Bristow, Oklahoma

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Bristow, Oklahoma
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = Woodland Queen of the Creek Nation.<ref name=AboutUs/>
|motto                    = 
|image_skyline            = Bristow street scene.jpg
|image_caption            = Main Street in Bristow
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = 
|image_map                = Creek County Oklahoma incorporated and unincorporated areas Bristow highlighted.svg
|map_caption              = Location within [[Creek County, OK|Creek County]], and the state of [[Oklahoma]]
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Oklahoma]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Oklahoma|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Creek County, Oklahoma|Creek]]
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         = 
|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>
|area_total_km2           = 9.15
|area_land_km2            = 8.96
|area_water_km2           = 0.20
|area_total_sq_mi         = 3.53
|area_land_sq_mi          = 3.46
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.08
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 4248
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
|population_density_km2   = 474.34
|population_density_sq_mi = 1228.46
|population_demonym       = Bristonian
|timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 820
|coordinates              = {{coord|35|50|01|N|96|23|39|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 74010
|area_code                = [[area codes 539 and 918|539/918]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 40-08900<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              = 2409913<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2409913}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|www.cityofbristowok.org}}
}}

'''Bristow''' is a city in [[Creek County, Oklahoma|Creek County]], [[Oklahoma]], United States. The population was 4,222 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]],<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US4008900| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Bristow city, Oklahoma| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=March 5, 2015| archive-url=https://archive.today/20150309100138/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US4008900| archive-date=March 9, 2015| url-status=dead}}</ref> down 2.4 percent from the figure of 4,325 recorded in [[2000 United States Census|2000]].

==History==
Bristow began in 1898, when the [[St. Louis–San Francisco Railway]] ("SL&SF") built a track between [[Sapulpa, Oklahoma|Sapulpa]] and [[Oklahoma City]]. The town was named for [[Joseph L. Bristow]], an Assistant U.S. Postmaster General who later served as a U.S. senator from [[Kansas]]. A post office was established April 25, 1898. By the 1900 census, the population was 626.<ref name="EOHC-Bristow">{{cite web|url= https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=BR017 |title=Bristow|publisher=Linda D. Wilson, Oklahoma Historical Society|access-date=July 23, 2020}}</ref>

Bristow was designated as the [[county seat]] for Creek County at statehood when its population was 1,134. However, the county held a special election on August 20, 1908, to decide whether the seat would remain in Bristow or move to Sapulpa, which claimed to be more centrally located. Bristow had a larger population and claimed to have better railroad connections. Sapulpa won the election, but Bristow claimed voting irregularities. The election was voided and a new vote was held November 20, 1912. Again, Sapulpa won the election and the title of county seat. World Famous{{Says whom?|date=October 2023}} Cat "Bouda Cat" was born in Bristow around sometime in 1996.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}<ref name ="EOHC-Bristow"/>

The local economy depended heavily on [[cotton]]. Bristow had seven [[cotton gin]]s and two [[cottonseed oil]] mills in the early 20th century. Other farms in the surrounding area produced corn, peanuts, potatoes and fruit. Oil and gas were discovered in the area around 1915. The discovery led to the construction of three [[oil refinery|refineries]] and four pipeline companies by 1930. The [[Oklahoma-Southwestern Railway]] built a short line from a connection with the SL&SF at Bristow through the oilfields to [[Slick, Oklahoma|Slick]] in 1920, but declining oilfield production and other factors lead to abandonment of that trackage in 1930.<ref name=ICC>{{cite web|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=QhRTONCzvvwC&dq=%22Oklahoma-Southwestern+Railway%22&pg=PA512-IA8 |title=Abandonment of Line by Oklahoma-Southwestern Railway Company, decided December 21, 1929|year=1930 |accessdate=October 21, 2022}}</ref><ref name=Railroads>{{cite web|url= https://digitalprairie.ok.gov/digital/collection/okresources/id/70309/ |title= Oklahoma-Southwestern Railway Company (Abandoned)|publisher= Railroads of Oklahoma, June 6, 1870-April 1, 1978, pp. 13, 27 & 60|accessdate=October 21, 2022}}</ref>  The peak census population was 6,619 in 1930.<ref name ="EOHC-Bristow"/>

==Geography==
Bristow is located in northern [[Oklahoma]], just south of the geographic center of Creek County. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|9.3|km2|disp=flip}}, of which {{convert|9.2|km2|disp=flip}} is land and {{convert|0.2|km2|disp=flip|2}}, or 1.66%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010"/>

[[Interstate 44 in Oklahoma|Interstate 44]], the [[Turner Turnpike]], passes through the northern part of the city, with access from Exit 196. I-44 leads northeast {{convert|20|mi}} to [[Sapulpa, Oklahoma|Sapulpa]] and {{convert|33|mi}} to downtown [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]], and southwest {{convert|76|mi}} to [[Oklahoma City]]. [[Oklahoma State Highway 66]], formerly [[U.S. Route 66]], passes through the center of Bristow and generally parallels I-44.

