippi watershed)
The Red River, or sometimes the Red River of the South, is a major tributary of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers in the southern United States of America. The river gains its name from the red-bed country of its watershed. It is one of several rivers with that name...
to the south.
NRHP Sites
Historical sites in Atoka include the Atoka Armory Building, the First Methodist Church Building, the Old Masonic Temple Building, the Middle Boggy Battlefield Site and Confederate Museum, Old Atoka State Bank, the Pioneer Club Building, and the Waddel's Station Site, all of which are on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Municipal Government
The city of Atoka operates under a home-rule charter with a City Manager/Council form of government. The Atoka City Council has five elected members, which includes the Mayor, and Vice Mayor. Current council members are Elizabeth Frazier, Randy Daniel, Ron McGue, and Bob Frederick.The office of Mayor of Atoka is largely a ceremonial position, as most executive authority is held by the City Manager, who acts on behalf of the council. The current city manager is Don Walker. The current mayor Charles A. McCall III, elected in 2005, now serving his second term.
County Judicial System
Being the county seat of Atoka County, Atoka is the center of the county judicial system. The courthouse is located on Court Street and the building has served as such since 1963 when it replaced the old courthouse. The city judge is David Youngblood and the city attorney is Richard Mayfield.State and National Government
Atoka is included in OklahomaOklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
's 2nd House Congressional District, of which Dan Boren
Dan Boren
Daniel David "Dan" Boren is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. The district includes most of the eastern part of the state outside of Tulsa...
is the representative. The city is also included in State House District 20 and State Senate District 5, of which State Representative Paul D. Roan and Senator Jerry Ellis represent respectively in the state legislature.
For further details, refer to the Oklahoma State Election Board's Election Results and Statistics for the 2006 elections
Economy
Atoka is traditionally a ranching and farming community with its economic base firmly planted in agriculturally related venues. However, in recent years, efforts have been made the Chamber of CommerceChamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
, the City Council, and various other local leaders to create new industrial jobs in Atoka and Atoka County. Currently, an industrial park is open for development north of the city on U.S. Highway 69, as well as a smaller park on U.S. Highway 75 west of town.
In August 2006, the city's largest employer, Ethan Allen Furniture, announced that it would be closing its Atoka plant in favor of "selected off-shore vendors", as reported in the The Oklahoman
The Oklahoman
The Oklahoman is the largest daily newspaper in Oklahoma and is the only daily newspaper that covers the entire Oklahoma City area.-Ownership:...
following the announcement of the plant's closing. With the closure of the Ethan Allen plant, located north of the city proper, more than two hundred people lost their jobs (many of whom had held them since the plant opened). As of May, 2007, Ethan Allen has resumed operations at the Atoka plant, converting the former manufacturing facility to a distribution center.
Four highways intersect in the town of Atoka: U.S. Highway 69 (a major transportation artery that travels from Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
to Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
), State Highway 3, State Highway 7, and U.S. Highway 75, thus making it a convenient stop for motorists. It is located where Highway 69 and U.S. Highway 75 converge (heading south toward Texoma
Texoma
Texoma, a portmanteau of the words Texas and Oklahoma, is used to describe the area on either side of the border between these two states along the Red River valley, in particular the area around Lake Texoma, a popular recreation area...
).
In addition to revenue generated at convenience stores, fast-food restaurants, etc., Atoka (and Atoka County) is a popular hunting and fishing area; as well, scenic tourism plays a small, albeit important role in the city's economy. An effort is currently underway to place Atoka along a scenic byway.
Media
Atoka is serviced by several media outlets, including the Atoka County Times, published weekly on Wednesdays, 102.1 KHKC, a radio station headquartered on the county line between Atoka and Coal Counties, and KXIIKXII
KXII, channel 12, is the CBS-affiliated television station for the Texoma region of Texas and Oklahoma. It is licensed to Sherman, Texas. Its transmitter is located southwest of Madill, Oklahoma...
and KTEN
KTEN
KTEN is the NBC-affiliated television station for Southeastern Oklahoma and North Texas that is licensed to Ada, Oklahoma. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 26 from a transmitter north of Milburn, Oklahoma along OK 7. Owned by the Lockwood Broadcasting Group, the station...
, television stations broadcasting from Sherman, Texas
Sherman, Texas
Sherman is a city in and the county seat of Grayson County, Texas, United States. The city's estimated population as of 2009 was 38,407. It is also one of two principal cities in the Sherman-Denison Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
.
