Skiatook, Oklahoma

William C. Rogers, last hereditary Chief of the Cherokees, founded Skiatook in 1872, when he established a trading post in the Cherokee Nation just to the south of Bird Creek where the stream was easily crossed. When a post office was established in Rogers' store in the 1880s, the place was named Ski-a-took. An Osage Indian, Skiatooka, was a frequent trader at the post, so it has been suggested this may be the connection that resulted in the town's name. In 1892, the name was changed from Ski-a-took to its present form.[6]

Historical records have conflicting data as to the origin of Skiatook's name. One story is that the town was founded on land which was the home of a prominent Osage Indian, Skiatooka, and the community around his home was called Skiatooka's Settlement.

Another story is that the name was Cherokee in origin meaning either "big injun me" or describing a large man or a vast tract of land.[6]

Yet another story, told by local natives of Osage descent, is that after a tornado struck the settlement in its early years, while trying to describe to white settlers what had happened in broken English, natives used the phrase "sky-a-took". Literally meaning, the sky had taken the settlement. This story is at least four generations old – and in native tradition – handed down by word of mouth.

The first deed in town was granted to the Skiatook Bank, later known at the First National Bank, on December 18, 1904. Lumber was hauled in to build the bank building and in January 1905, the bank opened. Immediately after this day, despite the harsh winter, active construction began, and many buildings replaced shacks and tents.

Also in 1904, the Midland Valley Railroad was built through the area.[6] The route no longer exists, but has been converted from rail into the 14.5 mile Osage Prairie Trail linking Skiatook with Tulsa to the south.[7]

The weekly newspaper, The Skiatook Sentinel (now known as the Skiatook Journal), was first published in 1904. The town became incorporated during the summer of 1905,[6] with A.E. Townsend as its first mayor. By the fall of 1906, the residents had the conveniences of natural gas and public telephones.

After Oklahoma Statehood in 1907, construction began on permanent roads and bridges. Several country schools had been scattered throughout the area, and Skiatook Schools began in 1905. The first church building constructed in Skiatook was the First Christian Church in 1907. Before this, congregations met in several places in town, including homes and businesses.

Cement sidewalks were constructed between 1909 and 1910, and in 1912 Skiatook received water, sewer and electric light improvements. The area experienced much growth in the oil, gas and farm industries. Increased traffic through town warranted better streets, and by the fall of 1919, Skiatook had 15 blocks of continuous cement paved streets. In 1920, Skiatook had 2,000 residents and around 50 businesses.

A road to Tulsa was paved in the early 1920s, and with good roads leading out in all directions, Skiatook became known as the "Gateway to all points North, South, East and West". In the 1930s, Skiatook began purchasing water from Spavinaw, but the completion of Skiatook Lake in 1984 gave Skiatook its own water source.

As of the 2010 census, there were 7,397 people, 2,796 households, and 1,989 families residing in the town. The population density was 456.2 people per square mile (142.5/km²). There were 2,125 housing units at an average density of 145.3 per square mile (56.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 73.3% White, 0.6% African American, 17.7% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 8.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9% of the population.[10]

There were 2,796 households, out of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 31.0% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,617, and the median income for a family was $52,072. Males had a median income of $30,873 versus $21,419 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,943. About 9.4% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.7% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.[11]

Skiatook Lake, Skiatook Statuary (Producer of the World's Largest Ornamental Concrete, and the first producer to ship to Russia), Skiatook Museum, The Healing Rock, Civil War Battle Marker (Battle of Chustenahlah), Captain's Cemetery, Hillside Cemetery, View from Javine Hill, Horse and Cattle Ranches, Skiatook Airport, John Zink Scout Ranch, Herbert Pinc Auditorium, the newly constructed 103,000 sq ft (9,600 m²) arena (the Skiatook Multi-Purpose Activity Center) which will seat 6,000 people, Woodland Christmas Tree Farm, Vegetable and Fruit Market, Pecan and Flower Market, Community Building, Cedar Crest Golf course, CrossTimbers Resort & Marina, and Crystal Bay Marina and finally the hillside cemetery home of the witches grave.

Skiatook residents enjoy multiple recreational opportunities, including Osage Park, John Zink Park, Smith Park, the Skiatook Sports Park, soccer fields, tennis courts, a nine-hole golf course, a driving range, shooting range, and Skiatook Lake. There are numerous little leagues (football, baseball, softball, soccer) and an adult soccer league.

The Osage Prairie Trail was constructed with Vision 2025 funds, and this 14 miles (23 km) jogging and bike trail connects Skiatook to Tulsa's extensive bike and jogging trail system. The Skiatook community pool was opened in the 1950s, and provided swimming lessons to thousands of Skiatook children. Due to deteriorating conditions, the old pool was closed in 2001. The new pool opened to the public on June 2, 2007.[14]

Skiatook has a city government with a 7-member city council and a City Manager. City public services include a full-time fire department, which also provides emergency medical service for Skiatook and the surrounding rural area (approx. 500 square miles (1,290 km²)); a full-time police department with 24-hour E911 communications center; and refuse service, sanitation and sewage. The city is responsible for a comprehensive city plan and for zoning.

In May, 2019, the city council voted unanimously for Roger Upton to serve as Mayor for the next two years. Herb Forbes will serve as Vice Mayor during the same period.[17]

Skiatook has one newspaper, the Skiatook Journal. The paper is published every Wednesday. It is owned by BH Media Group.

Skiatook also has an entertainment tabloid. The Hub of Skiatook is a bi-monthly entertainment publication that spotlights local people, businesses, and events. Its Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/TheHubSkiatook/, features regular videos of local content.

Ronnie Dunn of the country music band Brooks & Dunn lived in Skiatook as a teenager.

Actor Wes Studi of films such as Dances with Wolves, The Last of the Mohicans, Geronimo: An American Legend, The New World, and Avatar spent a portion of his childhood years living with his family in Skiatook.

Joshua Morrow, star of "The Young and the Restless", attended Skiatook High School in the late 1980s.

Olympian Glen Dawson is from Skiatook.

• Town Website