Yukon, Oklahoma
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Yukon is a city in eastern
Canadian County Canadian County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 154,405, making it the fifth most populous county in Oklahoma. Its county seat is El Reno. The county is named for the Canadian Ri ...
,
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. It is part of the
Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area The Oklahoma City metropolitan area is an urban region in the Southern United States. It is the largest metropolitan area in the state of Oklahoma and contains the state capital and principal city, Oklahoma City. It is often known as the Okla ...
. The population was 22,709 at the 2010 census. Founded in the 1890s, the town was named in reference to a
gold rush A gold rush or gold fever is a discovery of gold—sometimes accompanied by other precious metals and rare-earth minerals—that brings an onrush of miners seeking their fortune. Major gold rushes took place in the 19th century in Australia, New Z ...
in
Yukon Territory Yukon (; ; formerly called Yukon Territory and also referred to as the Yukon) is the smallest and westernmost of Canada's three territories. It also is the second-least populated province or territory in Canada, with a population of 43,964 as ...
, Canada, at the time. Historically, Yukon served as an urban center for area farmers and the site of a large milling operation. It is now considered primarily a residential community for people who work in Oklahoma City.


History

Yukon was founded by A.N. Spencer in 1891Savage, Cynthia
"Yukon,"
''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture'', Oklahoma Historical Society. Accessed April 17, 2015.
and was named for the
Yukon River The Yukon River (Gwichʼin language, Gwich'in: ''Ųųg Han'' or ''Yuk Han'', Central Alaskan Yup'ik language, Yup'ik: ''Kuigpak'', Inupiaq language, Inupiaq: ''Kuukpak'', Deg Xinag language, Deg Xinag: ''Yeqin'', Hän language, Hän: ''Tth'echù' ...
which flows from
British Columbia British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, ...
, across the
Yukon Yukon (; ; formerly called Yukon Territory and also referred to as the Yukon) is the smallest and westernmost of Canada's three territories. It also is the second-least populated province or territory in Canada, with a population of 43,964 as ...
, and into Alaska. Spencer, a cattleman from
Texas Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...
turned railroad builder, was working on a line from
El Reno El Reno is a city in and county seat of Canadian County, Oklahoma, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 16,989, marking a change of 1.55% from 16,729, recorded in the 2010 census. The city was begun shortly after the 18 ...
to
Arkansas Arkansas ( ) is a landlocked state in the South Central United States. It is bordered by Missouri to the north, Tennessee and Mississippi to the east, Louisiana to the south, and Texas and Oklahoma to the west. Its name is from the Osage ...
when he decided to build the town.About YukonCity of Yukon website
(accessed May 4, 2010).
Spencer filed the plat on the townsite on February 14, 1891. He had agreed to do so and lay the train tracks through the town in exchange for half of the lots, which were owned by Minnie Taylor and Luther S. Morrison. Taylor and Morrison had acquired the land in the 1889 land run. Spencer also bought two quarter sections south of Main Street from Joseph Carson and his sister, Josephine. Spencer and his brother, Lewis, named the town after the
Yukon Territory Yukon (; ; formerly called Yukon Territory and also referred to as the Yukon) is the smallest and westernmost of Canada's three territories. It also is the second-least populated province or territory in Canada, with a population of 43,964 as ...
of
Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
, where a
gold rush A gold rush or gold fever is a discovery of gold—sometimes accompanied by other precious metals and rare-earth minerals—that brings an onrush of miners seeking their fortune. Major gold rushes took place in the 19th century in Australia, New Z ...
was booming at the time. The first houses and businesses were located on the north side of Spencer Avenue (now Main Street) and present Fourth and Fifth streets. The ''Canadian County Courier'' reported on April 1, 1891, that the city had 25 homes, one bank, two real estate offices, two restaurants, a lumber yard, a hardware store, a grocery, a livery stable, two saloons, a blacksmith shop, a printing office, a barber shop, and a second barber shop "about completed." The Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railway Company laid its track, causing the abandonment of Frisco, which had a population of 1,000 at the time. Beginning in about 1898, Yukon began to attract immigrants from
Bohemia Bohemia ( ; cs, Čechy ; ; hsb, Čěska; szl, Czechy) is the westernmost and largest historical region of the Czech Republic. Bohemia can also refer to a wider area consisting of the historical Lands of the Bohemian Crown ruled by the Bohem ...
. Following World War I and the dissolution of Bohemia into
Czechoslovakia , rue, Чеськословеньско, , yi, טשעכאסלאוואקיי, , common_name = Czechoslovakia , life_span = 1918–19391945–1992 , p1 = Austria-Hungary , image_p1 ...
and
Moravia Moravia ( , also , ; cs, Morava ; german: link=yes, Mähren ; pl, Morawy ; szl, Morawa; la, Moravia) is a historical region in the east of the Czech Republic and one of three historical Czech lands, with Bohemia and Czech Silesia. The me ...
, the immigrants became known as "
Czechs The Czechs ( cs, Češi, ; singular Czech, masculine: ''Čech'' , singular feminine: ''Češka'' ), or the Czech people (), are a West Slavic ethnic group and a nation native to the Czech Republic in Central Europe, who share a common ancestry, c ...
." Yukon is known as the "Czech Capital of Oklahoma". The town voted to incorporate in 1901 and voted to add water works, sewer, and electricity from the mill in 1910. Businesses remained clustered on Main Street between Fourth and Fifth, until the 1920s, when they began to locate in other parts of the town. The interurban was built from
Oklahoma City Oklahoma City (), officially the City of Oklahoma City, and often shortened to OKC, is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, it ranks 20th among United States cities in population, a ...
to El Reno in 1911. It closed in 1940. Paved roads didn't arrive until the construction of State Highway 66 in 1926. Yukon thrived as the urban center for area farmers and had an organized library by 1905 and a dedicated library building in 1927. A small milling operation, the Yukon Mill and Grain Company, opened in 1893 and grew to shipping flour and feeds throughout the south and exporting them overseas by 1915. The milling operation was owned by the Kroutil and Dobry families, but the Dobry family built their own mill and parted ways with the Kroutils in the 1930s. The mills were sold to larger corporations; Shawnee Mills purchased the Yukon Mill and Grain Company and Mid-Continent purchased the Dobry Mills. Paying homage to that history, the students of
Yukon High School Yukon High School is a secondary school located within Canadian County in Yukon, Oklahoma Yukon is a city in eastern Canadian County, Oklahoma, United States. It is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area. The population was 22,709 at ...
are known as "Millers", and their mascot is "The Miller Man". In 1949, Yukon garnered national media attention because of the plight of
Grady the Cow Grady the Cow ( - July 24, 1961) became famous for being the cow stuck inside a storage silo on a farm in Yukon, Oklahoma, in 1949.Associated Press"Grady Dies; Famous As Cow in Silo" '' Reading Eagle''. (Reading, Pennsylvania), July 25, 1961. Retr ...
, who was stuck inside a silo for four days.Associated Press
"Grady Dies; Famous As Cow in Silo,"
''Reading Eagle'' (Reading, Pennsylvania), July 25, 1961. Accessed April 30, 2015.
Sutter. Ellie
"Silo Landmark Torn Down Grady the Cow Only a Memory,"
''NewsOK'' (website of ''The Oklahoman''), January 6, 1997. Accessed April 30, 2015.
From a population of 830 in 1907, Yukon grew to 1,990 by 1950. By 1960, the population registered at 3,076. Oklahoma City annexed nearly all of the land around Yukon during the 1960s. This brought a boom in residential construction and commercial development. The town had grown to approximately 22,000 residents in 2005.