===Climate===

{{Weather box 
|location = Bristow, Oklahoma
|single line = Y
|Jan high F = 49.5
|Feb high F = 55.3
|Mar high F = 65.3
|Apr high F = 75.4
|May high F = 81.3
|Jun high F = 88.5
|Jul high F = 94.9
|Aug high F = 94.2
|Sep high F = 86.0
|Oct high F = 76.8
|Nov high F = 63.0
|Dec high F = 52.3
|year high F= 73.5
|Jan low F = 23.9
|Feb low F = 28.6
|Mar low F = 38.0
|Apr low F = 49.1
|May low F = 57.0
|Jun low F = 65.2
|Jul low F = 69.2
|Aug low F = 67.5
|Sep low F = 60.0
|Oct low F = 49.2
|Nov low F = 38.0
|Dec low F = 27.8
|year low F= 47.8
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.4
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.9
|Mar precipitation inch = 3.0
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.3
|May precipitation inch = 5.5
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.9
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.7
|Aug precipitation inch = 2.7
|Sep precipitation inch = 4.6
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.2
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.9
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.1
|year precipitation inch=37.2
|source 1 = Weatherbase.com <ref>{{cite web
| url =http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=441143&refer=
| title = Historical Weather for Bristow, Oklahoma, United States}}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1900= 626
|1910= 1667
|1920= 3460
|1930= 6630
|1940= 6050
|1950= 5400
|1960= 4795
|1970= 4653
|1980= 4702
|1990= 4062
|2000= 4325
|2010= 4222
|2020= 4248
|footnote=[https://www.census.gov/prod/abs/www/decennial/ U.S. Decennial Census]
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 4,325 people, 1,793 households, and 1,161 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,299.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,019 housing units at an average density of {{convert|606.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 75.42% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 8.51% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 10.64% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.16% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.44% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 4.83% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.01% of the population.

There were 1,793 households, out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 17.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.9% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,351, and the median income for a family was $31,618. Males had a median income of $28,475 versus $21,711 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $13,819. About 15.8% of families and 20.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 34.5% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
From its inception, Bristow's economy centered on agriculture, and specifically on growing and processing cotton. By the early 1900s, Bristow had seven cotton gins and two cotton-seed oil mills. Additionally, other farmers in the area produced corn, peanuts, Irish potatoes, and fruits.<ref name ="EOHC-Bristow"/>

Oil and natural gas were discovered nearby in 1914 - 1915, producing an economic boom lasting until 1923. The boom also caused a population spike. According to the ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture'', nearly 31,000 people lived within a few miles radius of Bristow in 1920.<ref name ="EOHC-Bristow"/>

Although the boom cooled by 1925, by 1930 the city was the site of three oil refineries, four pipeline facilities and offices for several petroleum-related companies.  KFRU, one of Oklahoma's first radio stations, started broadcasting from Bristow in January 1925.<ref name ="EOHC-Bristow"/>

Some manufacturing facilities were added during the 1960s, including Bristow Mattress Factory, the Glassmarc Corporation (manufacturer of fiberglass boats and other items), Artemis Incorporated (manufacturer of women's garments), and the U.S. Carpet Company.<ref name ="EOHC-Bristow"/>

==Government==
Bristow has a [[home rule]] form of government.<ref name ="EOHC-Bristow"/>

==Transportation==
Bristow is on [[Interstate 44 in Oklahoma|Interstate 44]], [[Oklahoma State Highway 66]] (the old [[U.S. Route 66|Route 66]]), [[Oklahoma State Highway 48]], and [[Oklahoma State Highway 16]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bristow,+OK+74010/@35.8354688,-96.4268693,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87b6aca43b309e11:0xfc2c671d52bff632!8m2!3d35.8306334!4d-96.391118 |title=Bristow, Oklahoma|publisher=Google Maps|access-date=June 27, 2020}}</ref>