Tradio, a locally well-known radio show, is broadcast every weekday morning and is hosted by John Reuben. The shows consists of callers advertising items such as cars, furniture and animals, or events such as auctions and garage sales over the air. The tagline for show is, "Good morning, you're on Tradio," which is repeated by Reuben as he answers each call.
Education
Being the largest in the county and having the best opportunities for education, the Atoka Public Schools SystemAtoka Independent School District
The Atoka Independent School District is a school district based in Atoka, Oklahoma United States.-External links:* *...
has students from all over Atoka County, although there are three other small high schools in Caney
Caney, Oklahoma
Caney is a town in Atoka County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 199 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Caney is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land....
, Stringtown
Stringtown, Oklahoma
Stringtown is a town in Atoka County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 396 at the 2000 census. It is the second largest town in Atoka County.-Geography:Stringtown is located at ....
, and Tushka
Tushka, Oklahoma
Tushka is a town in Atoka County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 345 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Tushka is located at ....
. The Atoka Public Schools mascot is the Wampus cat
Wampus cat
The Wampus cat is a creature in American folklore, variously described as some kind of fearsome variation on a cougar. The wampus cat is often compared to the Ewah of Cherokee mythology, in that it was a woman who disguised herself in the skin of a cougar to spy on the men of the tribe, as they sat...
. There are also three elementary schools in Atoka County, at Harmony, Oklahoma
Harmony, Oklahoma
Harmony is an unincorporated community to the south-east of Atoka in Atoka County, Oklahoma, United States. Harmony has a small, K-8 school located in the community. Students of high school age either go to Atoka, Stringtown, or Tushka High Schools....
, Lane, Oklahoma
Lane, Oklahoma
Lane is a small unincorporated community in Atoka County, Oklahoma, United States. The post office was established February 11, 1888.Lane is located along State Highway 3 southeast of Atoka....
, and Farris, Oklahoma
Farris, Oklahoma
Farris is a small unincorporated community in Atoka County, Oklahoma, United States. It lies east of the county seat of Atoka on Highway 3 near the border of the county. There is a small, K-8 grade school at Farris, but those students who are above the eighth grade attend Atoka High School in...
.
Atoka High School
The Atoka High School campus is located on the west side of the town and enrollment averages between 300 to 400 students from grades 9 to 12. Besides offering the basic courses and several Advanced Placement programs, Atoka High School offers classes in SpanishSpanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
, Choir, Agricultural Education (FFA) Parliamentary Procedure Team was National Semi-Finalist in 2007, Drama, etc. The Mock Trial
Mock trial
A Mock Trial is an act or imitation trial. It is similar to a moot court, but mock trials simulate lower-court trials, while moot court simulates appellate court hearings. Attorneys preparing for a real trial might use a mock trial consisting of volunteers as role players to test theories or...
team has won the Oklahoma state competition six times. They also offer sports such as baseball, softball, track and field, football, golf, and powerlifting and have represented Atoka in the state playoffs in many sports. In the summer of 2006, the Atoka School Board voted to build a cafetorium. The new Cafetorium opened in August 2007. With the new cafeteria, the High School is closed campus. Students have 3 or 4 options for lunch every day. Along with a first class stage and dressing facilities, a new band room was included.
Junior High and Elementary Education
C.A. "Barney" McCall Junior High School is located due south of the high school campus. The junior high school averages between 200 and 250 in enrollment. The Atoka Elementary School is located on the old campus of the Atoka High School west of the center of town. Phillips Field, Atoka's football field, is located at this site.Higher Education
Atoka is served by Kiamichi Technology CenterKiamichi Technology Center
Kiamichi Technology Center is a public career and technology education center located in Wilburton, Oklahoma and is part of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education system.-Student organizations:...
. The Atoka campus offers courses in Business Information Technology, Computer Repair, Cosmetology
Cosmetology
Cosmetology is the study and application of beauty treatment. Branches of specialty including hairstyling, skin care, cosmetics, manicures/pedicures, and electrology....
, Child Care, Nursing
Nursing
Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life from conception to death....
, Auto Mechanics, and Carpentry
Carpentry
A carpenter is a skilled craftsperson who works with timber to construct, install and maintain buildings, furniture, and other objects. The work, known as carpentry, may involve manual labor and work outdoors....
