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Greer County, Oklahoma

(Redirected from History of Greer County, Oklahoma)

Greer County is a county located along the southwest border of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,491.[1] Its county seat is Mangum.[2] From 1860 to 1896, the state of Texas claimed an area known as Greer County, Texas, which included present-day Greer County along with neighboring areas. In 1896 it was designated as a county in Oklahoma Territory under a ruling by the US Supreme Court.[3] The rural Greer County is home to Quartz Mountain State Park, near the community of Lone Wolf, Oklahoma. It is also home to the Oklahoma State Reformatory, located in Granite.[4] Its population has declined since 1930 due to changes in agriculture and migration to cities for work.

Greer County
County
Greer County Courthouse in Mangum
Greer County Courthouse in Mangum
Map of Oklahoma highlighting Greer County
Location within the U.S. state of Oklahoma
Map of the United States highlighting Oklahoma
Oklahoma's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°56′N 99°34′W / 34.93°N 99.56°W / 34.93; -99.56
Country United States
State Oklahoma
Founded1896
Named forJohn Alexander Greer
SeatMangum
Largest cityMangum
Area
 • Total
644 sq mi (1,670 km2)
 • Land639 sq mi (1,660 km2)
 • Water4.3 sq mi (11 km2)  0.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
5,491
 • Density8.5/sq mi (3.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitegreer.okcounties.org

History

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After a dispute over the 1819 Adams-Onís Treaty and the related 1828 Treaty of Limits, the governments of both the United States and the state of Texas claimed ownership of some 1.5 million acres (6,100 km2) in what was then operated as Greer County, Texas. The county was named for former Texas lieutenant governor, John A. Greer.[4] Litigation followed, and in the case of United States v. State of Texas 162 U.S. 1 (1896), with a ruling issued on March 16, the Supreme Court, having original jurisdiction over the case, decided in favor of the United States.

The county was assigned to the Oklahoma Territory on May 4, 1896. When Oklahoma was admitted as a state, Greer County was established according to its current boundaries; the remaining former county area was organized as Harmon, Jackson, and part of Beckham counties. The town of Mangum, designated as the county seat in 1886 when it was part of Texas, continued as the seat of Greer County, Oklahoma.[4] From its establishment until at least 1903, Greer County was a sundown county, prohibiting African Americans from living in the county.[5]

Originally developed for agriculture, the rural county had its peak of population in 1930. Mechanization of agriculture reduced the need for farm labor, and the population has declined as people migrated to cities for work.

Among the county attractions is Quartz Mountain State Park (known from 2002 to 2020 as Quartz Mountain Nature Park), near the community of Lone Wolf.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 644 square miles (1,670 km2), of which 639 square miles (1,660 km2) is land and 4.3 square miles (11 km2) (0.7%) is water.[6]

Western Greer County lies in the Gypsum Hills, while the eastern one-third is in the Red Bed Plains physiographic region. The county is drained by the North Fork Red River, Elm Fork Red River, and Salt Fork Red River.[4]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
191016,449—
192015,836−3.7%
193020,28228.1%
194014,550−28.3%
195011,749−19.3%
19608,877−24.4%
19707,979−10.1%
19807,028−11.9%
19906,559−6.7%
20006,061−7.6%
20106,2392.9%
20205,491−12.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010[11]

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 6,061 people, 2,237 households, and 1,442 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (3.9 people/km2). There were 2,788 housing units at an average density of 4 units per square mile (1.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 81.46% White, 8.78% Black or African American, 2.47% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.99% from other races, and 3.02% from two or more races. 7.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,237 households, out of which 25.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.00% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.50% were non-families. 33.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.00% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 20.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 123.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 129.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,793, and the median income for a family was $30,702. Males had a median income of $24,318 versus $18,641 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,053. About 15.00% of families and 19.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.40% of those under age 18 and 14.80% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

