Noble, Oklahoma

Noble, Oklahoma
—  City  —
Location of Noble, Oklahoma within the state of Oklahoma and Cleveland county.
Coordinates: 35°8′28″N 97°23′20″W
Country	United States
State	Oklahoma
County	Cleveland
Area
• Total	12.9 sq mi (33.4 km2)
• Land	12.5 sq mi (32.4 km2)
• Water	0.4 sq mi (1.0 km2)
Elevation	1,194 ft (364 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	6,481
• Density	420.1/sq mi (162.2/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	73068
Area code(s)	405
FIPS code	40-52150
GNIS feature ID	1095892

Noble is a city in Cleveland County, Oklahoma, United States, and is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area. The population was 6,481 at the 2010 census. Currently, Noble is Cleveland County's third-largest city behind Norman and Moore. The current mayor is Gary Hayes. He was elected mayor in March 2006.

History

On April 22, 1889, the day the infamous "Oklahoma Land Run" opened the Indian Territory to settlers, JW Klinglesmith, Albert Rennie and several other businessmen forded the South Canadian River and laid claim to the 160-acre town site that was to become Noble, Oklahoma. The town was named in honor of Secretary of the Interior John Noble, who was instrumental in opening the land for settlement. The group had great plans for Noble, hoping it would become the future county seat.

The Santa Fe Railroad completed a railroad depot in Noble in August of 1889. For several years, Noble was a major shipping point for cattle and other goods from both sides of the Canadian River. Business prospered even more when Charles Edwin Garee built a new suspension toll bridge across the Canadian River in 1898.

The suspension bridge washed out in 1904 and other communities began developing nearby. The last passenger train stopped in Noble in 1944 and the depot was moved.

Rose Rock Capital of the World

Noble is considered the "Rose Rock Capital of the World", as the concentration of barium sulfate in the soil is higher there than anywhere else, causing the formation of rose rocks.

In honor of this status, Noble sets aside the first Saturday each May to celebrate its annual Rose Rock Festival. Local geologist Joe Stine and his wife opened the Timberlake Rose Rock Museum in 1986.

The most famous business in Noble is Kendall's Restaurant, one of less than 300 TRAVELOCITY local favorites and the operators of the largest charitable foundation in Noble. The restaurant was also featured in Southern Living magazine in June 2010.

Geography

Noble is located at 35°8′28″N 97°23′20″W (35.141173, -97.388807).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.9 square miles (33 km²), of which, 12.5 square miles (32 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km²) of it (2.87%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,260 people, 1,956 households, and 1,486 families residing in the city. The population density was 420.1 people per square mile (162.2/km²). There were 2,134 housing units at an average density of 170.4 per square mile (65.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.30% White, 0.19% African American, 4.87% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races, and 3.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.74% of the population.

There were 1,956 households out of which 40.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.5% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were non-families. 21.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.6% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,250, and the median income for a family was $40,533. Males had a median income of $30,417 versus $23,690 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,732. About 4.5% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.5% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.

Schools

Noble has three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.

The elementary school for children in kindergarten through first grade is the Katherine I. Daily Elementary School, named after the long time principal. The current principal of "K.I.D.," as it is commonly called, is Kathy Hallmark.

The next school in the Noble Public School system is the John Hubbard Elementary School, named for the longtime superintendent from the 1950s-70s, and educates children in second and third grade. The current principal, Nathan Gray, is serving his first year as principal.

Following their two years at Hubbard, children attend the Pioneer Intermediate School for fourth and fifth grades. Pioneer formerly educated sixth graders; however, they now attend the recently completed Noble Middle School. Karen Canfield is the principal and is serving in her 23rd year in this position.

Until recently, children went to Noble Junior High for seventh through eighth grade. However, the building that used to be the junior high is now Noble Public School's administration building. Noble Middle School was built, and educates students in sixth through eighth grade. When the superintendent, Curtis Inge, died they renamed the school The Curtis Inge Middle School. The current principal is Ronnie Fulks, in his first year, and assistant principals are Beckie Smith and Lizbeth Benson.

Noble High School is where children finish their secondary education in Noble. The schools' athletic programs compete in Oklahoma's class 5A in most sports, including football, basketball, and baseball. The wrestling team competes in class 4A.

Noble is also home to several clubs, such as a class 4A marching band under the direction of Fred Queen. There is also a FIRST Robotics program run by teachers Brent Peck and Gena Stejskal, who are also dating.

The current superintendent is Greg Kasbaum, who is currently serving in his second year in the district.

Notable natives

• Al Benton, baseball player

External links

• Noble Public Library
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