Colcord, Oklahoma

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Colcord is a town located in southern Delaware County, Oklahoma. The population was 819 at the 2000 census.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 Attractions
5 External links

[edit] History

Colcord High School

Colcord began in the 1920s as a small community along the road between Gentry, Arkansas and Kansas, Oklahoma, now OK Highway 116. The settlement centered on the juncture there of a small road connecting the then-healthy town of Row, Oklahoma. Due to better transportation, better highways, and a disastrous fire that wiped out many Row businesses, most of the Row community moved to Colcord. The Row post office was eventually moved to Colcord and the new town was approved to build a high school. A feud between the two towns ensued, and in the first eleven years of Colcord's existence, the school was involved in eleven law suits.

The first name for the growing community was "Little Tulsa." However, Charles Burbage, who set aside the original 65 acres for blocks, lots and streets, decided to name the town after Charles Francis Colcord. Mr. Colcord was a successful and prominent cattle rancher, oil businessman, and early Oklahoma Territory lawman from Oklahoma City, who owned a large ranch west of town. The ranch employed many local residents, and was very important to the economy and spirit of the growing community.

The community hosts Old Settlers Day the second Saturday in June each year to honor its heritage and the many people that settled in the area and established the town.

[edit] Geography

Colcord is located at 36°15′55″N, 94°41′32″W (36.265179, -94.692240)^GR1.

The area surrounding Colcord is mostly farming and cattle, poultry and dairy operations.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.5 km² (2.5 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 819 people, 285 households, and 198 families residing in the town. The population density was 126.0/km² (326.7/mi²). There were 322 housing units at an average density of 49.5/km² (128.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 65.08% White, 0.12% African American, 25.03% Native American, 0.12% from other races, and 9.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.95% of the population.

There were 285 households out of which 42.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.50.

In the town the population was spread out with 35.0% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $21,181, and the median income for a family was $23,750. Males had a median income of $23,333 versus $17,045 for females. The per capita income for the town was $10,440. About 30.0% of families and 30.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.8% of those under age 18 and 33.8% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Attractions

Much of Colcord's recognition is due to New Life Ranch, a nearby Christian retreat camp. Children and teenagers from all over the United States attend the camp in the summer season.