Ada, Oklahoma

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                            = Ada, Oklahoma
| settlement_type                 = [[City]]
| image_skyline                   = Ada City Hall, Ada, Oklahoma.jpg
| image_caption                   = Ada City Hall
| image_map                       = OKMap-doton-Ada.PNG
| map_caption                     = Location in the state of [[Oklahoma]]
| image_map1                      = 
| map_caption1                    = 
| subdivision_type                = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_type1               = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2               = [[List of counties in Oklahoma|County]]
| subdivision_name                = United States
| subdivision_name1               = [[Oklahoma]]
| subdivision_name2               = [[Pontotoc County, Oklahoma|Pontotoc]]
| government_type                 = City Council
| leader_title                    = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name                     = Tre' Landrum, D.O.
| established_title               = Post Office
| established_date                = 1891
| area_total_km2                  = 52.32
| area_total_sq_mi                = 20.20
| area_land_km2                   = 52.17
| area_land_sq_mi                 = 20.14
| area_water_km2                  = 0.15
| area_water_sq_mi                = 0.06
| area_water_percent              = 0
| area_urban_km2                  = 
| area_urban_sq_mi                = 
| area_metro_km2                  = 
| area_metro_sq_mi                = 
| population_as_of                = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_total                = 16481
| population_density_sq_mi        = 818.20
| population_density_km2          = 315.90
| population_blank1_title         = [[Demonym]]
| population_blank1               = Adan
| timezone                        = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset                      = -6
| timezone_DST                    = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]]
| utc_offset_DST                  = -5
| coordinates                     = {{coord|34|45|49|N|96|40|06|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_ft                    = 1011
| elevation_footnotes             = <ref name=gnis/>
| postal_code_type                = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code                     = 74820-74821
| area_code                       = [[Area code 580|580]]
| blank_name                      = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info                      = 40-00200 <ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
| blank1_name                     = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info                     = 2409660<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2409660}}</ref>
| website                         = [http://www.adaok.com adaok.com]
| footnotes                       = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
|unit_pref = Imperial
|area_footnotes = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
|population_footnotes = 
}}

'''Ada''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Pontotoc County, Oklahoma|Pontotoc County]], [[Oklahoma]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=2011-05-31 }}</ref> The population was 16,481 at the [[2020 United States Census]]. The city was named for Ada Reed, the daughter of an early settler, and was incorporated in 1901.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.adaok.com/about_ada.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070812124430/http://www.adaok.com/about_ada.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-08-12|title=About Ada|date=2007-08-12|access-date=2018-09-12}}</ref> Ada is home to [[East Central University]], and is the capital of the [[Chickasaw Nation]]. Ada is an Oklahoma [[List of Main Street Programs in the United States|Main Street City]], an Oklahoma Certified City, and a [[Tree City USA]] member.<ref name=":1" />

==History==
[[File:PontCoCH.jpg|thumb|right|[[Pontotoc County Courthouse]] in Ada]]

In the late 1880s, the Daggs family (by way of [[Texas]]) became the first white family to settle what is now known as Ada, which was formerly known as Daggs Prairie. In April 1889, Jeff Reed (a Texan and relative of the Daggs family) was appointed to carry the mail from [[Stonewall, Oklahoma|Stonewall]] to Center (which was later combined with Pickett), two small communities in then Indian Territory. With his family and his stock, he sought a place for a home on a prairie midway between the two points, where he constructed a log house and started Reed's Store. Other settlers soon built homes nearby. In 1891, a post office was established and named after Reed's oldest daughter, Ada.<ref name="historyada">[https://web.archive.org/web/20100922033206/http://adaok.com/history_of_ada.htm City of Ada, OK] (accessed February 23, 2007).</ref> Ada incorporated as a city in 1901 and grew rapidly with the arrival of the [[St. Louis and San Francisco Railway]] line. Within a decade the [[Santa Fe Railroad]] and the [[Oklahoma Central Railroad (1914-1942)|Oklahoma Central Railway]] also served the town.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/A/AD001.html|title=OHS Publications Division|date=2016-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505064809/http://www.okhistory.org/publications/|archive-date=2016-05-05|access-date=2018-03-22}}</ref>