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Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of June 30, 2023[13]
Party Number of Voters Percentage
Democratic 916 32.28%
Republican 1,501 52.89%
Others 421 14.83%
Total 2,838 100%
United States presidential election results for Greer County, Oklahoma[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 1,511 82.30% 304 16.56% 21 1.14%
2020 1,605 81.35% 328 16.62% 40 2.03%
2016 1,482 78.16% 323 17.04% 91 4.80%
2012 1,344 73.36% 488 26.64% 0 0.00%
2008 1,548 73.23% 566 26.77% 0 0.00%
2004 1,529 68.02% 719 31.98% 0 0.00%
2000 1,287 59.80% 839 38.99% 26 1.21%
1996 905 35.96% 1,240 49.26% 372 14.78%
1992 964 34.69% 1,162 41.81% 653 23.50%
1988 1,225 48.94% 1,256 50.18% 22 0.88%
1984 1,664 57.36% 1,220 42.05% 17 0.59%
1980 1,535 49.53% 1,492 48.14% 72 2.32%
1976 1,164 35.19% 2,113 63.88% 31 0.94%
1972 2,154 66.40% 1,004 30.95% 86 2.65%
1968 1,225 35.26% 1,419 40.85% 830 23.89%
1964 1,247 31.83% 2,671 68.17% 0 0.00%
1960 2,158 55.96% 1,698 44.04% 0 0.00%
1956 1,499 44.01% 1,907 55.99% 0 0.00%
1952 2,147 48.05% 2,321 51.95% 0 0.00%
1948 713 18.98% 3,044 81.02% 0 0.00%
1944 1,075 26.45% 2,984 73.43% 5 0.12%
1940 1,195 25.21% 3,524 74.35% 21 0.44%
1936 766 16.94% 3,745 82.82% 11 0.24%
1932 418 8.97% 4,240 91.03% 0 0.00%
1928 2,262 57.48% 1,645 41.80% 28 0.71%
1924 551 19.50% 1,982 70.13% 293 10.37%
1920 1,013 32.75% 1,854 59.94% 226 7.31%
1916 369 14.60% 1,675 66.28% 483 19.11%
1912 351 16.80% 1,334 63.86% 404 19.34%

Economy

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The county's economy has been based on farming and raising livestock. In 1907, the main crops were cotton, corn, oats, wheat and alfalfa. Livestock raised includes cattle, horses, mules, swine, sheep and goats.[4]

The Oklahoma State Reformatory is located in Granite in the county and provides some jobs.[4]

Communities

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Cities

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Towns

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Unincorporated communities

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Education

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School districts include:[15]

Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Greer County, Oklahoma". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Oklahoma: Individual County Chronologies". Oklahoma Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. Archived from the original on April 2, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Wilson, Linda D. Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. "Greer County. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  5. ^ "Ban Placed on Negroes". Scott County Kicker. Benton, Missouri. September 5, 1903. p. 2 – via Chronicling America. Because the ban has been placed on the negroes by the citizens of Greer county, Okla., there will be an estimated loss of 5,000 bales of this year's cotton crop. Greer county, which, until a few years ago, was a part of Texas, is one of the big cotton producers of the territory. This year the farmers raised 20 per cent. increased acreage and a 15-per-cent. increase yield, but there is a labor famine. The growers have been threatened by the citizens in general upon every attempt to import negroes, but unless the necessary laborers are secured in the immediate future the financial loss will be great. The growers now have a movement on foot to bring 100 Mexican families to pick the cotton crop. Since the organization of Greer county no negroes have been allowed to live within its boundaries.
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  9. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  11. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. ^ "Oklahoma Registration Statistics by County" (PDF). OK.gov. January 15, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  15. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Greer County, OK" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 13, 2024. - Text list
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Wikisource has the text of the 1879 American Cyclopædia article Greer.

34°56′N 99°34′W / 34.93°N 99.56°W / 34.93; -99.56

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Greer_County,_Oklahoma&oldid=1259390004#History"