Comanche is a city in
Stephens 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 population was 1,663 at the
2010 census.
History
![Cattle auction - Flickr - Al Jazeera English](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Cattle_auction_-_Flickr_-_Al_Jazeera_English.jpg)
Comanche is a small city in southwest Oklahoma, set in rolling prairie land interspersed with oil fields, ranches, farms, pecan orchards, and timbered areas.
Comanche is located in what was once the famous Louisiana Purchase, a part of which was later in 1855 designated Indian Territory, and set aside for the Five Civilized Tribes. Comanche then became part of the Chickasaw Nation and was identified as Comanche, Indian Territory until statehood in 1907.
The city has had a series of names. The first settlers lived north of the present site and called the settlement Tucker. With the coming of the Rock Island Railroad in 1892, Indian landowner Johnny D. Wilson gave the city its present site on the railroad, and the Tucker post office was moved here in 1893. Many had wanted to call it Wilson Town, and some called it Border Queen because of the annual large celebrations, carnivals, bands, and Indian activities. Mr. Wilson, however, insisted it be named Comanche because of the Comanche Indians who roamed here.
Comanche was incorporated November 23, 1898 and began its progress located about east of present-day Comanche. The cattle were driven from Texas, through Indian Territory to Kansas for shipment east. Parts of this historic trail can still be clearly seen today.
Comanche has a colorful history that is still reflected in its lifestyle and activities. A western flavor is felt here, and Comanche is often called the "rodeo capital of the world". Certainly, many World Champion Rodeo performers call Comanche home. Race horse, Quarter Horse owners, and farmers add their influence as do oil companies and oil field workers. Authentic Indian customs and tribal observations are still practiced. Artists, educators, and others add still more variety and culture. Truly, it can be said that Comanche's greatest asset is its diversity of talent and people.
Geography
Comanche is located at (34.365189, -97.968640).
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 city has a total area of , all land.
Climate
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 1,556 people, 642 households, and 446 families residing in the city. The
population density
Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopul ...
was 340.1 people per square mile (131.5/km). There were 757 housing units at an average density of 165.5 per square mile (64.0/km). The racial makeup of the city was 87.53%
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 ...
, 0.06%
African American
African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...
, 8.35%
Native American, 0.26%
Asian
Asian may refer to:
* Items from or related to the continent of Asia:
** Asian people, people in or descending from Asia
** Asian culture, the culture of the people from Asia
** Asian cuisine, food based on the style of food of the people from Asi ...
, 0.64% from
other races
Other often refers to:
* Other (philosophy), a concept in psychology and philosophy
Other or The Other may also refer to:
Film and television
* ''The Other'' (1913 film), a German silent film directed by Max Mack
* ''The Other'' (1930 film), a ...
, and 3.15% from two or more races.
Hispanic
The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad.
The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to Vic ...
or
Latino
Latino or Latinos most often refers to:
* Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America
* Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States
* The people or cultures of Latin America;
** Latin A ...
of any race were 1.74% of the population.
There were 642 households, out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were
married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,960, and the median income for a family was $28,654. Males had a median income of $26,250 versus $17,500 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 city was $13,612. About 20.1% of families and 21.8% of the population were 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 34.3% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Comanche is served by the Comanche Public School system and the nearby
Cameron University
Cameron University is a public university in Lawton, Oklahoma. It offers more than 50 degrees through both undergraduate and graduate programs. The degree programs emphasize the liberal arts, science and technology, and graduate and professional ...
branch located in
Duncan.
Notable people
*
Alvin Dark
Alvin Ralph Dark (January 7, 1922 – November 13, 2014), nicknamed "Blackie" and "The Swamp Fox", was an American professional baseball shortstop and manager. He played fourteen years in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston/Milwaukee Bra ...
, World Series champion with the
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Giants compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) East division. ...
as their shortstop in 1954 and with the
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...
as their manager in 1974, was born in Comanche.
*
Viola Fletcher
Viola Fletcher (''née'' Ford; born May 5, 1914), also known as Mother Fletcher, is the oldest known survivor of the Tulsa race massacre. One hundred years after the massacre, she testified before Congress about the need for reparations.
Early li ...
, survivor of the
Tulsa race massacre
The Tulsa race massacre, also known as the Tulsa race riot or the Black Wall Street massacre, was a two-day-long massacre that took place between May 31 – June 1, 1921, when mobs of white residents, some of whom had been appointed as deput ...
, was born in Comanche in 1914
*
Boyd Franklin Morgan Actor and American football running back in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins. He played college football at the University of Southern California and was drafted in the 18th round of the 1939 NFL Draft.
Recreation
Recreation in the Comanche Area is divided into lake activities and sports.
Waurika Lake
Waurika is the county seat of Jefferson County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 2,064 at the 2010 census, a 4.36 percent decrease from 2,158 at the 2000 census.
An article from 1985 in ''The Oklahoman'' claimed that Waurika promoted ...
, a lake, lies eight to southwest of Comanche on access roads. The lake's recreational area offers all related activities (camping, swimming, fishing, boating, and hunting) and adds little to the pleasure and economy of Comanche. Comanche Lake, east on Hwy. 53, offers the same recreations on a smaller scale and includes electric and water hookups and a disposal station. There are opportunities for fishing, camping, picknicking. Two covered pavilions may be reserved for family reunions or gatherings. A full concession stand is operated by lake caretakers. The Golf Course is located next to the Comanche Lake. This small 9-hole golf course is a spot for both local and area golfers. Kinder Park and Jackson Park playgrounds are areas for the little ones.
Government
Comanche has a Council Manager Form of Government. Progress is encouraged by Comanche citizens, officials, and civic groups.
Media
Comanche and its surrounding area is served by the weekly newspaper "The Comanche Times"
[comanchetimes.weebly.com]
References
External links
Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture - Comanche (Town)
{{authority control
Cities in Stephens County, Oklahoma
Cities in Oklahoma