Jones Memorial Airport (FAA ID: 3F7), about 3 miles to the southwest, contains a 4001’x75’ asphalt runway completed in June 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.airnav.com/airport/3f7 |title= Jones Memorial Airport|publisher=AirNav.com|access-date=December 27, 2020}}</ref><ref name=Runway>{{cite web|url= https://www.tulsaworld.com/news/state-and-regional/inhofe-first-to-land-plane-on-new-3-9-million-bristow-airport-runway/article_96c29246-662a-50e5-9b04-2284f970fcf0.html |title=Inhofe first to land plane on new $3.9 million Bristow airport runway|date=June 26, 2020 |publisher=Tulsa World, June 27, 2020|access-date=June 27, 2020}}</ref>  The airport has an annual economic impact of $7.2 million.<ref name=Runway />  Commercial flights go in and out of [[Tulsa International Airport]], about 40 minutes away.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Bristow,+OK/Tulsa+International+Airport+(TUL),+Airport+Drive,+Tulsa,+OK/@36.0143781,-96.4246091,10z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x87b6aca43b309e11:0xfc2c671d52bff632!2m2!1d-96.391118!2d35.8306334!1m5!1m1!1s0x87b6f21cebabb641:0xa1434530be276422!2m2!1d-95.8838659!2d36.198778 |title=Bristow to Tulsa International Airport|publisher=Google Maps|access-date=July 21, 2020}}</ref>

Rail freight service is provided by the [[Stillwater Central Railroad]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.odot.org/maps/railroad/2016-2017/RRmap1_2016-17_web.pdf |title=Oklahoma 2018-2020 State Railroad Map|publisher=Oklahoma Department of Transportation|accessdate=October 21, 2021}}</ref>  Passenger trains no longer stop in Bristow, but the Bristow Historical Train Depot & Museum is open for visitation, complete with the original wood floors from 1923.<ref name=TravelOK>{{cite web|url=https://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.840 |title= Bristow Historical Train Depot & Museum|publisher=TravelOK.com|access-date=June 27, 2020}}</ref>

==Arts and entertainment==
The Freeland Center for the Performing Arts opened in 2009.<ref name=Freeland>{{cite web|url=https://www.freelandcenter.org/about-us |title=About Us|publisher= Freeland Center for the Performing Arts|access-date=July 22, 2020}}</ref>  The 795-seat theater cost $6.1 million, paid for by a combination of public and private funding.<ref name=Freeland />  The Center opened with a concert,<ref name=Freeland />  but is dedicated to diverse experiences which promote a spirit of cultural enjoyment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.freelandcenter.org/ |title=Home Page|publisher= Freeland Center for the Performing Arts|access-date=July 22, 2020}}</ref>

The Bristow News, previously the Bristow News and Record Citizen,<ref name="EOHC-Bristow"/> has been reporting events in Bristow and surrounding areas since 1899.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bristownews.com/ |title=Home Page|publisher=The Bristow News|access-date=July 23, 2020}}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
Klingensmith Park is a 320-acre facility featuring Lake Mesina,<ref name=AboutUs>{{cite web|url= http://bristowchamber.com/about-us/ |title=About Us|publisher=Bristow Area Chamber of Commerce|access-date= July 21, 2020}}</ref> as well as the NRHP-listed Klingensmith Park Amphitheater, which was a [[Works Progress Administration|WPA]] project from 1936 dedicated by [[Eleanor Roosevelt]] in 1937, and still in use.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.facebook.com/pg/klingensmithparkamphitheater/about/?ref=page_internal |title=About|publisher= The Klingensmith Park Amphitheater (on Facebook)|access-date=July 21, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/Nr/feature/places/16000619.htm | title=Klingensmith Park Amphitheater|publisher=National Park Service| access-date =July 21, 2020}}</ref>

The Town Square opens onto Historic Route 66/Main Street.  It is complete with a small amphitheater and is the site of many community activities.<ref name=AboutUs/>

Lincoln Park features a picnic table and playground equipment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wagwalking.com/dog-walking/ok-bristow |title= Dog Walking in Bristow|publisher=WagWalking.com| access-date =July 21, 2020}}</ref>

The Leon Pinson Sports Complex, previously the Bristow Sports Complex,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://archives.etypeservices.com/Bristow1/Magazine168350/Publication/Magazine168350.pdf |title=Pinson Sports complex dedication Sunday|publisher=Shirley Todd, Bristow News, May 17, 2017|access-date=July 23, 2020}}</ref> has two softball fields and two baseball fields,<ref>{{cite web|url=  https://clubs.bluesombrero.com/Default.aspx?tabid=376515&mid=434650&templateid=0&ctl=viewallfieldstatus |title=Home of the Bristow Girls Softball Association|publisher=Bristow Sports Complex| access-date =July 21, 2020}}</ref> as well as the Bristow Rodeo Grounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.13877/26830 |title=Western Heritage Days Rodeo|publisher=TravelOK.com|access-date=July 23, 2020}}</ref>

The VFW Post 3656 Wake Island Memorial, complete with a display of artillery and military equipment, commemorates the [[Battle of Wake Island]] during [[World War II]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.27320 |title= VFW Post 3656 Wake Island Memorial|publisher=TravelOK.com| access-date =July 21, 2020}}</ref>