Ada was originally a [[sundown town]], where African Americans were not allowed to live. In the 1900s, the town was opened up to African Americans so that black witnesses could stay while testifying in [[Oklahoma District Court|district court]]. Despite a violent episode in 1904, the town remained open to African Americans to provide labor for a local cotton compress.<ref>{{cite news|title=After Negroes in Ada, I.T.|work=[[The Cowley Courier Traveler|Arkansas City Daily Traveler]]|location=Arkansas City, Kansas|date=March 30, 1904|page=1|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29072585/|via=Newspapers.com|quote=Until recently the people of Ada, a town of 300, have refused to allow negroes to reside within the corporation. As district court is held there it became necessary to secure some place where negro witnesses might stay during the session. Judge Townsend induced the people to allow a negro restaurant to be established. Following this barber shops, stores and hotels were put up by negroes. Notices were served on these people by unknown parties that unless they left the town immediately they must suffer the consequences. They refused to leave and last night a negro restaurant was blown up by dynamite and an occupant of the building seriously injured. ... As a cotton compress is to begin operations here next fall considerable negro labor will be required, and most citizens now believe negroes should be allowed to live there.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Used Dynamite|work=Alexandria Daily Town Talk|location=Alexandria, Louisiana|date=March 31, 1904|page=7|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29072626/|via=Newspapers.com|quote=Unknown parties dynamited the house of Lum Williams, seriously injuring one negro and demolishing the building. The negroes occupying the house had been warned several times not to let the sun go down on them in Ada. The card of warning was signed 'Old Danger.' Heretofore negroes were not allowed to live in Ada, and these were only allowed to stay to accommodate the negroes attending court. After court they refused to leave.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Considers Conspiracy Law|work=The Wagoner Echo|location=Wagoner, Indian Territory|date=November 19, 1904|page=5|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29387086/|via=Newspapers.com|quote=Now in [[Durant, Oklahoma|Durant]] and other towns in the Central District, and for that matter, in [[Holdenville, Oklahoma|Holdenville]], Ada and other towns in the territory notices had been posted for the Negroes not to let the sun go down on them in said towns.}}</ref>

In 1909, the women of Ada organized an effort to build a [[normal school]] in their city. It resulted in the founding of East Central College (now [[East Central University]]).<ref name=":0" />

On April 19, 1909, an organized mob hanged four men, among whom was American outlaw [[Jim Miller (outlaw)|Deacon Jim Miller]], who was set to be tried for the murder of a former U.S. marshal and member of the local freemason lodge.<ref name="lynching">[http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/history/ada_lynching.html "Ada, Oklahoma Lynching, 1909"] at [http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/ Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon] (accessed April 1, 2010)</ref> The town had a population of about 5,000 at the time, and 38 murders a year at the time of the lynching.<ref name="lynching"/> The ''[[The Ardmoreite|Daily Ardmoreite]]'' reported that the four lynched men were "one of the bloodiest band of murderers in the state of Oklahoma and an organization of professional assassins, that for a record of blood crimes, probably has no equal in the annals of criminal history in the entire southwest".<ref>[[The Ardmoreite|The Daily Ardmoreite]]. Ardmore, Oklahoma. Monday, 19 April 1909 www.oklahomahistory.net (accessed January 1, 2008).</ref>

The first manufacturing company in Ada, the Portland Cement Company, installed the first [[cement clinker]] in Oklahoma in 1910. American Glass Casket Company began manufacturing glass caskets in 1916, but the business failed. Hazel Atlas Glass bought the plant in 1928 and produced glass products until 1991.<ref name=":0" />

===National Register of Historic Places===
The following sites in Ada are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma]]:<ref>[[Pontotoc County, Oklahoma]]</ref>

