Atoka, Oklahoma

Atoka, Oklahoma
City
Country	United States
State	Oklahoma
County	Atoka
Government
• Mayor	Charles A. McCall III
Area
• Total	22.0 sq mi (22.0 km2)
• Land	21.8 sq mi (21.8 km2)
• Water	0.2 sq mi (0.2 km2)
Elevation	577 ft (176 m)
Population  (estimate, 2005)
• Total	3,100
• Density	354.7/sq mi (137.0/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes	74525, 74542
Area code	580
FIPS code	40-03300Template:GR
GNIS feature ID	1089746Template:GR
Website	http://www.atokacity.com/

Atoka is a city in Atoka County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 2,988 at the 2000 census, but grew to 3,044 as of July 2005. It is the county seat of Atoka CountyTemplate:GR.

Geography

Atoka is located at 34°23′3″N 96°7′39″W (34.384206, -96.127577)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.0 km² (8.5 mi²). 21.8 km² (8.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.71%) is water.

History

Atoka was named after Captain Atoka, a leader of the Choctaw Nation and the signer of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek, which began the process of re-locating the Choctaw people from Mississippi to Oklahoma in 1830. He was believed to be buried near the town of Farris. Atoka is the site of the oldest Catholic parish in Indian Territory, the oldest chapter of the Freemasons in Oklahoma, and the oldest chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star in Oklahoma.

Battle of Middle Boggy Depot

Main article: Battle of Middle Boggy Depot

A small Civil War confrontation occurred on February 13, 1864 north of Atoka. Early in 1864, Colonel Cannibus A. Philips set out with some 1500 Union troops from Fort Gibson, Arkansas, to cut a swath through Confederate Indian Territory (Oklahoma). Their purpose was to break Confederate control over Indian Territory and gain the support and possibly recruits from the Native Americans.

"I take you with me to clean out the Indian Nation south of the river and drive away and destroy rebels. Let me say a few words to you that you are not to forget .... Those who are still in arms are rebels, who ought to die. Do not kill a prisoner after he has surrendered. But I do not ask you to take prisoners. I ask you to make your footsteps severe and terrible. Muskogees! (Creeks) the time has now come when you are to remember the authors of all your sufferings; those who started a needless and wicked war .... Stand by me faithfully and we will soon have peace ...." -- Colonel William A. Philips, to his men before beginning the campaign

Along the way, Colonel Phillips sent out an advance of about 350 men toward Boggy Depot, a large Confederate supply base located on the Texas Road with the intention of capturing the outpost. While enroute, his command encountered a small Confederate camp on the banks of the Middle Boggy River, made up of around 90 Confederate soldiers.

In the ensuing skirmish 47 Confederate soldiers were killed. Among the dead were those wounded who had been left behind when their comrades retreated. They were found on the battlefield with their throats slashed. There were no Union deaths as a result of the battle.

Founding

An early, turn-of-the-century photograph of Court Street in Atoka.

Though the Choctaw Indians had inhabited the area since the 1830's with a small town located near the city today, the city was officially founded by a Baptist Missionary named J.S. Murrow in 1867 and quickly supplanted the dying town of Boggy Depot as the chief city in Atoka County. A main contributing factor in the early growth of Atoka was the MKT Railroad, which came through the area in the early 1870s. The railroad provided the economic lifeblood to Atoka that any isolated rural town needs to survive and flourish.

Also during this time about 1896, the third Governor of Oklahoma and first Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, Robert L. Williams, moved to Atoka (then a part of the old Indian Territory) from Troy, Alabama.

Today, the railroad is the most noticeable dividing line in the town. The portion of Atoka that lies to the west of the tracks is where much of Atoka's business is located. The parts of Atoka that lie to the east of the railroad, called Dunbar or "The Hill" by local citizens, is generally less prosperous. It is also home to a sizeable portion, if not most, of Atoka's African American population.

Recent Developments

Despite being strategically located at the intersection of two major highways (especially U.S. 69, a major transportation artery in the region), Atoka is struggling to create a town attractive to both new business and new residents. Even though the town has experienced an economic upturn in the past few years, it still lacks the main thing that ensures economic prosperity and attracts new residents: well-paying jobs.

However, there is a beacon of hope for Atoka in the future. For the past several years, economic growth has been steadily moving northward along U.S. 69 from Dallas, Texas. Two towns located to the south of Atoka, Durant, Oklahoma; and Sherman, Texas, are experiencing tremendous economic and population growth. As this wave of development gradually moves north, the next town in line is the city of Atoka. If the growth continues, it is possible that Atoka could begin to see the type of expansion currently underway across the Red River to the south.

NRHP Sites

Historical sites in Atoka include the Atoka Armory Building, the First Methodist Church Building, the Old Masonic Temple Building, the Middle Boggy Battlefield Site and Confederate Museum, Old Atoka State Bank, the Pioneer Club Building, and the Waddel's Station Site, all of which are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Government and Politics

Municipal Government

The city of Atoka operates under a home-rule charter. The Atoka City Council has five elected members, which includes the Mayor, and Vice Mayor. Current council members are Elizabeth Frazier, Randy Daniel, and Bob Frederick.

The office of Mayor of Atoka is largely a ceremonial position, as most executive authority is held by the City Manager, who acts on behalf of the council. The current city manager is Don Walker. The current mayor Charles A. McCall III, elected in 2005 replaced, Mayor Coby Sherrill, who did not seek reelection after serving one term. Another mayoral election is scheduled for 2007. Other office holders include the Vice-Mayor, Jay Voto.