Bristow Golf & Country Club has a public 9-hole regulation-length course.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.golflink.com/golf-courses/ok/bristow/bristow-community-golf-country-club|title=Bristow Golf Club|publisher=GolfLink| access-date =July 21, 2020}}</ref>

[[Heyburn Lake]] is about 13 miles to the northeast.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Bristow,+OK/Heyburn+Lake,+Oklahoma/@35.8954656,-96.4171074,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x87b6aca43b309e11:0xfc2c671d52bff632!2m2!1d-96.391118!2d35.8306334!1m5!1m1!1s0x87b6b190bd27d9e7:0x4c0607457c4c2dc0!2m2!1d-96.302672!2d35.9526291 |title=Bristow to Heyburn Lake|publisher=Google Maps|access-date =July 21, 2020}}</ref>  RV and tent camping is available, and the lake features picnic areas, a playground, a boat launch, swimming and fishing.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.3453 |title=Heyburn Lake|publisher=TravelOK.com| access-date =July 21, 2020}}</ref>

==NRHP Sites==
{{Main|National Register of Historic Places listings in Creek County, Oklahoma}}
[[File: Bristow_Chrysler_Plymouth_10-2022.jpg |thumb|upright|The Bristow Chrysler Plymouth sign]]
Besides the Klingensmith Park Amphitheater, NRHP sites in Bristow include:

The old Beard Motor Company, a/k/a Bristow Chrysler Plymouth, at 210 E. 9th, being two blocks off Main near its intersection with the old Route 66.  Built in 1947, the facility is notable not only for its [[Art Moderne]] style, but also for its 75-foot tall Chrysler Plymouth sign out front, intended to be visible to Route 66 traffic.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/cb3bd9e8-a271-4a12-9479-54ff63aba746 |title= National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, Beard Motor Company|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=July 22, 2020}}</ref>  This is not to be confused with the Bristow Motor Company Building at 500 N. Main, which is also NRHP-listed.

The [[Art Deco]] style [[Bristow Firestone Service Station]] at 321 N. Main, the [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic Revival]] style [[Bristow Presbyterian Church]] at 6th and Elm, and the Creek Masonic Lodge No. 226 at 417 N. Main, are all substantial buildings that are NRHP-listed.

Highway-associated sites include the [[Texaco Service Station (Bristow, Oklahoma)|Texaco Service Station]] at 201 W. 4th Ave., the Bristow Tire Shop at 115 W. Fourth St., the Tank Farm Loop Route 66 Roadbed at the junction of SH-66 and Old Highway 66 0.6 miles west of the I-44 overpass, and the Little Deep Fork Creek Bridge east of the junction of E0830 Rd. and N3700 Rd.<ref>{{cite web | title = OKLAHOMA - Creek County | publisher = National Register of Historic Places.com | url = http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/ok/Creek/state.html | access-date = 7 May 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160911123959/http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/ok/Creek/state.html | archive-date = 11 September 2016 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Brent Ashabranner]], Peace Corps administrator and author, lived in Bristow during his teen years in the 1930s
* [[Gene Autry]], actor, rodeo performer, and singer known as The Singing Cowboy, was a telegrapher in Bristow's Frisco Train Depot, now known as the Bristow Historical Train Depot & Museum.<ref name=TravelOK />
* [[Charles Crawford (American football)|Charles Crawford]], football running back, [[Philadelphia Eagles]] (1986–1987)
* [[Josiah Henson (wrestler)|Josiah Henson]], bronze medalist at the [[1952 Summer Olympics]]<ref>{{cite web | title = Josiah "Joe" Henson | publisher = Sports Reference | url = https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/he/joe-henson-1.html | access-date = 8 May 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161203075128/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/he/joe-henson-1.html | archive-date = 3 December 2016 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
* [[Robert Hughes (basketball)|Robert Hughes]], Winningest boys high school basketball coach in the United States with 1,333 wins
* [[Clovis Maksoud]], diplomat, writer, and journalist
* [[Tom Paxton]], folk singer, moved to Bristow with his parents in 1948
* [[Albert A. Rollestone]], philanthropist and oil pioneer, lived in Bristow 1915–1924
* [[Norma Smallwood]], Miss America 1926, first Native American Miss America, married [[Thomas Gilcrease]] 1928
* [[Robert Symonds]], actor
* [[Joe Lee Wilson]], jazz singer

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.cityofbristowok.org/ City of Bristow official website]
*[https://www.bristownews.com/ The Bristow News]
*[https://www.bristowhistory.org/ Bristow Historical Society and Museum]

{{Tulsa metro}}
{{Creek County, Oklahoma}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Creek County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Cities in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Tulsa metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Muscogee (Creek) Nation]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1898]]