* [[Ada Arts and Heritage Center]]
* Bebee Field Round House
* [[East Central State Normal School]]
* [[F.W. Meaders House]]
* Mijo Camp Industrial District
* [[Pontotoc County Courthouse]]
* [[Sugg Clinic]]
* [[Wintersmith Park Historic District]]

==Culture==
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a location to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦---> 
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦--->
* [[McSwain Theatre]], opened in 1920

==Geography==
Ada is located in the rolling hills of southeastern Oklahoma.  Ada is <span style="white-space:nowrap">{{convert|88|mi}}</span> from [[Oklahoma City]], <span style="white-space:nowrap">{{convert|122|mi|abbr=on}}</span> from [[Tulsa]], and <span style="white-space:nowrap">{{convert|133|mi|abbr=on}}</span> from [[Dallas, Texas]].<ref name=":1" />

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|15.8|sqmi|1}}, of which {{convert|15.7|sqmi|1}} is land and {{convert|0.1|sqmi|1}} (0.44%) is water.

===Climate===
{{Weather box
|location = Ada, Oklahoma
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 84
|Feb record high F = 90
|Mar record high F = 96
|Apr record high F = 99
|May record high F = 100
|Jun record high F = 106
|Jul record high F = 109
|Aug record high F = 116
|Sep record high F = 109
|Oct record high F = 98
|Nov record high F = 88
|Dec record high F = 85

|Jan high F = 51
|Feb high F = 56
|Mar high F = 65
|Apr high F = 75
|May high F = 80
|Jun high F = 89
|Jul high F = 94
|Aug high F = 94
|Sep high F = 87
|Oct high F = 76
|Nov high F = 64
|Dec high F = 54
|year high F=74

|Jan low F = 30
|Feb low F = 34
|Mar low F = 41
|Apr low F = 50
|May low F = 59
|Jun low F = 67
|Jul low F = 71
|Aug low F = 70
|Sep low F = 63
|Oct low F = 52
|Nov low F = 40
|Dec low F = 33
|year low F=51

|Jan record low F = −10
|Feb record low F =   1
|Mar record low F =   3
|Apr record low F =  23
|May record low F =  34
|Jun record low F =  42
|Jul record low F =  55
|Aug record low F =  50
|Sep record low F =  34
|Oct record low F =  19
|Nov record low F =  11
|Dec record low F =  —

|precipitation colour=green
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.1
|Feb precipitation inch = 2.1
|Mar precipitation inch = 2.7
|Apr precipitation inch = 4
|May precipitation inch = 5.9
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.4
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.8
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.2
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.4
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.6
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.4
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.3
|year precipitation inch= 38.8

|Jan snow inch = 2.7
|Feb snow inch = 1.3
|Mar snow inch = 0.8
|Apr snow inch = 0
|May snow inch = 0
|Jun snow inch = 0
|Jul snow inch = 0
|Aug snow inch = 0
|Sep snow inch = 0
|Oct snow inch = 0
|Nov snow inch = 0
|Dec snow inch = 0.6
|year snow inch= 5.4

|source 1 = ''Weatherbase''<ref>{{cite web
| url =http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=39837&refer=
| title = Historical Weather for Ada, Oklahoma, United States}}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}