Government

Yukon has a Council-Manager government. This form of government combines the strong political leadership of elected officials with the strong managerial experience of an appointed manager. All authority to set policy rests with a nonpartisan Mayor and City Council. The governing body in turn hires a nonpartisan manager who has broad authority to run the organization. Yukon is divided into four geographical wards and one at-large ward. A representative from each Ward are the five members of the City Council. They are elected to four-year terms. The voters of each Ward elect a council member to represent them and the Mayor is elected yearly by council. The Mayor and Council appoint a City Manager to serve as the City's chief administrative official. The Mayor and Council also appoint the City Attorney and Municipal Court judges.


Geography

Yukon is located in east central
Canadian County Canadian County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 154,405, making it the fifth most populous county in Oklahoma. Its county seat is El Reno. The county is named for the Canadian Ri ...
. The western boundary of
Oklahoma City Oklahoma City (), officially the City of Oklahoma City, and often shortened to OKC, is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, it ranks 20th among United States cities in population, a ...
is at the county line 3.5 miles east of the center of Yukon. The town is traversed by
Route 66 U.S. Route 66 or U.S. Highway 66 (US 66 or Route 66) was one of the original highways in the United States Numbered Highway System. It was established on November 11, 1926, with road signs erected the following year. The h ...
and state highways 4 and 92. It lies just north of
Interstate 40 Interstate 40 (I-40) is a major east–west Interstate Highway running through the south-central portion of the United States. At a length of , it is the third-longest Interstate Highway in the country, after I-90 and I-80. From west to ea ...
. Downtown Oklahoma City is to the east. 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 , of which is land and , or 0.21%, is water.


Demographics

As of the 2010
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 ...
, there were 22,709 people, 8,744 households, and 6,390 families residing in the city.United States Census Demographic Profile of Yukon, Oklahoma, a
U.S. Census website
(cite does not allow direct link). (accessed September 5, 2013)
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 880 people per square mile (340/km). There were 9,231 housing units at an average density of 315.8 per square mile (121.9/km). The racial makeup of the city was 87.8%
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 ...
, 1.2%
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 ...
, 3.7% Native American, 2%
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 ...
, 0.1%
Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe the original p ...
, 1.5% 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 3.7% 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 made up 4.9% of the population. There were 8,744 households, out of which 38.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.6% 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, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families.2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Yukon, Oklahoma, a
U.S. Census website
(cite does not allow direct link). (accessed September 5, 2013)
Single individuals living alone accounted for 21% of households and individuals 65 years of age or older living alone accounted for 9.2% of households. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 2.97. In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 59.9% from 18 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.7 years. The population was 52.8% female and 47.2% male. The median income for a household in the city was $59,803, and the median income for a family was $66,635. Males had a median income of $49,836 versus $34,717 for females. About 6.5% of families and 8.5% 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 ...
.


