Corn, Oklahoma
Encyclopedia
Corn is a town in Washita County
, Oklahoma
, United States
. The population was 503 at the 2010 census
.
. Its geographic coordinates are 35°22′42"N 98°47′0"W (35.378269, -98.783200). According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 0.4 square miles (1 km²), all of it land.
due to anti-German sentiment. There are several stories as to how the town received the name Corn. However, the most commonly believed story is that the town received its name because its first post office was in a corn field.
The town was originally settled by German and Russian Mennonites. In the late 1800s, around the time of the Cheyenne-Arapaho Land Run
, a Mennonite Brethren missionary stationed nearby invited fellow Mennonites from Kansas to homestead in the area. They brought along "Turkey Red" wheat, which grew well in the western Oklahoma soil. On its one-hundredth birthday the town received a historical marker celebrating this accomplishment.
World War I brought harassment by vigilantes and the county Council of Defense on many of the Germans and Mennonites that lived in and around Corn. Not only did the town change its name during this time, but a German newspaper ceased operation.
The town is also known for being the second tornado filmed in history (and the first in the United States), on June 8, 1951 . The first known tornado captured on film was a waterspout in Cuba in 1933.
On April 23, 2010 the public school in Corn, Washita Heights, closed due to lack of students in the district and lack of funding from the state. The nearby town of Cordell took over the district. The private school, Corn Bible, still remains open.
Corn was home to the grandmother of Henry John Deutschendorf Jr., otherwise known as John Denver
.
of 2000, there were 591 people, 198 households, and 136 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,630.2 people per square mile (633.9/km²). There were 226 housing units at an average density of 623.4 per square mile (242.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 91.71% White, 0.34% African American, 1.86% Native American, 2.88% from other races
, and 3.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.57% of the population.
There were 198 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.1% were married couples
living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 15.2% from 45 to 64, and 33.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 78.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 72.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $31,154, and the median income for a family was $33,281. Males had a median income of $23,750 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $15,632. About 14.4% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.1% of those under age 18 and 2.4% of those age 65 or over.
Washita County, Oklahoma
Washita County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 11,508. Its county seat is New Cordell. It was formerly located in Cloud Chief, Oklahoma....
, 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 503 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...
.
Geography
Corn is located 13 miles northeast of Cordell in western 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...
. Its geographic coordinates are 35°22′42"N 98°47′0"W (35.378269, -98.783200). 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 town has a total area of 0.4 square miles (1 km²), all of it land.
History
Originally the name of the town of Corn was spelled Korn, but was changed during World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
due to anti-German sentiment. There are several stories as to how the town received the name Corn. However, the most commonly believed story is that the town received its name because its first post office was in a corn field.
The town was originally settled by German and Russian Mennonites. In the late 1800s, around the time of the Cheyenne-Arapaho Land Run
Land run
Land run usually refers to an historical event in which previously restricted land of the United States was opened for homesteading on a first arrival basis. Some newly opened lands were sold first-come, sold by bid, or won by lottery, or by means other than a run...
, a Mennonite Brethren missionary stationed nearby invited fellow Mennonites from Kansas to homestead in the area. They brought along "Turkey Red" wheat, which grew well in the western Oklahoma soil. On its one-hundredth birthday the town received a historical marker celebrating this accomplishment.
World War I brought harassment by vigilantes and the county Council of Defense on many of the Germans and Mennonites that lived in and around Corn. Not only did the town change its name during this time, but a German newspaper ceased operation.
The town is also known for being the second tornado filmed in history (and the first in the United States), on June 8, 1951 . The first known tornado captured on film was a waterspout in Cuba in 1933.
On April 23, 2010 the public school in Corn, Washita Heights, closed due to lack of students in the district and lack of funding from the state. The nearby town of Cordell took over the district. The private school, Corn Bible, still remains open.
Corn was home to the grandmother of Henry John Deutschendorf Jr., otherwise known as John Denver
John Denver
Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. , known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer/songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. After growing up in numerous locations with his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. His greatest commercial success...
.
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 591 people, 198 households, and 136 families residing in the town. 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 1,630.2 people per square mile (633.9/km²). There were 226 housing units at an average density of 623.4 per square mile (242.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 91.71% White, 0.34% African American, 1.86% Native American, 2.88% 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 3.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.57% of the population.
There were 198 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.1% 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, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 15.2% from 45 to 64, and 33.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 78.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 72.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $31,154, and the median income for a family was $33,281. Males had a median income of $23,750 versus $18,750 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 town was $15,632. About 14.4% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.1% of those under age 18 and 2.4% of those age 65 or over.