==Demographics==
[[Image:Broadway - Watertower.jpg|thumb|Picture taken on Broadway of the former Stout family residence with one of the city's water towers behind it.]]
{{US Census population
|1910= 4349
|1920= 8012
|1930= 11261
|1940= 15143
|1950= 15995
|1960= 14347
|1970= 14859
|1980= 15902
|1990= 15820
|2000= 15691
|2010= 16810
|2020= 16481
|footnote=Sources:<ref name="GR2" /><ref name="Census1960">{{cite web|title=Number of Inhabitants: Oklahoma|url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/37749197v1p38ch2.pdf|work=18th Census of the United States|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=22 November 2013 }}{{dead link|date=October 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="Census1990">{{cite web|title=Oklahoma: Population and Housing Unit Counts|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-38.pdf|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=22 November 2013}}</ref><ref name="CensusPopEst">{{cite web|title=Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012.html|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=25 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611010502/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012.html|archive-date=11 June 2013 }}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Ada Racial Composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4000200&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2021-12-07|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]]
|8,942
|54.26%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]]
|696
|4.22%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|2,777
|16.85%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|301
|1.83%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|8
|0.05%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|2,476
|15.02%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|1,281
|7.77%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States Census]], there were 16,481 people, 6,611 households, and 3,552 families residing in the city.
[[File:Chickasawlanguageaudiotour.jpg|thumb|left|Language offerings for audio tours at the Chickasaw Cultural Center, including Chickasaw, [[English language|English]], and [[Spanish language|Spanish]].]]

===2010 census===
As of the 2010 [[census]], Ada's 16,810 residents consisted of 6,697 households and 3,803 families. The population density was {{convert|999.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The 7,862 housing units were dispersed at an average density of {{convert|475.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. Ada's 2006 racial makeup was 73.81% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.54% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 15.10% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.83% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.89% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 5.81% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanics]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latinos]] of any race were 2.89% of the population.

Of Ada's 6,697 households, 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.2% were non-families. The 15.8% of those 65 years or older living alone made up a substantial portion of the 37.1% single-person households. Average household size was 2.20 persons; average family size was 2.91.

The age breakdown in 2006 was 22.3% under the age of 18, 17.5% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% aged 65 or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females aged 18 or over, there were 84.5 males, while for all ages, there were 100 females for every 88.4 males.

Median household income was $22,977, while median family income was $31,805. Males had a median income of $25,223 versus $17,688 for females. Ada's [[per capita income]] was $14,666. Some 14.8% of families and 21.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 27.8% of those under 18 and 11.4% of those 65 or over.

An estimated 2,000-3,000 residents speak the [[Chickasaw language]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7981&context=rtd|title = Language Extinction and the Status of North American Indian Languages|last = Robins Hunter|first = Phoebe| date=January 1994 }}</ref>

==Economy==
The economy of Ada is diversified. In the mid and late 20th century, the town was a manufacturing center, producing products such as [[Wrangler jeans]], auto parts, cement and concrete, plasticware, and other products. Since the start of the 21st century, manufacturers have made major investments in expansions and new technology.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kxii.com/content/news/100-year-old-cement-plant-gets-modernized-425794834.html|title=100 year old cement plant gets modernized|first=Sydney|last=Gray|website=kxii.com|date=June 2017 |access-date=19 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://newsok.com/article/5513183/ada-company-develops-lead-free-fuel-to-power-general-aviation-industry/|title=Ada company develops lead-free fuel to power general aviation industry|date=9 August 2016|website=NewsOK.com|access-date=19 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Swanson |first=Eric |date=Apr 9, 2014 |title=Globe Manufacturing celebrates 10 years in Ada |url=http://www.theadanews.com/news/local_news/globe-manufacturing-celebrates-years-in-ada/article_72603e1e-9243-54a8-ac48-4fab4279a5ec.html |access-date=February 21, 2023 |website=The Ada News}}</ref>

In 1975, the Chickasaw Nation opened its headquarters in Ada.<ref name="EOHC-Ada">Floyd, Billie Fathree and Alberta Johnson Blackburn. [http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/A/AD001.html "Ada".] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412071240/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/A/AD001.html |date=2010-04-12 }} ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture''. Retrieved 2009-10-7.</ref><ref name=":0" />  Revenues for the Nation were over 12 billion dollars in 2011, most of which is funneled through Ada.<ref>{{cite web|title=Financial Reports of the Chickasaw|url=http://www.chickasaw.net/governor/index_1653.htm|access-date=28 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016185323/http://chickasaw.net/governor/index_1653.htm|archive-date=16 October 2012}}</ref> The Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Center, a large water research lab staffed by the [[Environmental Protection Agency]], opened in 1966.<ref name=":0" /> [[LegalShield]], a [[multi-level marketing]] provider of pre-paid legal services, is headquartered in the city. Oil and natural gas remain a part of the regional economy.

