Woodward, Oklahoma

Woodward, Oklahoma
—  City  —
Main Street, Woodward, Oklahoma, circa 1910
Location of Woodward, Oklahoma
Coordinates: 36°25′59″N 99°23′52″W
Country	United States
State	Oklahoma
County	Woodward
Area
• Total	13.2 sq mi (34.2 km2)
• Land	13.1 sq mi (34.0 km2)
• Water	0.1 sq mi (0.2 km2)
Elevation	1,909 ft (582 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	12,051
• Density	910/sq mi (350/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes	73801-73802
Area code(s)	580
FIPS code	40-82150
GNIS feature ID	1100006

Woodward is a city in and the county seat of Woodward County, Oklahoma, United States. It is the largest city in a nine-county area. The population was 12,051 at the 2010 census.

The area was originally home to the historic Kiowa, Comanche, Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. European-American settlers established the town in 1887, after construction of the railroad here. The town was on the Great Western Cattle Trail. In the nineteenth century, it was one of the most important depots in the Oklahoma Territory for shipping cattle to the East. As an important cattle town, it had the rough frontier bawdiness of the time. The United States opened up much of the area to European-American settlement by the Land Run of 1893 and migrants rushed into the area.

The city lies just west of Boiling Springs State Park. After statehood, in 1911 it was established as a court town for the US District Court of western Oklahoma. Annual federal dockets were held in November through 1948, and sporadically by need after that.

Geography

Woodward is located in northwestern Oklahoma, on the eastern edge of the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles. Its geographic coordinates are 36°25′59″N 99°23′52″W (36.433059, -99.397745) and its elevation is 1,906 feet (581 meters).

The city lies on the North Canadian River, 100 miles (160 km) east-southeast of Guymon, Oklahoma and 85 miles (137 km) west of Enid, Oklahoma. As the largest city in an area of nine counties, it is a commercial hub in northwestern Oklahoma.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.2 square miles (34 km²), of which 13.1 square miles (34 km²) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km²) (0.53%) is water.

Climate

On April 9, 1947, the deadliest tornado in Oklahoma history tore through Woodward, killing 107 people and destroying 100 city blocks. The family of storms, known as the Glazier-Higgins-Woodward tornadoes, ranked as the sixth deadliest in US history. They caused many fatalities and much damage in other communities in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

History

For thousands of years, succeeding cultures of indigenous peoples inhabited the areas along the North Canadian River. The Plains tribes adopted use of the horse from the Spanish settlers and increased their range of nomadic hunting. Before the American Civil War, the historic Plains tribes of the Kiowa, Comanche, Apache, Cheyenne, and Arapaho occupied this area. Boiling Springs, near present-day Woodward, was a favorite campsite of the Plains Indians. A battle between the Kiowa and Cheyenne tribes took place nearby in 1838. The Kiowa and Comanche tribes also battled the United States Army in 1868.

In the later nineteenth century, a wide area around the springs became the site of numerous battles between these tribes and the United States soldiers and settlers trying to push them out. After the war, various US Army expeditions were led against the Plains tribes in Woodward County by the lieutenant colonels Alfred Sully and George Armstrong Custer, and General Philip Sheridan, who were stationed near Woodward at Fort Supply. In the 1880s, the area was considered part of "Commancheria", the unofficial name of the area traveled by the Comanche tribe, which stretched from Kansas to Mexico.

After construction of the railroad to the area, in 1887 European-American settlers established Woodward at the junction of the Fort Reno Military Road and the Southern Kansas Railway (a subsidiary of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad) on the south bank of the North Canadian River. It soon became an important shipping point, both for provisioning Fort Supply and as a place for loading cattle grazed in the Cherokee Outlet. Before statehood, in the late nineteenth century Woodward was one of the most important depots in the Oklahoma Territory for shipping cattle to the East and Northern tier of states. The Great Western Cattle Trail crossed where Woodward now stands.

More than 50,000 migrants settled across the old Cherokee Outlet of northern Oklahoma on September 16, 1893 in the greatest land run in American history. They founded cities that day from Woodward to Enid and Ponca City. In the summer of 1893, carpenters erected the first government building at the railroad depot called Woodward. By that time, Woodward had approximately 200 residents. Since before statehood, Woodward has served as the county seat of Woodward County.

Cabinet Saloon (located behind tree in center of photograph), Main Street, Woodward, Oklahoma, circa 1911

Like Dodge City, Kansas to the North, Woodward boasted a cattle town array of saloons, gambling halls, and brothels. Woodward's Equity, Midway, Shamrock, and Cabinet saloons, and the Dew Drop Inn, were widely known as watering holes for drovers at the end of a cattle drive. The latter, which also served as a brothel, was owned and managed by Dollie Kezer. Before coming to Woodward, she had worked at some of Denver, Colorado's most famous brothels and was known to have attended lavish parties thrown by Horace Tabor.

