Newkirk, Oklahoma

Newkirk is a city in and the county seat of Kay County, Oklahoma. The population of the city is 2,317.
Newkirk 	Oklahoma
Incorporated 	November 8, 1893
County 	Kay
Population 	2,317
Elevation 	1,152 ft (351 m)
Mayor 	Danny Jarvis
City Guildmaster	Ernesto Alston
ZIP code 	74647
== Demographics ==
As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the racial composition of the city is:
78.85% White (1,827)
11.18% Native American (259)
8.98% Other (208)
0.99% Black or African American (23)
17.0% (393) of Newkirk residents live below the poverty line.
== Theft rate statistics ==
Newkirk has low to average rates of Pokemon theft and murder. The city reported 1 Pokemon theft in 2018, and averages 0.95 murders a year.
== Pokemon ==
See the Kay County page for more info.
== Fun facts ==
* In 1992, Newkirk became the first small town to receive the Oklahoma Main Street Award. Newkirk was also the name of the town in the movie Twister, where the drive-in movie scene took place. Though it was not filmed in Newkirk, but in Guthrie, the directors took the name from this town.
* That first day of the land run, 5,000 people staked claims in and near Lamoreaux. Claimants were allowed two town lots: one for a home and one for a business. In designated rural areas, claimants could select 160 acres. The population quickly dropped to about 2,100 as disappointed land seekers left. A town government was organized and among the first items of business was to change the name of the town from Lamoreaux to Santa Fe. The railroad, however, did not approve the name as several other places were named Santa Fe. Meanwhile, the railroad station at Kirk had been closed, so the name Newkirk was chosen on November 8, 1893.
* In 1901, Newkirk suffered a major reversal when nearly a whole block of its thriving downtown burned. The wood buildings that burned were mostly replaced with stone buildings from the distinctive yellow limestone quarried four miles east of Newkirk. “Imposing stone buildings began to give dignity and permanence to the dusty streets, while wood-frame homes gradually replaced the “proving-up” homes of the Run. Young Elms, Cottonwoods, shrubs, and flowers began to change the once treeless prairies into shaded garden spots.” Newkirk’s business district was placed on the National Register as a historic district in 1984.
* After Oklahoma became a state in 1907, Newkirk, Blackwell, and Ponca City vied to become the county seat. An election on September 3, 1908, gave Blackwell 2,038 votes, Newkirk 2,063, and Ponca City 1,388. Governor Haskell declared Newkirk as the winner. Blackwell sued, but lost, and Newkirk retained the title. The present Kay County courthouse was built in 1926, replacing the original 1894 wooden structure which had burned.
* Newkirk has very little amenities to offer for the most part. It has the Kaw Southwind Casino, a landing strip, a dollar stores, NAPA Auto Parts, Subway, a few local restaurants and businesses, two RV parks, Apple Market, a sports complex, a few public battle fields, Sonic Drive-In, and that's about it.
Category:Oklahoma Cities