The largest employers in the region are:<ref>{{cite journal|author=Oklahoma Department of Commerce|title=Southern WIA Economic Profile|date=April 2011|url=http://okcommerce.gov/assets/files/data-and-research/workforce-data/Southern-WIA-Economic-Profile-_3273.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815203610/http://okcommerce.gov/assets/files/data-and-research/workforce-data/Southern-WIA-Economic-Profile-_3273.pdf|archive-date=2012-08-15}}</ref>

*Ada City Schools
*Chickasaw Nation
*East Central University
*[[iQor]] (call center for [[Sprint Corporation|Sprint]])
*Pontotoc County Technology Center
*[[Dart Container]] (formerly [[Solo Cup Company|Solo Cup]])
*Flex-N-Gate (auto parts manufacturer)
*Holcim Inc. (Portland cement)
*[[LegalShield]]
*Power Lift Foundation Repair
*State of Oklahoma
*[[Walmart]]
*Kerr Lab
*Mercy Hospital Ada
*City of Ada

==Education==
[[Image:ECUTiger.jpg|right|thumbnail|ECU's Honor Plaza]]

===Higher education===
[[East Central University]], located in Ada, is a public four-year institution that has been in operation since 1909. ECU serves roughly 4,500 students is known internationally for its [[cartography]] program, as only a few such programs exist.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}
ECU is also home to an Environmental Health Science Program, one of only 30 programs nationally accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nehspac.org/about-ehac/accredited-programs-ehac-undergraduate-programs/|title=Undergraduate Accredited Programs {{!}} NEHSPAC|website=www.nehspac.org|access-date=2018-12-15}}</ref>

===Primary and secondary===
{{Main|Ada Independent School District}}

[[Ada Independent School District|Ada Public Schools]] has six primary and secondary schools.
* Glenwood Early Childhood Center
* Hayes Grade Center
* Washington Grade Center
* Willard Grade Center
* Ada Junior High School
* Ada High School

[[Latta Public Schools]] has one high school in Ada: [[Latta High School]]

===Technical school===
[[Pontotoc Technology Center]] (formerly Pontotoc Area Vo-Tech) is located in Ada.

==Infrastructure==
===Highways===
Major highways are:
* [[Oklahoma State Highway 3]]
* [[Oklahoma State Highway 99|U.S. Route 377]]

===Rail===
Rail Freight is serviced by [[BNSF]] and a Union Pacific shoreline.

===Air===
The Ada Regional Airport (FAA Identifier: ADH), owned and operated by the City of Ada, is located two miles north of downtown, and is home to two major aeronautical industries—General Aviation Modifications, Inc. and Tornado Alley Turbo.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://adaok.com/departments/airport/|title=Airport|publisher=Ada, Oklahoma|access-date=July 10, 2020}}</ref>  From the early 1950s well into the 1960s, the airport was served by [[Central Airlines]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/cn2/cn5006/|title=Central Airlines, Effective June 5, 1950|publisher=Timetableimages.com|access-date=October 1, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/cn2/cn67/ |title=Central Airlines, Effective July 1, 1967|publisher=Timetableimages.com|access-date=October 1, 2020}}</ref>

==Media==
===Radio===
====AM====
*[[KADA (AM)|KADA]]/1230: rock “Pirate Radio” (simulcasts on FM translator K272FW).

====FM====
*[[KAJT]]/88.7: religion “Son Life Radio”.
*[[American Family Radio|KAKO]]/91.3: religion (American Family Radio).
*[[KGOU|KOUA]]/91.9: public radio ([[NPR]] affiliate).
*[[KADA-FM]]/99.3: oldies “Cool 99.3”.