In 1894, Temple Lea Houston, the son of the Texas revolutionary and president Samuel Houston, moved his law practice and family to Woodward. After a personal disagreement in the Cabinet Saloon with the brother and father of [[Al Jennings], the outlaw, Houston shot and killed the brother. Houston's close friend Jack E. Love joined him in the gun-fight. The events did not slow their careers. Houston was tried for murder in Woodward but was acquitted on grounds of self-defense. Love was later elected to the office of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and served as its first chairman.

Old Woodward Post Office and Federal Courthouse, Woodward, Oklahoma

Houston won a reputation as a brilliant trial lawyer known for his courtroom dramatics. He delivered his "Soiled Dove Plea" in a makeshift courtroom in Woodward's opera house. The argument on behalf of a prostitute who worked at the Dew Drop Inn became famous and resulted in her acquittal after ten minutes.

On September 7, 1907, William Jennings Bryan spoke to 20,000 people gathered in Woodward and urged the ratification of Oklahoma's proposed constitution and the election of a Democratic Party ticket. Two months later the proclamation admitting Oklahoma as a state was signed by Theodore Roosevelt with the quill from an American Golden Eagle captured near Woodward.

By a 1911 Act of Congress, Woodward became a designated court town for the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. A United States Post Office and Courthouse was constructed in Woodward in 1918. Federal court dockets were held annually each November in Woodward until 1948, and sporadically thereafter.

In 1947, Woodward was struck by a tornado causing over 100 deaths and destroyed over 100 city blocks. (See 1947 Glazier–Higgins–Woodward tornadoes).

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1920	2,696		—
1930	5,056		87.5%
1940	5,406		6.9%
1950	5,915		9.4%
1960	7,747		31.0%
1970	8,710		12.4%
1980	13,610		56.3%
1990	12,190		−10.4%
2000	11,853		−2.8%
2010	12,051		1.7%

As of the census of 2000, there were 11,853 people, 4,787 households, and 3,245 families residing in the city. The population density was 903.5 inhabitants per square mile (348.8/km²). There were 5,561 housing units at an average density of 423.9 per square mile (163.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.98% White, 0.25% African American, 1.96% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.26% from other races, and 1.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.06% of the population.

There were 4,787 households out of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,441, and the median income for a family was $39,766. Males had a median income of $29,222 versus $19,102 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,040. About 9.2% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.5% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Woodward is the principal center of trade for Northwest Oklahoma and a ten-county region including counties in Kansas and Texas. It serves a trade area of greater than 50,000 people. Agriculture, petroleum, wind energy, and manufacturing all contribute to Woodward's economy.

Woodward serves as a market and processing center for wheat, cattle, hay and poultry. The city has grown around the Southern Plains Range Research Station, a United States agricultural experiment station established in 1912.

Woodward also lies in an oil and natural-gas area on the shelf of Oklahoma's Anadarko Basin. In 1956, natural gas was discovered in Woodward County. Thereafter, Woodward enjoyed significant growth due to the opening and location of oil field service and drilling companies in Woodward. In addition to hydrocarbons, many portions of Woodward County are underlain by one of the world's largest deposits of iodine. Since 1977, numerous companies have explored for and produced crude iodine in Woodward County. Woodward Iodine and Deepwater Chemicals are located in Woodward. In 2003, Florida Power & Light Company's subsidiary, FPL Energy, and the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority, began commercial production of electricity generated from wind turbines constructed seven miles (11 km) north of Woodward.

Manufacturers include oil field equipment, apparel, crude iodine, and printing and publishing. Clothing factories are a relatively recent addition.

The Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum attracts tourists to the city. Boiling Springs State Park[2] lies to the east of Woodward.

Woodward is the corporate headquarters for Beaver Express Service, L.L.C., Oklahoma's largest and oldest Oklahoma-based small package express and LTL motor freight carrier. Beaver Express serves the states of Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Missouri, and Texas.

Agriculture

By the early 1900s, the introduction of Hereford cattle took root in Woodward County. With this development, cattlemen such as Dan Waggoner [3] and his son, W.T. Waggoner, attempted to lease school lands in Woodward County for grazing. These attempts led to the formation of the Oklahoma Livestock Association by Woodward County ranchers. By 1930, the ranching and cattle industry dominated Woodward's economy. At the urging of Senator Thomas P. Gore and the former law partner of Temple Houston, David P. Marum, the United States government located an agricultural research station in Woodward in 1912. On February 23, 1933, Oklahoma's first commercial-grade cattle auction, the Woodward Livestock Auction, opened in Woodward.

