Edmond, Oklahoma
City
Flag of Edmond, Oklahoma
Flag
Official seal of Edmond, Oklahoma
Seal
Official logo of Edmond, Oklahoma
Wordmark
Motto: 
"A Great Place To Grow"
Location in Oklahoma County and the state of Oklahoma.
Location in Oklahoma County and the state of Oklahoma.
Edmond, Oklahoma is located in the United States
Edmond, Oklahoma
Edmond, Oklahoma
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 35°39′N 97°28′W / 35.650°N 97.467°W / 35.650; -97.467
CountryUnited States
StateOklahoma
CountyOklahoma
FoundedApril 22, 1889[1]
Government
 • TypeCouncil – Manager
 • MayorDarrell Davis[2]
 • City managerScot Rigby[3]
Area
[4]
 • Total87.55 sq mi (226.75 km2)
 • Land84.44 sq mi (218.71 km2)
 • Water3.10 sq mi (8.04 km2)
Elevation
[5]
1,122 ft (342 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total94,428
 • Density1,118.23/sq mi (431.75/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
73003, 73012, 73013, 73025, 73034, 73083
Area code(s)405 and 572
FIPS code40-23200[6]
GNIS feature ID2410402[5]
WebsiteCity of Edmond

Edmond is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area in the central part of the state. The population was 94,428 according to the 2020 United States Census, a 16% increase from 2010.[7] making it the 5th most populous city in Oklahoma.

The city borders the northern boundary of Oklahoma City. Public transportation is provided by Citylink Edmond bus service.

History

Edmond, Oklahoma Territory, 1891

19th century

The Santa Fe rail line in Oklahoma Territory established a water and coaling station for steam engines at this location when the Santa Fe Railroad built into Indian Territory in 1887.[8] The site for the station was chosen because it was the highest point on the line in Oklahoma County; train could more easily accelerate going downhill while leaving the station in either direction. The railroad then named the station for Edmond Burdick, the Santa Fe's traveling freight agent.[9] When the town was formed after the Oklahoma Land Run of 1889, early settlers decided to adopt the name. Though most of the remnants of the old railroad infrastructure are gone, the Santa Fe, now BNSF, freight line still runs through the same course.[10]

The town of Edmond sprang up overnight during the great Oklahoma land run on April 22, 1889, when homesteads were staked around the Santa Fe station.[1] The original plat for Edmond was prepared by the Seminole Town and Development Company, a newly formed syndicate with ties to the railroad.[8] Many of the original streets were named for men associated with either the Santa Fe Railroad or the town syndicate. The first mayor and city officers were elected in May 1889, and Edmond's population was 294 in the 1890 census.

The first public schoolhouse in Oklahoma Territory, completed in August 1889, is in Edmond.[9] It still stands as a historic monument on 2nd Street between Boulevard and Broadway and is open to the public on the first two Saturdays of each month or by appointment.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, the first church opened after the land run,[9] was located on the southwest corner of East First and South Boulevard. The congregation still exists, although not in its original building or location.[11]

In December 1890, the territorial legislature established three universities: the state university in Norman, the agricultural and mechanical college in Stillwater, and a "normal" or teaching school in Edmond. The first classes for the Territorial Normal School (University of Central Oklahoma) were held November 9, 1891, in the Methodist Church on the southwest corner of North Broadway and West Hurd. Old North, the Territorial Normal School's iconic first building, was opened for classes on January 2, 1893, and ahead of Oklahoma State University's Central Hall or Oklahoma University's Science Hall.[12]

The Edmond Sun, established by Milton W. "Kicking Bird" Reynolds on July 18, 1889, was the state's oldest continuous newspaper dating from Oklahoma Territorial days.[9]

20th century

Old seal used from 1965 until 1996 with cross in right quadrant

In the early 20th century, Edmond was known as a sundown town. Racial covenants barred property sales to individuals of races other than white people or Native Americans in every neighborhood built between 1911 and 1949 except the Edmond Highway Addition in 1924. Racial housing covenants in the United States became unenforceable in 1948 after the Shelly v. Kraemer decision by the United States Supreme Court.[13]

Edmond was the site of a workplace shooting on August 20, 1986, in which 14 people were killed and six wounded by Patrick Sherrill, a postman who then committed suicide. This event was the deadliest killing in a string of U.S. postal employee murder–suicides which inspired the slang term "going postal".[14] A memorial to the victims of the attack stands outside the U.S. Post Office in downtown Edmond.[15]

The city was the subject of a Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals case challenging the depiction of a Christian cross on the city seal, raising issues concerning the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution. In May 1996, the Supreme Court let stand a Federal Appeals Court ruling ordering the city to remove the cross from the seal.[16] Rather than replace the cross, the city council voted to leave the spot blank so as to "remind people of what was there," as well as this being the least expensive way to comply.[17]

21st century

A memorial service for famed Oklahoman baseball player Bobby Murcer was held in Edmond on August 6, 2008, at the Memorial Road Church of Christ. Among the some 2,000 attending the memorial were Reggie Jackson, Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, and former Yankees manager Joe Girardi.[18]

Geography

Edmond is located just north of Oklahoma City in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 87.9 square miles (228 km2), of which 85.1 square miles (220 km2) is land and 2.8 square miles (7.3 km2) or 3.19% is water. Arcadia Lake on the east side of the city is a fishing spot for the Oklahoma City metropolitan area and contains bluegill, channel catfish, blue catfish, and largemouth bass.[19] Twin Bridges Lake is a second lake in the city.

