Avard was a town in
Woods County,
Oklahoma
Oklahoma (; Choctaw language, Choctaw: ; chr, ᎣᎧᎳᎰᎹ, ''Okalahoma'' ) is a U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States, bordered by Texas on the south and west, Kansas on the nor ...
, United States. The town is southwest of
Alva, and northeast of
Waynoka. The population was 26 at the
2000 census.
[
] After initial growth Avard began declining in the 1930s. Avard had a post office from June 1, 1895, until November 22, 1963. As of the
2010 census, Avard was listed as disincorporated.
History
The post office was first established in Avard in 1895 and the town was incorporated in 1904 when the
Frisco tracks were extended westward from
Enid to tie in with the Santa Fe.
The town was named for Isabell Avard Todd, the wife of Robert Todd. The town was served by the Southern Arkansas Railway (
Santa Fe) and
Arkansas Valley and Western Railroad (Frisco).
Avard had mercantile establishments, two hotels, a bank, a livestock auction, and an elevator. A weekly newspaper, the Avard Tribune
operated from 1904 to 1918.
[
] It was a major cattle shipping point for the area.
A total of 250 people lived in the town in 1909.
It was an important rail transfer point for freight and passengers from 1910 to 1930.
Avard continued to grow until the mid-1930s.
During this period the town declined due to the
economic depression
An economic depression is a period of carried long-term economical downturn that is result of lowered economic activity in one major or more national economies. Economic depression maybe related to one specific country were there is some economic ...
,
dust storms
A dust storm, also called a sandstorm, is a meteorological phenomenon common in arid and semi-arid regions. Dust storms arise when a gust front or other strong wind blows loose sand and dirt from a dry surface. Fine particles are transporte ...
, farm consolidation, and changing travel habits.
Additionally, the town was struck by tornadoes in 1943 and 1944.
Today, only an elevator and church are left in operation.
There are also a few unused store buildings.
But the town still has important rail connections. It is the location of the Avard Regional Industrial Rail Park, which is a rail-served industrial park given site-certification by the
BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway is one of the largest freight railroads in North America. One of seven North American Class I railroads, BNSF has 35,000 employees, of track in 28 states, and nearly 8,000 locomotives. It has three transcontinental routes that ...
to ensure the location is ready for rapid development.
Geography
Avard is located at (36.699116, -98.790078).
According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...
, the town has a total area of , all land.
Demographics
As of the
census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses incl ...
of 2000, there were 26 people, 13 households, and 6 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 17 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 96.15%
White
White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White on ...
, and 3.85% from two or more races.
There were 13 households, out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were
married couples
Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between t ...
living together, and 53.8% were non-families. 46.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.00 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 19.2% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 116.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $23,750, and the median income for a family was $40,000. Males had a median income of $23,750 versus $14,583 for females. The
per capita income
Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population.
Per capita i ...
for the town was $11,757. There were no families and 17.1% of the population living below the
poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...
, including no under eighteens and 50.0% of those over 64.
References
External links
Avard - Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and CultureOklahoma Digital Maps: Digital Collections of Oklahoma and Indian Territory
{{authority control
Ghost towns in Oklahoma
Unincorporated communities in Woods County, Oklahoma
Unincorporated communities in Oklahoma