Yukon, Oklahoma

Yukon is a suburban city in Canadian County, Oklahoma and is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area. As of 2005, the city is estimated to have a total population of 22,032.

Yukon is the hometown of superstar country singer Garth Brooks, actor Dale Robertson and the red dirt band Cross Canadian Ragweed. In 1949, Yukon garnered national media attention because of the plight of Grady the Cow.

The Czech Hall, a national and state historic site, is devoted to preserving Czech customs, heritage, and culture. Community events include the Czech Festival in October, and the Chisholm Trail Festival in June. Yukon's sister city is Krnov in the Czech Republic.

Geography

Location of Yukon, Oklahoma

Yukon is located at 35°30′8″N 97°44′57″W (35.502255, -97.749120)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 66.7 km² (25.8 mi²). 66.7 km² (25.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.04% is water.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 21,043 people, 7,830 households, and 5,989 families residing in the city. The population density was 315.4/km² (816.8/mi²). There were 8,135 housing units at an average density of 121.9/km² (315.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.93% White, 0.84% African American, 2.68% Native American, 1.87% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.22% from other races, and 2.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.01% of the population.

There were 7,830 households out of which 39.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.1% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.5% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,265, and the median income for a family was $52,646. Males had a median income of $36,516 versus $25,014 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,773. About 5.0% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

History

Yukon began in 1891 with about 25 residents, and has grown to approximately 24,000 residents in 2005.

A. N. Spencer, a cattleman from Texas, became a railroad builder. He was building a rail line from El Reno to Arkansas. On this route there were no towns between El Reno and Oklahoma City. Spencer was a planner and a builder and he decided to start a town on the proposed railroad route about 12 miles east of El Reno. He purchased part of two, quarter sections north of the present Main Street. The land belonged to Luther Morrison and Minnie Taylor. He also bought two quarter sections south of Main Street from Joseph Carson and his sister Josephine. A. N. Spencer was busy building the railroad so he brought in his brothers, L. M. Spencer, William Spencer, and Sam Spencer to help build the town. Friends who came to help were Dan, Sam and George Hogan, J. M. and Joe Farris, and D. S. McEwen.

The first small houses and businesses were on the north side of Spencer Avenue (now Main Street) and present Fourth and Fifth Streets.

They had to haul building materials from El Reno or Oklahoma City. At that time there was a dirt road on the north side of the North Canadian River from El Reno to Oklahoma City. There was a dirt trail on the south side of the North Canadian River.

According to an early newspaper, the Canadian County Courier of April 1, 1891: "Yukon, the young giant of Canadian County is located on the Choctaw Railroad between Oklahoma City and El Reno, the county tributary to Yukon having 250 square miles in the first part of Oklahoma Territory.

Since A. N. Spencer filed the plat on February 14, 1891 there have been 25 homes built, 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 another one about completed."

The bank was A. N. Spencer's private bank. His brother L. M. Spencer had a real estate agency. A. N. Spencer built a lovely two-story white house for his family on the south edge of town (now Poplar Street).

The town grew slowly. In 1901 they finally voted to incorporate. There was no water or sewer until 1910 when they voted for water works, sewer and electricity from the mill. Nearly all of the businesses were on Main Street between Fourth and Fifth until the 1920s.

The interurban was built from Oklahoma City to El Reno in 1911 and was great for transportation until it closed in 1940. A few sidewalks were built but there was no street paving until Highway 6 came through Main Street about 1926.

The largest industrial growth came from the Yukon Mill and Grain Company owned by the Kroutils and Dobrys. From a small milling operation in 1893 they grew tremendously, and by 1915 were shipping flour and feeds throughout the south and even overseas. In the 1930s, the Dobry family withdrew and built the Dobry Mills (this building is now owned by Mid-Continent Co-op).

New businesses were opening and the town was spreading out. The little village on two streets has grown into a fine city covering several sections of land, 640 miles of streets, 90 miles of water lines and 6,400 water meters as of 1991.

From a one-room school, the school system now has a high school, a mid-high, two middle schools and seven elementary schools. Yukon also has some private schools and nursery schools.

From the few tiny churches at the beginning, Yukon now has many churches of many denominations. There is a Ministerial Alliance and more groups working to provide aid to citizens. Many clubs and organizations support most every type of service for the community.

The telephone system began with one telephone in 1892 and now has about 13,000 in an up-to-date electronic system.

The Yukon city government began with a three-man board and has progressed to a city manager system with a five-person city council. The City manages numerous departments including, water, streets, fire, police, parks, treatment and supply, sanitation, billing, equipment maintenance and building maintenance.

• This section incorporates material from the official City of Yukon website, and is used with permission.

External links

• Official Yukon website
• Yukon Public Schools
• Mabel C. Fry Public Library
• Urban OK Forums -- Yukon Civic & Development Discussion