Covington History – Covington town in Oklahoma

 

 

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Map:

 

Official Geographical Location:

36.30747 North, 97.58562 Wes

Geographical Description:

Zip codes: 73730

Population in 2019 was 532, 2000 was 553, 1990:was 590 and was 769 in 1970. Number of dwellings: 274

Land area: 1.268 sq. kms. (0.49 sq miles or 313 acres). It is in the Central Standard time zone. Elevation is 1,142 feet. Water area: 0 sq.kms.

A small town in Garfield County, North Oklahoma, North of Oklahoma City & 17 miles East South East of Enid, South of Garber, North of Guthrie and West of Perry on U.S. Route 64.

Majority of the population are employed in the oil & natural gas wells, wheat, livestock, poultry or dairy products trades.

History:

Was part of the Cherokee Outlet, opened by run in 1893. The town is named for local homesteader and townsite investor John Covington. In Otter Township, three communities were platted in adjoining quarter sections: Covington in 1903 by the Arkansas Valley Townsite Company, East Covington in 1905 by the Frisco Lot and Land Company, and West Covington in 1905 by A. F. Wolf. The three lay along the Arkansas Valley and Western Railway (after 1907 the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway) as it was constructed from Tulsa to Steen (northeast of Enid) in 1902–03. Lots were sold in 1905 in all three places. The earliest postal designation was for Tripp, which was changed to Covington in February 1903. John Boepple served as postmaster for both from July 1902, and his building was the town's first. By 1907 the place sheltered 133 residents and by 1910, 183.

A great rarity, prepared for the Cherokee Outlet Land Run - Rare & Antique  Maps

During the first decade lots were traded back and forth among several promoters, and in 1914 many non-resident owners lost their lots in a tax sale. Nevertheless, the town of Covington, proper, settled down as a farming community. A rural Christian Church congregation was established in 1895, and a Lutheran congregation was established in 1896 for German farm families. By 1907 statehood the Methodists also held services.

Area residents made a living by from wheat farming, and Covington provided services. Enterprises in 1909 included two implement dealers, two lumber companies, and two livestock dealers. Two elevators operating in 1909 expanded to three by 1918. From statehood through the mid-1930s residents supported as twelve stores and shops, two hotels, and four restaurants.

Area residents made a living by from wheat farming, and Covington provided services. Enterprises in 1909 included two implement dealers, two lumber companies, and two livestock dealers. Two elevators operating in 1909 expanded to three by 1918. From statehood through the mid-1930s residents supported as twelve stores and shops, two hotels, and four restaurants.

Covington Historical Society - About | Facebook

Recent History:

By the 1930s automotive garages and supply houses abounded, serving locals, farmers, and oil workers. A rural school established in the vicinity in 1901 moved to the new town. By 1936 two school buildings provided education in grades one through twelve. Covington-Douglas School District registered 304 students in 2000.

Covington made headlines in August 1926 when the notorious Kimes brothers, George and Matt, robbed the town's two banks on a quiet Wednesday afternoon. Their gang of four or five locked twenty-four people in a vault and demanded "just the bank's money, not the widows' and orphans'." The crooks were captured a month later.

THE KIMES GANG: Amazon.co.uk: Koch, Michael: 9781418471286: Books

In 1917 an oil boom resulted in numerous wells being drilled in the Garber-Covington oil field. Through the twentieth century oil production continued to provide employment. Champlin Oil and Refining Company of Enid was an important operator. Wheat farming and agricultural services have also continued to generate jobs and income.

The Covington Leader and then the Covington Record have reported the news. Near Covington, the Kimmell Barn is listed in the National Register (NR 84003021).

The Covington Record from Covington, Oklahoma on December 18, 1958 · 1

North Central Oklahoma Cactus Botanical Garden is a botanical garden located at 308 West Main, Covington, Oklahoma. It includes over 1,500 types of rare and exotic cacti and succulents.

Population peaked in 1920 at 1,283, in 1930 dropped to 927, and from 1940 through 1990 hovered between 600 and 800. The 2000 U.S. Census recorded 553 inhabitants and the 2010 census, 527. As of the census of 2000, there were 224 households, and 159 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,373.1 people per square mile (533.8/km˛). There were 259 housing units at an average density of 643.1/sq mi (250.0/km˛). The racial makeup of the town was 93.49% White, 3.98% Native American, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 2.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.27% of the population.

There were 224 households out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the town the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 17.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $26,979, and the median income for a family was $32,222. Males had a median income of $30,625 versus $13,594 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,788. About 10.5% of families and 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.2% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over

Covington, Oklahoma (OK 73730) profile: population, maps, real estate, averages, homes, statistics, relocation, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, moving, houses, news, sex offenders (city-data.com)

Links to other websites:

Covington | The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture (okhistory.org)

Covington, Oklahoma - Wikipedia

 

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