=====FM translators=====
*<small>[[K-Love|K212FZ]]/90.3: religion “K-Love”</small>
*<small>K250AU/97.9: public radio (relays KOUA)</small>
*<small>K272FW/102.3: rock (relays KADA (AM)).</small>
*<small>[[KTGS|K286BB]]/105.1: religion “The Gospel Station”.</small>

==Notable people==
<!--consensus reached to standardize this heading per WP:WikiProject Cities/US Guideline -->
* [[Bill Anoatubby]] – Governor of the Chickasaw Nation since 1987<ref>[http://www.ok.gov/oiac/documents/2011.FINAL.WEB.pdf 2011 Oklahoma Indian Nations Pocket Pictorial Directory.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424052416/http://www.ok.gov/oiac/documents/2011.FINAL.WEB.pdf |date=2012-04-24 }} ''Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission.'' 2011: 8. (accessed July 26, 2013)</ref>
* [[Vaughn Ary]] – Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.hqmc.marines.mil/sja/Leaders/tabid/9643/Article/71108/mgen-vaughn-a-ary.aspx | title = Major General Vaughn A. Ary | publisher = Headquarters, United States Marine Corps | access-date = 14 Oct 2013 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130802055923/http://www.hqmc.marines.mil/sja/Leaders/tabid/9643/Article/71108/mgen-vaughn-a-ary.aspx | archive-date = 2013-08-02 }}</ref>
* [[Nick Blackburn]] – former [[Minnesota Twins]] [[starting pitcher]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=blackni01|title =   Nick Blackburn Stats| publisher= Baseball Almanac |access-date= December 10, 2012}}</ref>
* [[Harry Brecheen]] – former [[Major League Baseball]] [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All Star]] pitcher; graduated from Ada High School; buried at Ada's Rosedale Cemetery<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=brechha01| title =   Harry Brecheen Stats| publisher= Baseball Almanac |access-date= December 10, 2012}}</ref>
* [[Orel Busby]], attorney, lived in Ada from 1912 until appointed Associate Justice of Oklahoma Supreme Court; returned to Ada after retiring from the court in 1937<ref name="newspaperarchive.com">[https://newspaperarchive.com/miami-daily-news-record-aug-08-1937-p-1/ ''Miami Daily News''. August 8, 1937. Accessed September 9, 2019.]</ref>
* [[Jeff Carpenter]], musician and songwriter with the all Native American orchestral rock band Injunuity
* [[Dan Cody]] – [[Baltimore Ravens]] [[linebacker]]; born in Ada<ref>[https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7229 Dan Cody - Baltimore Ravens], [https://sports.yahoo.com/ Yahoo! Sports] (accessed May 21, 2007).</ref>
* [[Johnson T. Crawford]] – [[Nuremberg trials|Nuremberg trial]] judge
* [[John Daversa]] – [[Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]]-winning jazz trumpeter, composer/arranger, bandleader, and educator<ref>{{Cite web |last=University |first=East Central |title=Former Adan John Daversa to take stage at ECU |url=https://www.theadanews.com/news/local_news/former-adan-john-daversa-to-take-stage-at-ecu/article_90d09df5-84b7-5e39-9ec3-8ac0d32f749f.html |access-date=2022-03-11 |website=The Ada News |date=March 9, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Denver Davison]] – attorney, lived in Ada from 1927 until appointed Associate Justice of Oklahoma Supreme Court in 1937; returned to Ada after retiring from the court in 1958<ref name="newspaperarchive.com" />
* [[Douglas Edwards]] – first television network anchor<ref>[http://web.sbu.edu/friedsam/archives/edwards/chronology.htm Douglas Edwards Chronology]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927224551/http://web.sbu.edu/friedsam/archives/Edwards/chronology.htm |date=2007-09-27 }}, [http://web.sbu.edu/friedsam/archives/edwards The Douglas Edwards Archives at St. Bonaventure University]{{dead link|date=September 2018|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} (accessed July 26, 2013)</ref>
* [[Lee Erwin (writer)|Lee Erwin]] – television writer
* [[Josh Fields (infielder)|Josh Fields]] – former [[Major League Baseball]] infielder; born in Ada<ref>[http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=fieldjo02 Josh Fields Stats], Baseball Almanac (accessed July 26, 2013)</ref>
* [[Mark Gastineau]] – [[National Football League]] star, ECU graduate<ref>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GastMa00.htm Mark Gastineau], Pro Football Reference. (accessed July 26, 2013)</ref>
* [[Monte Hale]] – Western-genre film star; born in Ada
