Loading coal in the strip pits at a coal mine in Wilburton, 1898
The community now known as Wilburton was originally established as a group of settlers living around Riddle's Station, a stop for the Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoach along the trail from Fort Smith, Arkansas to Fort Worth, Texas. Riddle's Station was built in 1858 and the Overland Stage operated from 1857 to 1861. According to the Oklahoma Encyclopedia of History and Culture, it was likely named for Will Burton, a contractor and surveyor who was involved in platting the townsite and building the Choctaw Coal and Railway Company line from Wister to McAlester.[6] According to Oklahoma Place Names, it was named after Elisha Wilbur, who was the president of the Lehigh Valley Railroad.[7] The post office was established at Wilburton, Indian Territory in 1891.[7] At the time of its founding, the community was located in Sans Bois County, a part of the Moshulatubbee District of the Choctaw Nation.[8]
On 18 January 1926, ninety-one people were killed in a coal mine explosion in or near Wilburton.[9]
A tornado struck Wilburton on May 5, 1960, and injured more than one hundred people and killed thirteen.[6]
Initially, the local economy was based on cattle production and shipping. Then, during the 1890s and early 20th century, coal mining became the largest industry. In 1909, the state established the Oklahoma School of Mines and Metallurgy in Wilburton. The school name was later changed to Eastern Oklahoma A&M College and it is now known as Eastern Oklahoma State College.[6]
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 2,972 people, 1,004 households, and 674 families residing in the city. The population density was 997.1 inhabitants per square mile (385.0/km2). There were 1,200 housing units at an average density of 402.6 per square mile (155.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 74.93% White, 1.35% African American, 16.92% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.87% from other races, and 5.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.36% of the population.
There were 1,004 households, out of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 20.5% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 16.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $20,878, and the median income for a family was $25,543. Males had a median income of $22,917 versus $18,684 for females. The per capita income for the city was $9,503. About 20.5% of families and 24.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.8% of those under age 18 and 18.0% of those age 65 or over.
Parks and recreation
City of Wilburton park facilities include the Gary Rosebure Recreational Park.[12]
Sycamore Springs Golf Course is a 9-hole, semi-private golf course opened in 1970.[13]
Robbers Cave State Park, which encompasses Lake Carlton, Lake Wayne Wallace, and Coon Creek Lake, is located approximately 5 miles (8 km) north-northwest of the town.[14]
Lloyd Church Lake to the south-southeast of town.[14]
Education
Primary and secondary education
The Wilburton Public School District oversees the Grace Russell Elementary School, the John G. Shero Middle School, and the Nancy W. Taylor High School.
Wilburton is in the region served by the KI BOIS Area Transit System ("KATS"), a low-cost public bus/van service established in 1983 to help communities, primarily in southeast Oklahoma, by providing access to Senior Citizen centers, groceries, medical services, and jobs.[16][17]
Wilburton Municipal Airport (FAA ID: H05) is 4 miles west of town, and features a 3000’ x 60’ paved runway.[18]
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