McLoud, Oklahoma
McLoud, Oklahoma | |
|---|---|
| Motto: Blackberry Capital of the World | |
 Location of McLoud, Oklahoma | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Pottawatomie |
| Area | |
• Total | 18.4 sq mi (47.7 km2) |
| • Land | 18.3 sq mi (47.5 km2) |
| • Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,093 ft (333 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
• Total | 4,044 |
| • Density | 221.0/sq mi (85.1/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 74851 |
| Area code | 405 |
| FIPS code | 40-45350[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1095268[2] |
McLoud is a town in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States, and is part of the Oklahoma City Consolidated Metropolitan Area. The population was 4,044 at the 2010 census, a 14.0 percent increase from 3,548 at the 2000 census.[3] The town was founded in 1895 and named for John W. McLoud, attorney for the Choctaw, Oklahoma & Gulf Railway.[4]
History
Early day McLoud was known for manufacturing and selling Whiskey to whites and American Indians in dry Indian Territory. Located on the North Canadian River, the original town was destroyed in a flood and was rebuilt on higher ground one mile south.[4]
In June 1895, a post office named McCloud was established for the town, named after railroad attorney John William McLoud. The spelling of the post office name was corrected in October 1895.[4] The town incorporated July 7, 1896.[5]
In 1949, the city was recognized as the "Blackberry Capital of the World" when the Chamber of Commerce sent a crate of blackberries to President Harry S. Truman.[4]
Geography
McLoud is located at 35°24′44″N 97°5′54″W / 35.41222°N 97.09833°W (35.412200, -97.098400).[6] It is about 29 miles (47 km) east of Oklahoma City.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 18.4 square miles (48 km2), of which, 18.3 square miles (47 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) of it (0.43%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2010, there were 4,044 people, 1,102 households. The racial makeup of the town was 2910 White, 241 African American, 569 Native American, 10Asian, 46 Some Other Race, 276 from Two or More Races. There were 1,102 households out of which 356 had children under the age of 18 living with them, In the town the population was spread out with 21.5% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 38.7% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 58.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 49.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $32,475, and the median income for a family was $37,138. Males had a median income of $30,431 versus $20,667 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,774. About 11.6% of families and 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 16.3% of those age 65 or over.
Government and infrastructure
The United States Postal Service operates the McLoud Post Office.[7]
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections operates the Mabel Bassett Correctional Center in the city limits of McLoud in Pottawatomie County,[8]
The City of McLoud hosts a web site for public use and access at http://www.mcloudok.us/
Education
CareerTech
The city of McLoud is served by the Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center in Choctaw, Oklahoma.
Primary and Secondary Schools
McLoud Public Schools consists of two campus sites. The McLoud Elementary campus consists of eight buildings, including the Elemenary building (3rd grade), the Ola Barnett building (4th grade,)the PreK building, the Early Childhood Center (Kindergarten thru 2nd grade), and the Intermediate building (5th and 6th grade). Also at the Elementary campus are the Elementary Gymnasium, the Elementary Multi-Media Center, and the Elementary SafeRoom, which provides tornado protection for the 1,000+ students, staff, and faculty.
The Secondary campus consists of ten buildings. These include McLoud Junior High School (7th & 8th grade) and High School East and West buildings (9th - 12th grades) Also included on the Secondary campus are the Secondary cafeteria, the Secondary Multimeda Center, the Business Building (Business and Computers), a VoAg Building and VoAg Barn, the Home Economics Building, the Fine Arts Building (Band and Drama), and the Secondary SafeRoom which provides the entire secondary campus with tornado protection.
McLoud Schools offers students access to 15 different computer labs across the District. There are four basketball gyms, baseball, football, soccer, and softball fields. McLoud Schools also has indoor practice facilities for their baseball, softball, and wrestling programs, as well as the football field house.[9]
Libraries
McLoud is served by the McLoud Public Library, which is part of the Pioneer Library System.[10]
Culture
Blackberry festival
As the “Blackberry Capital of the World”, McLoud is home to the annual Blackberry Festival sponsored by the McLoud Chamber of Commerce. The festival began in the 1940s as a celebration of the end of the blackberry harvest. Although there is no longer large scale commercial blackberry farming in McLoud, blackberries still grow wild in the area. Another local favorite is the Austin poker tournament held in conjunction with the festival.
The festival is held the first weekend in July at venues throughout the community. The festivities now include a parade, carnival, car show, poker run, baking contest, and pageant. Fireworks and music are also a major part of the activities for the weekend.
References
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ CensusViewer: Population of the City of McLoud, Oklahoma
- ^ a b c d Bird, Leah Horton. Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. "McLoud."Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture - McLoud Retrieved 2/26/2011
- ^ Molder, Klaris."McLoud, 1895 to 1949." Chronicles of Oklahoma. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ "Post Office Location - MCLOUD." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on November 22, 2010.
- ^ "Mabel Bassett Correctional Center." Oklahoma Department of Corrections. Retrieved on November 22, 2010.
- ^ http://www.mcloudschools.us
- ^ Pioneer Library System (accessed May 23, 2013)
External links
Municipalities and communities of Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| Towns | ||
| CDP | ||
| Other communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |