Ada, Oklahoma

Ada is a city in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 15,691 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Pontotoc CountyTemplate:GR. Ada is the capitol of the Chickasaw indian tribe. The city is named after Ada Reed, the daughter of the city's first postmaster, Jeff Reed. Ada is also the birthplace of New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey and University of Oklahoma standout defensive end Dan Cody, and home to East Central University, which boasts graduates including football all-star Mark Gastineau and country singer Jeremy Castle. Other popular musicians from Ada include country music's Blake Shelton, Dwayne O'Brien of Little Texas, and Zac Maloy of the 90's post-grunge band The Nixons. Guitarist Lowell Fulson moved to Ada in 1938.

Geography

Location of Ada, Oklahoma

Ada is located at 34°45′49″N 96°40′6″W (34.763661, -96.668214)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 40.8 km² (15.8 mi²). 40.7 km² (15.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.44%) is water.

Ada Today

Ada is a progressive, quality-oriented community located in the rolling hills of southeastern Oklahoma. It was incorporated as a city in 1901 and currently has a population of close to 16,000. Ada is a unique place, and one of Oklahoma's premier cities. It serves as the Pontotoc County seat. Ada is big enough to offer big-city amenities, such as a four-year university and a thriving business community, yet small enough to be cozy, providing a safe place to raise a family. Ada is also home to a world-class water laboratory and the Chickasaw Nation. The people who live in Ada are its greatest resource. Newcomers are quickly welcomed into the community, which thrives on the close-knit bonds of its residents. The spirit of friendship is very strong. "When I talk about Ada, I always start with the people," said City Manager David Hathcoat.

Ada is 81 miles from Oklahoma City, 122 miles from Tulsa, and 133 miles from Dallas, Texas. Ada is an Oklahoma Main Street City, a Certified City, and a Tree City USA member.

Ada is birthplace to first native born Governor of Oklahoma and longtime U.S. Senator Robert S. Kerr and evangelist Oral Roberts. Recent products include country music superstar Blake Shelton and New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey.

Normally a writer of fictional legal thrillers, author John Grisham chose for his first non-fiction novel a true story that took place in Ada, beginning in 1982 with the murder of Debbie Carter. The 2006 novel The Innocent Man tells the story of how Ron Williamson and Dennis Fritz were wrongfully accused of the murder, tried and sentenced - Frits to life in prison, and Williamson to death.

History of Ada

In April 1889, Jeff Reed (a native Texan) was appointed to carry the mail from Stonewall to Center, two small communities in the Indian Territory. With his family and his stock he sought a place for a home on a prairie midway between the two points. He found that place in a pleasant setting, erecting a log house and starting Reed's Store. Other settlers soon came along and built homes nearby. In 1891, a post office was established and named after Reed's oldest daughter - Ada.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 15,691 people, 6,697 households, and 3,803 families residing in the city. The population density was 385.9/km² (999.3/mi²). There were 7,472 housing units at an average density of 183.8/km² (475.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 73.81% White, 3.54% African American, 15.10% Native American, 0.83% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.89% from other races, and 5.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.89% of the population.

There were 6,697 households out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.2% were non-families. 37.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 17.5% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,977, and the median income for a family was $31,805. Males had a median income of $25,223 versus $17,688 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,666. About 14.8% of families and 21.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.8% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.

Sports

Ada is home to the Cougars who have won 19 football state championships - the most in Oklahoma. (1951, 1952, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1970, 1974, 1980, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996)

Famous Natives

• Jeremy Castle - country star
• Dan Cody – National Football League defensive end
• Jeremy Shockey – National Football League tight end
• Blake Shelton – country star
• Dwayne O'Brien - singer and founding member of country band Little Texas
• Zac Maloy - singer and founding member of post-grunge band The Nixons
• M.G. Kelly - nationally syndicated disc jockey
• Ron Williamson - Wrongfully convicted star of The Innocent Man
• Michael Davis - Praise and worship artist
• Wyatt Keel - Video Producer

Education

Ada Public Schools has six primary and secondary schools. There are also two public school systems just outside of the Ada City Limits, Byng, and Latta.

Located in Ada is East Central University — a four-year institution. Seminole State College in Seminole and Murray State College in Tishomingo are both located within 40 miles. The University of Oklahoma in Norman is 65 miles away, while Oklahoma State University in Stillwater is a little over 100 miles away. Pontotoc Technology Center (formerly Pontotoc Area Vo-Tech) is located in Ada, while the Mid-America Area Vo-Tech at Wayne is 38 miles away and the Sulphur Skills Center is only 30 miles away. The Gordon Cooper Vo-Tech School is located in Shawnee — 55 miles away.

There are two public libraries in Ada with more than 1 million volumes. These are the East Central University Library and the Hugh Warren Memorial Library (City of Ada).

External links

• Ada official website