Arts and culture

The Czech Hall, a national and state historic site, is devoted to preserving
Czech Czech may refer to: * Anything from or related to the Czech Republic, a country in Europe ** Czech language ** Czechs, the people of the area ** Czech culture ** Czech cuisine * One of three mythical brothers, Lech, Czech, and Rus' Places * Czech, ...
customs, heritage, and culture. Community events include the Czech Festival, which takes place on the first Saturday of October, and the Chisholm Trail and Crawfish Festival, which takes place on the first Saturday of June. In late August Yukon also holds a country music festival, called “Rock the Route.”


Education

The
Yukon Public Schools Yukon Public Schools is a public school district located in the city of Yukon, in Canadian County, Oklahoma. It serves Yukon and sections of Oklahoma City Oklahoma City (), officially the City of Oklahoma City, and often shortened to OKC, ...
district includes 11 schools, served a community of 36,938 people, and encompasses 66.10 square miles of land and 2.18 square miles of water.USA.com Profile of Yukon Public Schools
(accessed September 5, 2013)
The school district offers pre-school through secondary school education. The school served 8,781 students in the 2017–2018 school year. The high school has won state titles in softball in 1986, 1991, 1997, 2000, and 2010; in boys basketball in 1974 and 1979; in baseball in 1982, 1996, and 1997; and cheerleading in 2002.


Notable people

* Joe Albertson, founder of the
Albertsons Albertsons Companies, Inc. is an American grocery company founded and headquartered in Boise, Idaho. With 2,253 stores as of the third quarter of fiscal year 2020 and 270,000 employees as of fiscal year 2019, the company is the second-large ...
chain of grocery stores and a notable philanthropist; born in Yukon * Dan Bailey, kicker for Oklahoma State University and Dallas Cowboys * Phil Ball, former UCO football coach. *
Garth Brooks Troyal Garth Brooks (born February 7, 1962) is an American country music singer and songwriter. His integration of pop and rock elements into the country genre has earned him popularity, particularly in the United States with success on the co ...
, country music singer; grew up in Yukon * Josh Shipp, Motivational Speaker: grew up in Yukon *
Brad Dalke Brad Dalke (born August 19, 1997) is an American amateur golfer. Dalke was born in Yukon, Oklahoma and currently plays golf at the University of Oklahoma. He led the Sooners to the 2017 NCAA Championship at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illi ...
, golfer; born in Yukon * Max Gleason, a cappella YouTube musician "Smooth McGroove" * Steve Heller, writer; raised near Yukon *
Daniel Lewis Lee Daniel Lewis Lee (January 31, 1973 – July 14, 2020) was an American man convicted and Capital punishment by the United States federal government, executed by the United States federal government for the murders of William Frederick Mueller, Nan ...
, convicted murderer; born in Yukon *
Cross Canadian Ragweed Cross Canadian Ragweed was an American rock band formed in Yukon, Oklahoma in 1994. The band consisted of Cody Canada (lead guitar/vocals), Grady Cross (guitar), Randy Ragsdale (drums), and Jeremy Plato (bass guitar). The group released five st ...
, band founded in Yukon * Ed Roberts, poet and author; born in Yukon *
Dale Robertson Dayle Lymoine Robertson (July 14, 1923February 27, 2013) was an American actor best known for his starring roles on television. He played the roving investigator Jim Hardie in the television series '' Tales of Wells Fargo'' and railroad owner Be ...
, actor in films and television's ''
Tales of Wells Fargo ''Tales of Wells Fargo'' is an American Western television series starring Dale Robertson that ran from 1957 to 1962 on NBC. Produced by Revue Productions, the series aired in a half-hour format until its final season, when it expanded to ...
'', '' The Iron Horse'' and
ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...
's 1981 hit ''
Dynasty A dynasty is a sequence of rulers from the same family,''Oxford English Dictionary'', "dynasty, ''n''." Oxford University Press (Oxford), 1897. usually in the context of a monarchical system, but sometimes also appearing in republics. A ...
''


See also

*
Yukon Public Schools Yukon Public Schools is a public school district located in the city of Yukon, in Canadian County, Oklahoma. It serves Yukon and sections of Oklahoma City Oklahoma City (), officially the City of Oklahoma City, and often shortened to OKC, ...


References


External links


City of Yukon official website

City Council

Yukon Chamber of Commerce

Yukon Public Schools

Mabel C. Fry Public Library

Oklahoma Czech Festival

Stage Door Theatre of Yukon, former District School building and Historic Society


statistical data about Yukon {{authority control Oklahoma City metropolitan area Cities in Canadian County, Oklahoma Cities in Oklahoma Czech-American culture in Oklahoma