Catoosa, Oklahoma

Catoosa, Oklahoma
—  City  —
Location of Catoosa, Oklahoma
Coordinates: 36°10′56″N 95°45′35″W
Country	United States
State	Oklahoma
Counties	Rogers, Wagoner
Area
• Total	7.0 sq mi (18.0 km2)
• Land	7.0 sq mi (18.0 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	623 ft (190 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	7,151
• Density	1,128.1/sq mi (438.7/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	74015
Area code(s)	539/918
FIPS code	40-12900
GNIS feature ID	1091043

Catoosa is a river city in Rogers and Wagoner counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 7,159 at the 2010 census compared to 5,449 at the 2000 census. This was a 31.2 percent increase during the decade.

Catoosa is an Inland seaport. The Port of Catoosa is the farthest inland seaport in the United States, linking Tulsa to the Arkansas River and eventually to the Gulf of Mexico.

Catoosa is located along historic Route 66.

The name of the city is derived from the Cherokee language, phonetically pronounced "Ga-du-si" or "Ga-tu-si". Various interpretations of this word exist, including: "between two hills", "on the hill", "into the hills", and possibly signifying a prominent hill or place thereon.

History

The Cherokee Nation controlled the region during the 19th century. After the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad laid tracks in the early 1880s, the community became a cow town.

The town grew from a population of 241 in 1900 to 410 by 1910. By 1930, the population was back down to 264, but by 1960, was up to 638.

In 1971, the Tulsa Port of Catoosa opened and gave the town an economic boom. The port's 2,000-acre (8.1 km²) industrial park provided provided jobs for over 2,600 workers by the 21st century.

In 2000 the Catoosa School District enrolled 2,416 students, and the town's population stood at 5,449.

Geography

Catoosa is located at 36°10′56″N 95°45′35″W (36.182194, -95.759616), 14 miles (23 km) northeast of Tulsa, Oklahoma in Rogers County, Oklahoma. This location provides mid-America river shipping access at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.0 square miles (18.1 km²), of which, 7.0 square miles (18.0 km²) of it is land and 0.14 percent is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,449 people, 1,972 households, and 1,518 families residing in the city. The population density was 783.0 people per square mile (302.3/km²). There were 2,093 housing units at an average density of 300.7 per square mile (116.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 79.59% White, 0.50% African American, 12.13% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.88% from other races, and 6.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.45% of the population.

There were 1,972 households out of which 40.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.9% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.0% were non-families. 20.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.7% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,821, and the median income for a family was $40,839. Males had a median income of $32,289 versus $23,285 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,061. About 11.9% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.

Media

Catoosa has one newspaper, the Catoosa Times. The paper is published every Wednesday. It is owned by Community Publishers, a newspaper and Internet publisher and commercial printer that serves Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas.

Points of interest

Arrowood Trading Post.

Blue Whale of Catoosa.

• The Blue Whale of Catoosa is a famous Route 66 landmark located just east of the downtown area.
• The Arrowood Trading Post, just across the highway from the Blue Whale. Formerly a trading post, now serving as a performance car shop.
• Tulsa Port of Catoosa is the furthest inland seaport in the United States.
• The Hard Rock Casino (formerly Cherokee Casino and Resort), operated by the Cherokee Nation, is located in Catoosa. The resort has two hotels, several restaurants, and a golf course, and hosts the annual Cherokee Art Market as well as the International Cherokee Film Festival.
• Catoosa's Historical Museum was founded by Catoosa's Historical Society. The museum is a replica of an old train depot and is home to many Catoosa artifacts and railroad memorabilia. The Catoosa Historical Museum is easily recognized by the Burlington Northern Railroad caboose outside of the museum.
• The D.W. Correll Museum was founded by Mr. D.W. Correll and is now owned and operated by the City of Catoosa. The museum houses rare antique automobiles, vintage whiskey bottles and a vast collection of rocks and minerals from all over the world.

Outside mural on the D.W. Correll Museum in Catoosa, OK.

External links

• Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture - Catoosa