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,988 people, 1,277 households, and 735 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 354.7 people per square mile (137.0/km²). There were 1,499 housing units at an average density of 178.0 per square mile (68.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.86% White, 11.51% African American, 10.27% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.10% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 4.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.90% of the population.
There were 1,277 households out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.4% were non-families. 39.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 22.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 78.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $18,361, and the median income for a family was $22,344. Males had a median income of $25,431 versus $19,495 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $12,017. About 19.1% of families and 25.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.9% of those under age 18 and 17.8% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
- Jerry CantrellJerry CantrellJerry Fulton Cantrell Jr. is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter best known for his work with the grunge/metal band Alice in Chains, as lead guitarist, backing and co-lead vocalist, and co-lyricist. He performs lead vocals on his solo projects, and is part of Alice in Chains' harmonizing...
Jr. - Alternative Music Artist and Songwriter. Jerry Cantrell was the founding member of Alice In ChainsAlice in ChainsAlice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney, and bassist Mike Starr...
. - Reba McEntireReba McEntireReba Nell McEntire is an American country music artist and actress. She began her career in the music industry as a high school student singing in the Kiowa High School band , on local radio shows with her siblings, and at rodeos. As a solo act, she was invited to perform at a rodeo in Oklahoma...
- country music artist - Crystal RobinsonCrystal RobinsonCrystal Robinson , is a former Women's National Basketball Association player who played for the Washington Mystics and New York Liberty. She grew up in Atoka, Oklahoma.-High school:...
- WNBA player for the Washington MysticsWashington MysticsThe Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'...
and New York LibertyNew York LibertyThe New York Liberty is a professional basketball team based in New York City, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was one of the eight original franchises of the league... - U. L. Washington - former MLBMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player for the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
, Montreal ExposMontreal ExposThe Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
, and Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions... - Matthew Mungle - winner of an Academy Award for MakeupAcademy Award for MakeupThe Academy Award for Best Makeup is the Oscar given to the best achievement in makeup for film. Usually, only three films are nominated each year rather than five as in most categories...
and four-time Emmy AwardEmmy AwardAn Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
winner - Todd Downing - author of The Mexican Earth,a cultural history of Old Mexico, and also several mystery novels published in the 1930s and early 1940s, including The Cat Screams. In the 1970s, he taught the ChoctawChoctawThe Choctaw are a Native American people originally from the Southeastern United States...
language at Southeastern Oklahoma State University (Durant). - Jim Barnes - Oklahoma Poet Laureate for 2009 and 2010 and author of nine books of poetry, including On a Wing of the Sun, The Sawdust War, Paris, The American Book of the Dead, and Visiting Picasso. He is also the author of On Native Ground (University of Oklahoma Press, 1997; 2nd ed. 2009), an autobiography which won an American Book AwardAmerican Book AwardThe American Book Award was established in 1978 by the Before Columbus Foundation. It seeks to recognize outstanding literary achievement by contemporary American authors, without restriction to race, sex, ethnic background, or genre...
in 1998. - Cecil B. "Bud" Greathouse - a highly decorated American soldier of World War II
- Jeremiah J. Minor - A decorated Sergeant First Class in the United States Army. SFC Minor's service has included three tours in Iraq and a long list of countries earning two Bronze Star Medals, 1 Meritorious Service Medal, 7 Army Commendation Medals, and 4 Army Achievement Medals.
Locations of Interest
- Atoka Motorsports Park http://sand-drags.com/ Home of Annual Heartland Nationals
- Old MasonicFreemasonryFreemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
Temple - Old Atoka State Bank
- Atoka County CourthouseCourthouseA courthouse is a building that is home to a local court of law and often the regional county government as well, although this is not the case in some larger cities. The term is common in North America. In most other English speaking countries, buildings which house courts of law are simply...
- Confederate Memorial Museum - contains numerous artifacts, including the bones of a new specie of dinosaur discovered in Atoka County.
- Middle Boggy Battlefield Site - location of a Civil WarAmerican Civil WarThe American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
battle near the Confederate Memorial Museum. - El Adobe Mexican Restaurant - a locally famous restaurant and a major social gathering place that has been open more than thirty years.
- Victory Life of Atoka- One of the campuses of Victory Life Family Worship Center of Durant, Oklahoma. One of the best churches in Atoka.