65.255.77.2 at 04:51, 23 January 2007

65.255.77.2 — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 04:51:13 GMT

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Purcell, Oklahoma, known as "The Heart of Oklahoma", is a small city of 5,858 (2005 Census estimate, 5,571 in 2000) in central [[Oklahoma]] situated on a bluff overlooking the South Canadian river. It is an outer suburb of the [[Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area]], a short distance south of [[Norman, Oklahoma|Norman]], and The [[University of Oklahoma]].

Purcell is the [[county seat]] of [[McClain County, Oklahoma|McClain County]].

==Geography==
[[Image:OKMap-doton-Purcell.PNG|right|Location of Purcell, Oklahoma]]
Purcell is located at {{coor dms|35|1|3|N|97|22|10|W|city}} (35.017465, -97.369537){{GR|1}}.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 26.9 [[km²]] (10.4 [[square mile|mi²]]). 25.8 km² (9.9 mi²) of it is land and 1.1 km² (0.4 mi²) of it (4.24%) is water.

The central core of Purcell is located at the intersection of [[US-77]] and [[OK-74]]/[[OK-39]]. Access to [[I-35]] is at the north and south ends of the town.

==Demographics==
As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 5,571 people, 2,120 households, and 1,500 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 216.2/km² (560.1/mi²). There were 2,320 housing units at an average density of 90.0/km² (233.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.60% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2.21% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 6.53% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.29% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 4.51% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 4.86% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 10.09% of the population.

There were 2,120 households out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,283, and the median income for a family was $36,128. Males had a median income of $25,494 versus $18,919 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $15,261. About 12.5% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 19.9% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.

==Early history==
Purcell was founded as a [[railroad]] town in [[1887]], with the coming of the [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad]]. The town is named in honor of ATSF railroad director [[Edward Benton Purcell|Edward Benton (E.B.) Purcell]], of [[Manhattan, Kansas|Manhattan]], [[Kansas]].

==Economy==
Purcell and its surrounding communities form a retail trade area of approximately 30,000.[citation needed] The Purcell Area [[Chamber of Commerce]] changed its name to "Heart of Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce" in 2006 to reflect this emerging [[micropolitan trade area]].

The [[FDIC]] reports three local banks and branches of financial institutions with deposits totalling $210 million.

A [[Walmart]] Supercenter was constructed in Purcell in 2006, replacing the older WalMart facility on the north side of town.

==Historic preservation==
Purcell's downtown business district and its many historic buildings underwent major improvements and revitalization at a cost of over $1 million in the 1990's via the "[[U.S. Main Street]]" program. The improvements included new sidewalks, [[Victorian]] lamp posts, storefront restorations, and landscape islands in the downtown area.

Purcell has 3 listings on the National Register of Historic Places:

*'''[[Hotel Love]].''' A three-story Victorian brick building that currently houses an antique store, a bed and breakfast inn, and retail offices/storefronts.

*'''McClain County Courthouse.''' This building is an original turn-of-the-century three-story building. The Courthouse underwent a $2 million restoration in 1995.

*'''[[James C. Nance]] Memorial Bridge.''' Named for a Purcell resident who served as state house speaker from 1929 to 1931 and 1960-2 and state senate president from 1947 to 1949. Nance was also a local newspaper publisher from 1930 through 1984. This bridge spans the South Canadian River, connecting Purcell to Lexington.

In addition, Purcell has named major city facilities to honor local VIPs:

*'''[[Stephen Shephard]] Memorial/Purcell Airport.''' Renamed from Purcell Municipal Airport in 2005 to honor a Pucell High School alumni that became a U.S. pilot and flight instructor and lost his life in the [[Iraq War]].

*'''[[Brent Bruehl]] Memorial Golf Course.''' Named to honor a popular and talented young Purcell High School golf player whose life was ended by cancer in the mid-1970's. The golf course is located with two private health clubs and the municipal pool on a rolling area near Purcell Lake.

==External links==
{{Mapit-US-cityscale|35.017465|-97.369537}}

{{Oklahoma}}
{{Oklahoma City}}

[[Category:Cities in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:McClain County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Cleveland County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:County seats in Oklahoma]]

[[io:Purcell, Oklahoma]]
[[fi:Purcell (Oklahoma)]]

Purcell, Oklahoma - Revision history

65.255.77.2 at 04:51, 23 January 2007