Edmond lies in the Sandstone Hills region of Central Oklahoma, known for hills, blackjack oak, and post oak.[20] The city falls into an ecological region known as the Cross Timbers.[21]

Climate

Edmond has a humid subtropical climate with frequent variations in weather during part of the year and consistently hot summers. Prolonged and severe droughts often lead to wildfires and heavy rainfall often leads to flash flooding and flooding. Consistent winds, usually from the south or south-southeast during the summer, help temper the hotter weather. Consistent northerly winds during the winter can intensify cold periods. Severe ice storms and snowstorms happen sporadically during the winter.

The city is located in Tornado Alley and is subject to frequent and severe tornadoes and hailstorms. The Oklahoma City metropolitan area is one of the most tornado-prone major cities in the world.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1890294—
1900965228.2%
19102,090116.6%
19202,45217.3%
19303,57645.8%
19404,00211.9%
19506,08652.1%
19608,57740.9%
197016,63393.9%
198034,637108.2%
199052,31551.0%
200068,31530.6%
201081,40519.2%
202094,42816.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[22]
2018 Estimate[23]

According to estimates from ESRI: There are approximately 94,000 residents and approximately 37,000 housing units. Population estimates by race/ethnicity are 79.8% white, 5.8% black, 2.7% American Indian, 4.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.5% other race and 5% two or more races. 7.2% of the population is of Hispanic origin. The population is 51.5% female and 48.5% male. The median age of residents is 36.3 years, lower than the Oklahoma median age of 37.8. The average household income is $101,811.

Economy

The supermarket chain Crest Foods is based in Edmond. The University of Central Oklahoma is a major employer.[8] Some of Edmond's targeted industries include Wholesale Trade; Light Manufacturing; Information; and Professional, Scientific and Technical Services.

Top employers

According to the city's 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[24] the top employers in the city are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 Edmond Public Schools 2,975
2 University of Central Oklahoma 1,350
3 City of Edmond 764
4 INTEGRIS Health Edmond 550
5 Mercy Edmond I-35 507
6 OU Medical Center Edmond 500
7 Crest Foods 307
8 Petra Industries 238
9 Adfitech 247
10 Pelco Products 193

Arts and culture

The city of Edmond is making efforts to promote public art with murals, stained glass, and steel sculptures. On a portion of Main Street, statuary lines nearly every corner.[25] On July 4, 2007, the city inaugurated a bronze statue of Nannita R.H. Daisey, believed to be the first woman laying claim on Oklahoma land in the first (1889) land run.[26] In 2015 the Dave McGary sculpture of Chief Touch the Clouds was relocated to Edmond from Houston's Astrodome. The 18-foot-tall, 15-foot-wide sculpture is located on Second Street at the entrance of the University of Central Oklahoma.[27]

Edmond residents have access to 57 Protestant and three Catholic congregations, six Latter-day Saint congregations, one Unitarian Universalist church, one Islamic mosque, and one Haziratu'l-Quds for followers of the Baháʼí Faith.

A 163 foot tall cross sits at the Edmond Campus of Life.Church on the corner of Edmond Road and the I-35 Service Road. The church, known at the time as MetroChurch, fought the city of Edmond to erect the cross, which the planning commission didn't want to allow because they considered it a billboard.

The movies Rudderless (2014), American Underdog (2021), and Reagan (2023) were partially shot in Edmond.[28]

Sports

Rugby union is a developing sport in Edmond as well as in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Edmond boasts two rugby clubs: The Edmond Rugby Club (aka "The Storm")[29][30] and the University of Central Oklahoma Rugby Football Club.[31][32]

Golf is a popular sport in Edmond, boasting 7 golf courses, including the Oak Tree National.

Soccer is also a growing sport in Edmond, being home to the Edmond Soccer Club.

Education

Elementary schools

Source:[33]

  • Angie Debo Elementary School (outside of Edmond)
  • Centennial Elementary School
  • Charles Haskell Elementary School (outside of Edmond)
  • Chisholm Elementary School
  • Clegern Elementary School
  • Clyde Howell (This is the district's early-childhood education center)
  • Cross Timbers Elementary School
  • Frontier Elementary School
  • Heritage Elementary School
  • Ida Freeman Elementary School
  • John Ross Elementary School
  • Northern Hills Elementary School
  • Orvis Risner Elementary School
  • Russell Dougherty Elementary School
  • Sunset Elementary School
  • Washington Irving Elementary School
  • West Field Elementary School
  • Will Rogers Elementary School
  • Redbud Elementary
  • Scissortail Elementary (Outside of Edmond)