* [[Johny Hendricks]] – [[UFC Welterweight Championship|UFC Welterweight Champion]]<ref>[http://www.ufc.com/fighter/Johny-Hendricks Johny Hendrick], Ufc.com. (accessed July 26, 2013)</ref>
* [[Anthony Armstrong Jones]] – country music singer<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chartrecords.net/a_a_jones_main.htm|title=Anthony Armstrong Jones was born|website=www.chartrecords.net|access-date=19 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021190250/http://www.chartrecords.net/a_a_jones_main.htm|archive-date=21 October 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[David Keirsey|David West Keirsey]] (1921–2013) – psychologist, developed the [[Keirsey Temperament Sorter]]; born in Ada<ref>[[David Keirsey]]</ref>
* [[Robert S. Kerr]] – former Oklahoma Governor and long-time U.S. Senator; born in Ada<ref>[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=K000144 Congressional biography of Robert S. Kerr] (accessed July 26, 2013)</ref>
* [[Louise S. Robbins]] – Wisconsin Librarian of the Year (2001); named one of Oklahoma's 100 Library Legends; director of the School of Library and Information Studies at University of Wisconsin–Madison; author of two award-winning books; longtime resident of Ada and first woman city council member and mayor<ref>[http://www.library.okstate.edu/dean/jpaust/legends/people/robbins.htm Louise S. Robbins - Oklahoma Library Legends] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707043557/http://www.library.okstate.edu/dean/jpaust/legends/people/robbins.htm |date=2013-07-07 }}, Oklahoma State University. (accessed July 26, 2013)</ref>
* [[Oral Roberts]] – [[Evangelism|evangelist]], founder of [[Oral Roberts University]]; born near Ada.<ref>[http://www.tulsaworld.com/specialprojects/oralroberts/timeline/index.html Oral Roberts], ''Tulsa World'' Special Projects Page (accessed July 26, 2013)</ref>
* [[Blaine Saunders]] – actress, ''[[The Middle (TV series)|The Middle]]''
* [[Blake Shelton]] – country music singer with multiple No. 1 hit songs, coach on ''[[The Voice (American TV series)|The Voice]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theadanews.com/news/local_news/ole-red-blake-shelton-launches-new-bar-restaurant-in-downtown/article_54252b8a-e9c0-58e8-86e2-581e56c6423e.html|title=Ole Red Blake Shelton launches new bar/restaurant in downtown Tishomingo|first=Glenn|last=Puit|website=theadanews.com|date=April 4, 2017 |access-date=19 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wkbw.com/news/national/this-okla-student-is-excited-shes-reading-a-textbook-used-by-blake-shelton-her-mother-is-not|title=This Oklahoma student is excited she's reading a textbook used by Blake Shelton. Her mother is not|agency=CNN|date=6 April 2018|website=wkbw.com|access-date=19 October 2018}}</ref><!-- <ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/blake-shelton-mn0000046814 Blake Shelton], Allmusic.com. (accessed July 26, 2013)</ref> -->
* [[Jeremy Shockey]] – former NFL tight end; born and grew up in Ada
* [[Leon Polk Smith]] – abstract artist known for his work with geometric painting; graduate of East Central University<ref>Leon Polk Smith Scholarship, [https://www.ecok.edu/administration/academic-affairs/academic-affairs-programs/academics/colleges-schools/college-liberal-arts-and-social-sciences/school-fine-arts/department-of-art/scholarships Art Department Scholarships] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812155027/https://www.ecok.edu/administration/academic-affairs/academic-affairs-programs/academics/colleges-schools/college-liberal-arts-and-social-sciences/school-fine-arts/department-of-art/scholarships |date=2014-08-12 }}, East Central University. (accessed July 26, 2013)</ref>
*[[Jerry Walker]] – [[Major League Baseball|major league]] pitcher and front office executive
* [[Ron Williamson]] – minor league baseball player wrongly convicted and sentenced to death in 1988 in Ada for rape and murder but eventually exonerated. Subject of ''[[The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town|The Innocent Man]]'' by [[John Grisham]].<ref>Dwyer, Jim. "[https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/09/national/09williamson.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=williamson,%20ron&st=cse& Ronald Williamson, Freed From Death Row, Dies at 51]," ''New York Times'', December 9, 2004. (accessed July 26, 2013)</ref>