County Judicial System

Atoka County's original courthouse, which was torn down in favor of a more modern structure in 1962.

Being the county seat of Atoka County, Atoka is the center of the county judicial system. The courthouse is located on Court Street and the building has served as such since 1963 when it replaced the old courthouse. The city judge is David Youngblood and the city attorney is Richard Mayfield.

State and National Government

Atoka is included in Oklahoma's 2nd House Congressional District, of which Dan Boren is the representative. The city is also included in State House District 20 and State Senate District 5, of which State Representative Paul D. Roan and Senator Jeff Rabon represent respectively in the state legislature.

For further details, refer to the Oklahoma State Election Board's Election Results and Statistics for the 2006 elections

Economy

Atoka is traditionally a ranching and farming community with its economic base firmly planted in agriculturally related venues. However, in recent years, efforts have been made the Chamber of Commerce, the City Council, and various other local leaders to create new industrial jobs in Atoka and Atoka County. Currently, an industrial park is open for development north of the city on U.S. Highway 69, as well as a smaller park on U.S. Highway 75 west of town.

In August 2006, the city's largest employer, Ethan Allen Furniture, announced that it would be closing its Atoka plant in favor of "selected off-shore vendors", as reported in the The Oklahoman following the announcement of the plant's closing. With the closure of the Ethan Allen plant, located north of the city proper, more than two hundred people lost their jobs (many of whom had held them since the plant opened). As of May, 2007, Ethan Allen has resumed operations at the Atoka plant, converting the former manufacturing facility to a distribution center.

Four highways intersect in the town of Atoka: U.S. Highway 69 (a major transportation artery that travels from Texas to Minnesota), State Highway 3, State Highway 7, and U.S. Highway 75, thus making it a convenient stop for motorists. It is located where Highway 69 and U.S. Highway 75 converge (heading south toward Texoma).

In addition to revenue generated at convenience stores, fast-food restaurants, etc., Atoka (and Atoka County) is a popular hunting and fishing area; as well, scenic tourism plays a small, albeit important role in the city's economy. An effort is currently underway to place Atoka along a scenic byway.

Media

Atoka is serviced by several media outlets, including the Atoka County Times, published weekly on Wednesdays, 102.1 KHKC, a radio station headquartered on the county line between Atoka and Coal Counties, and KXII and KTEN, television stations broadcasting from Sherman, Texas.

Education

Being the largest in the county and having the best opportunities for education, the Atoka Public Schools System has students from all over Atoka County, although there are three other small high schools in Caney, Stringtown, and Tushka. The Atoka Public Schools mascot is the Wampus cat and the current superintendent is Mark McPherson.

Atoka High School

The Atoka High School campus is located on the west side of the town and enrollment averages between 300 to 400 students from grades 9 to 12. Besides offering the basic courses and several Advanced Placement programs, Atoka High School offers classes in Spanish, Choir, Agricultural Education (FFA), Drama, etc. The Mock Trial team has won the Oklahoma competition six of the past nine years and has represented Oklahoma in the national competitions in Alberquerque, St.Louis, Omaha, Minneapolis, Charlotte and Oklahoma City.

Junior High and Elementary Education

C.A. "Barney" McCall Junior High School is located due south of the high school campus. The junior high school averages between 200 and 250 in enrollment. The current principal is Chad Graham.

The Atoka Elementary School is located on the old campus of the Atoka High School west of the center of town. Phillips Field, Atoka's football field, is located at this site.

Private and Higher Education

Victory Life Academy-Atoka is a small, private, non-denominational Christian academy that is under the supervision of Duane Sheriff Ministries of Durant, Oklahoma. The school has classes for Pre-K to the eighth grade. After students graduate from the eighth grade, they may choose to attend the Atoka High School, or to attend Victory Life Academy in Durant, Oklahoma, also under the supervision of Duane Sheriff Ministries.

The Atoka Kiamichi Technology Center campus offers courses in Business Information Technology, Computer Repair, Cosmetology, Child Care, Nursing, Auto Mechanics, and Carpentry. The current site administrator is Elaine Gee.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 2,988 people, 1,277 households, and 735 families residing in the city. The population density was 137.0/km² (354.7/mi²). There were 1,499 housing units at an average density of 68.7/km² (178.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.86% White, 11.51% African American, 10.27% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.10% from other races, and 4.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.90% of the population.

There were 1,277 households out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.4% were non-families. 39.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 22.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 78.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $18,361, and the median income for a family was $22,344. Males had a median income of $25,431 versus $19,495 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,017. About 19.1% of families and 25.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.9% of those under age 18 and 17.8% of those age 65 or over.

Famous People from Atoka

• Crystal Robinson - WNBA player for the Washington Mystics and New York Liberty.
• U.L. Washington - former MLB player for the Kansas City Royals, Montreal Expos, and Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Matthew Mungle - winner of an Academy Award for Makeup and four-time winner of an Emmy Award.

Locations of Interest

• Old Masonic Temple
• Old Atoka State Bank
• Atoka County Courthouse
• Confederate Memorial Museum - contains numerous artifacts, including the bones of a new specie of dinosaur discovered in Atoka County.
• Middle Boggy Battlefield Site - location of a Civil War battle near the Confederate Memorial Museum.
• El Adobe Mexican Restaurant - a locally famous restaurant and a major social gathering place that has been open more than thirty years.

External links

• Atoka Official Website
• Atoka County Chamber of Commerce
• Atoka Public Schools