Middle schools

  • Central Middle School
  • Cheyenne Middle School
  • Cimarron Middle School
  • Heartland Middle School
  • Oakdale Middle School
  • Sequoyah Middle School
  • Summit Middle School (outside of Edmond)

High schools

Colleges and universities

Private schools

Notable people

References

  1. 1 2 Stan Hoig, "Land Run of 1889," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. Accessed November 7, 2018)
  2. ↑ "City Council | Edmond, OK - Official Website".
  3. ↑ "City Manager | Edmond, OK - Official Website".
  4. ↑ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  5. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Edmond, Oklahoma
  6. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  7. ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Edmond city, Oklahoma". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 Oklahoma Municipal Government, Oklahoma Almanac, 2005, p. 535. (accessed October 1, 2013)
  9. 1 2 3 4 Brenda Granger, "Edmond," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. Accessed October 1, 2013
  10. ↑ "Land Run of 1889 | The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture". www.okhistory.org. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Parish History - An Overview Archived November 20, 2009, at the Wayback Machine," Official St. John the Baptist Website. (accessed October 1, 2013)
  12. ↑ Sooner Magazine, September 1965 (Volume 38, Issue 1), http://digital.libraries.ou.edu/sooner/issue_info.asp?issueID=478
  13. ↑ Tomlinson, Joe (July 8, 2022). "Edmond man finds racially restrictive covenant language amid neighborhood dispute". NonDoc. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  14. ↑ Staff (September 4, 1994). "Shootings Seal Post Office Rep". Chicago Sun Times. Archived from the original on June 29, 2014. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Edmond Post Office Memorial Fountain - Edmond, Oklahoma - Fountains on Waymarking.com". www.waymarking.com.
  16. ↑ "FindLaw's United States Tenth Circuit case and opinions". Findlaw.
  17. ↑ "Edmond to Leave Blank Cross's Space on Seal". Oklahoman.com. May 29, 1996. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  18. ↑ Bob Hersom (August 6, 2008). "Late Yankee slugger Bobby Murcer's life celebrated in Edmond". NewsOK.com.
  19. ↑ Arcadia Lake, City of Edmond. (accessed October 1, 2013)
  20. ↑ Oklahoma Geography, NetState.com. (accessed October 1, 2013)
  21. ↑ "Ecoregions of Oklahoma" (PDF). Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  22. ↑ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  24. ↑ City of Edmond CAFR(accessed May 10, 2023)
  25. ↑ Edmond Convention and Visitors Bureau (2007). "Oklahoma history cast in bronze". Retrieved October 18, 2007.
  26. ↑ Houghton, Jaclyn (March 13, 2007). "Oklahoma history cast in bronze". Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved October 18, 2007.
  27. ↑ "Touch the Clouds statue installation scheduled for Sunday". May 21, 2015. Archived from the original on June 28, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  28. ↑ "Before 'Killers of the Flower Moon' premiere, here are 55 other shot-in-Oklahoma films". Jimmie Tramel, Tulsa World, May 13, 2023. May 13, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  29. ↑ Moriak, Meredith. News OK. Rugby gives Edmond athlete healthier goals.
  30. ↑ www.edmondrugbyclub.com Official Website of the Edmond Rugby Club
  31. ↑ Wescot, Chris. The Vista. ( http://www.thevistaonline.com/mobile/blog-1.107/insidethelines?article155=19.688326&page155=BlogPosting. Retrieved July 23, 2010. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help))
  32. ↑ ucowellnesscenter.com UCO Sports Clubs Archived June 17, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  33. ↑ "Edmond Elementary Schools". Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  34. ↑ "The Oklahoman's All-State Team". newsok.com. May 26, 1991.
  35. ↑ "Miss Teen USA 1986 - Allison Brown". Archived from the original on July 4, 2015. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  36. ↑ Williams, John A. "Ruling the 'dot-comm'". edmondsun.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  37. ↑ Larry O'Dell, "Galbreath Robert" (1863 - 1953)." Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  38. ↑ Klingaman, Mike (June 29, 2021). "Almost 7 million-to-1 odds? Former Orioles slugger Jim Gentile hit back-to-back grand slams in a game in 1961". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  39. ↑ Murdock Nichols, Maggie (July 18, 2023). "Everything Sad is Untrue: Growing up as an Iranian refugee in Edmond". Nondoc.
  40. ↑ "Garrett Richards - The Baseball Cube". www.thebaseballcube.com.
  41. ↑ "Edmond Police Chief Bob Ricks' career spans the world". newsok.com. May 23, 2010.
  42. ↑ "Bill Self coach profile". KUAthletics.com. Archived from the original on February 20, 2017. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
  43. ↑ "Laura Spencer Tweet". Twitter. June 7, 2017. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  44. ↑ "Russell Westbrook's House in Edmond, OK (Google Maps) (#2)". virtualglobetrotting.com. January 5, 2013.
  45. ↑ "Russell Westbrook's House in Edmond, OK (Google Maps)". virtualglobetrotting.com. November 5, 2012.
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