In 1929, Woodward ranchers and businessmen organized the Woodward Elks Rodeo, which through 1959 was one of the premier cowboy rodeos in the nation. As many as 35,000 people would attend the three-day event. National rodeo champions such as Bob Crosby, Paul Carney, Toots Mansfield, Homer Pettigrew, Ace Soward, Eddie Curtis, Jess Goodspeed, Ike Rude, Jim Shoulder, Sonny Davis, Sonny Linger, and Tater Decker all competed at the Woodward Elks Rodeo.

Businesses

Between 1934 and 1999, the Trego’s Westwear Company of Woodward manufactured Western cut clothing for customers all over the world. Rodeo and movie stars were customers of the company and costumes were frequently made for Dale Evans and Roy Rogers. As dress became more casual in the 1980s and 1990s, interest in Western wear waned. Trego’s closed its manufacturing plant in 1995.

On May 18, 1956, Charles Woodward Pappe, an entrepreneur from Kingfisher, opened the second Top-Hat Drive-In Restaurant in the United States, which was the precursor to the Sonic Drive-In. A few months earlier, Pappe had introduced himself to Troy Smith, while visiting friends in Shawnee, Oklahoma. With Pappe's inspiration, Sonic was founded and eventually became one of the largest chain of fast food restaurants in the US.

Education

Woodward is home to an early childhood center, three elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. The Woodward school district serves more than 2,500 students. The city also has a private school, the Woodward Christian Academy, that serves fewer than 100 students.

The city's High Plains Technology Center offers courses and degrees in career and technical education. Woodward is also home to the Woodward campus of Northwestern Oklahoma State University, which offers courses and degrees to the local population.

Newspapers and media

The Woodward News has been the local news source since 1926. It is currently distributed six days a week and owned by Community Newspaper Holdings Inc., It is distributed freely to the town's residents.

Visitors

On March 13, 1894, outlaws Bill Doolin and Bill Dalton robbed the railroad station at Woodward, Oklahoma Territory, taking an undisclosed amount of money.

On September 13, 1934, Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow Lindbergh made an unexpected emergency landing 23 miles (37 km) northeast of Woodward. The Lindberghs spent two days at a rural farm waiting for a relief plane to arrive at Woodward. Charles Lindbergh graciously refused to give any interviews, saying he and his wife were eager for privacy and no longer wanted to be in the public spotlight. Forty-eight years later another celebrity, Flip Wilson, unexpectedly landed his helium balloon seven miles (11 km) east of Woodward in the town of Mooreland.

On January 14, 1957, President Dwight Eisenhower, who was accompanied by Ezra Taft Benson, made a 12-mile (19 km) inspection tour of drought damaged lands around Woodward and was received by a crowd of 12,000 people at the Woodward Municipal Airport.

On July 3 and 4, 2009, former President George W. Bush was involved in Fourth of July festivities and gave a speech at Crystal Beach Park on Independence Day itself. It was the first time any President of the United States, past or present, had entered Woodward proper

Famous residents

• Bob Fenimore, football player.
• Temple Lea Houston, last born child of Sam Houston, Texas State Senator, famous trial lawyer, moved to Woodward, Oklahoma in 1894.
• Dick Thompson Morgan, United States Congressman, 2nd District, Oklahoma 1909-15, 8th District, Oklahoma 1915-20.
• Jerry Covington a renowned fabricator of high-end custom motorcycles that are frequently featured on television and in cycle magazines, and owner of Covingtons Cycle City,[4] based in Woodward.
• Terry Peach, farmer, rancher, Secretary and Commissioner of the Oklahoma State Board of Agriculture (2003–present), Oklahoma State Executive Director, United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (1993–2000)
• Will Rogers was employed as a cowboy at a ranch near Woodward. Day, Donald.
• Charles Swindall, United States Congressman, Oklahoma; Justice of the Supreme Court of Oklahoma, 1929-1934.
• Olin E. Teague, military hero and long-term Texas Congressman was born in Woodward, Oklahoma on April 6, 1910.

Further reading

• Sand in My Eyes, Laune, Siegniora Russell (1956)
• Below Devil's Gap: The Story of Woodward County, James, Louise B. (1984)
• Temple Houston, Lawyer with a Gun, Shirley, Glenn (1980)
• Fort Supply, Indian Territory: Frontier Outpost on the Plains, Carriker, Robert C. (1970, repr. 1990)
• Jack Love: Eighty Niner, Adams, Grace Hunter (1988)

External links

• Woodward Oklahoma Information, Lodging, Tourism Bureau
• City Website of Woodward, Oklahoma
• 1947 Woodward Tornado (NWS)
• Woodward Industrial Foundation
• Plains, Indians, and Pioneers Museum