==In popular culture==
Because of its short, palindromic spelling with frequently used letters, Ada is a very common crossword puzzle answer. Associated clues often include "Oklahoma city", "Oklahoma palindrome", and "Sooner State city."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://crosswordtracker.com/answer/ada/|title=ADA|website=Crossword Tracker|access-date=19 October 2018}}</ref>

==Controversies==
In 1987, journalist Robert Mayer published ''[[The Dreams of Ada]]'' exploring major flaws, irregularities, forced confessions, and possible miscarriages of justice in Ada in the convictions of Tommy Ward and Karl Fontenot for the rape and murder of Denice Haraway, who died in 1984.

In 2006, [[John Grisham]] brought Ada into the national spotlight in his nonfiction work ''[[The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town|The Innocent Man]]'', relating a similar story in the convictions of [[Ron Williamson]] and Dennis Fritz for the murder of Debra Sue Carter. After 12 years on death row, DNA evidence proved the men's innocence and established the guilt of the prosecution's main witness. Similar problems surrounded the trials of the two men convicted for the murder of Denice Haraway. Prosecutor Bill Peterson has self-published his disagreements with Grisham's version of events.<ref>[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/burden/profiles/williamson.html Frontline: burden of innocence] (accessed November 13, 2008)</ref><ref>[http://www.innocenceproject.org/Content/295.php The Innocence Project] {{webarchive|url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20080919005615/http://www.innocenceproject.org/Content/295.php |date=2008-09-19 }} (accessed November 13, 2008).</ref><ref>[http://www.billpetersondistrictattorney.com/ Grisham's Folly] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081021084706/http://www.billpetersondistrictattorney.com/ |date=2008-10-21 }} (accessed November 13, 2008).</ref>

In 2018, Grisham's book was adapted into a Netflix series, also titled ''[[The Innocent Man (2018 TV series)|The Innocent Man]]'', combining and extending the cases outlined in his and Mayer's books.

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Ada (Oklahoma)}}
{{Commons category|Ada, Oklahoma}}
* [http://www.adaok.com City website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070405162732/http://www.adaworks.org/ Ada Jobs Foundation website]
* [http://www.adahub.com Community website]
* [https://www.flickr.com/photos/asherok/sets/72157606523702554/ Ada photos on Flickr (unofficial)]
* [http://www.okcommerce.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=4&id=99&Itemid=667 Oklahoma Main Street Community program]
*http://www.adachamber.com/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211015809/http://www.adachamber.com/ |date=2010-12-11 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100412071240/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/A/AD001.html Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture - Ada]

{{Pontotoc County, Oklahoma}}
{{Oklahoma county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Ada, Oklahoma| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Cities in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:County seats in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Micropolitan areas of Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Seats of government of American Indian reservations]]
[[Category:1891 establishments in Oklahoma Territory]]
[[Category:Sundown towns in Oklahoma]]