Picher, Oklahoma
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| Picher, Oklahoma | |
  Picher, Oklahoma
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Ottawa |
| Area | |
| - Total | 2.2 sq mi (5.8 km²) |
| - Land | 2.2 sq mi (5.8 km²) |
| - Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²) |
| Elevation | 820 ft (250 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 1,640 |
| - Density | 734.0/sq mi (283.4/km²) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| - Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 74360 |
| Area code(s) | 918 |
| FIPS code | 40-58550[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1096611[2] |
Picher is a city in Ottawa County, Oklahoma, United States. It was formerly a center of lead and zinc mining. The population was 1,640 at the 2000 census, it was estimated to be at 800 in May of 2008.[3]
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[edit] Geography
Picher is located at (36.982824, -94.832777)[4].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.2 square miles (5.8 km²), all of it land.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 1,640 people, 621 households, and 417 families residing in the city. The population density was 734.0 people per square mile (283.9/km²). There were 708 housing units at an average density of 316.9/sq mi (122.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 77.13% White, 13.78% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 0.06% from other races, and 8.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.40% of the population.
There were 621 households out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.20.
27.1% of residents were under the age of 18, 9.1% were 18 to 24, 24.0% were 25 to 44, 23.5% were 45 to 64, and 16.2% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $19,722, and the median income for a family was $25,950. Males had a median income of $22,321 versus $15,947 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,938. About 21.1% of families and 25.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.4% of those under age 18 and 30.9% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Tar Creek Superfund site
Picher has become notable for its location near the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Tar Creek Superfund site, which had a long history of underground lead and zinc mining until around 1970. Chat piles left behind by the mining companies contain lead dust that has blown around the town. Elevated lead levels in Picher children have led to learning disabilities and other problems. The lead and zinc have also seeped into groundwater, ponds, and lakes, many of which still are used by children for swimming. Since the children of Picher have been found to have elevated levels of lead in their bodies, the EPA has since declared Picher to be one of the most toxic areas in the United States.[3][5]
Currently the future of site is a controversial political issue. U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK), who formerly supported cleaning up the site with a $45 million cleanup plan, to be executed by the EPA, the Department of the Interior, and two of the responsible mining companies, now supports a buyout of the town.[6]
U.S. Representative Brad Carson (D-OK), supports buying out the families at the center of the site and moving them to a safer location. The Oklahoma Legislature has earmarked $3 million to move families that have children under 6 years of age.[citation needed]
Other areas affected by Tar Creek mining include Cardin, Miami, North Miami and Quapaw.[citation needed]
On April 24, 2006, Reuters reported that Picher had been scheduled to be closed and all residents removed. Due in large part to the removal of large amounts of subsurface material during mining operations, many of the town's structures have been deemed in imminent danger of caving in.[7]
The town pharmacist Gary Linderman was featured in the May 28, 2007, issue of People Magazine in the Heroes Among Us article "Prescription for Kindness". He vowed to stay as long as there was anyone left who needed him and to be the last one out of town.[8]
Picher was featured in the PBS Independent Lens film The Creek Runs Red discussing the connection of the people and their desire to leave or stay in town.[9]
[edit] Former mining companies
- Asarco, operated as Federal Mining and Smelting Company
- Eagle-Picher Mining & Smelting Company
[edit] May 2008 tornado
On May 10, 2008, Picher was struck by a tornado. As of May 11th there were six confirmed deaths, possibly including one child, and many other injuries.[10] The tornado first touched down near the Kansas-Oklahoma border in Oklahoma southwest of Chetopa, Kansas and tracked eastward. It then slammed into Picher with devastating results. 20 blocks of the town suffered extensive damage with houses and businesses destroyed or flattened. The damage in Picher was rated at EF4. At least 150 others were injured in Picher alone. The tornado continued eastward, passing just north of Quapaw and Peoria before crossing Interstate 44 into Missouri. This was the deadliest tornado in Oklahoma since the South Oklahoma City F5 tornado on May 3, 1999 which killed 36. The federal government also decided that there would be no aid given to rebuild homes, but the buyouts would continue as previously scheduled and people will be assisted in relocation.[11]
Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry sent National Guard Troops as well as emergency personnel to assist the hardest hit area in Picher where a 20-block area suffered major damage including several destroyed structures. Damage was reported in Peoria and Quapaw.[12]
[edit] Notable Residents
- Joe Don Rooney, country pop musician with the band Rascal Flatts.[13]
[edit] References
- ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b "Pollution busts Okla. mining town" - Associated Press - (c/o MSNBC) - May 10, 2008
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Juozapavicius, Justin. - "Oklahoma Town Is Toxic Waste Site" - Associated Press - (c/o San Francisco Chronicle-SFGate.com) - February 27, 2007
- ^ "A Tainted Mining Town Dies as Residents Are Paid to Leave". Washington Post. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
- ^ Gillam, Carey. - "FEATURE-Slow death consumes Oklahoma mining town" - Reuters - April 24, 2006
- ^ Heroes Among Us: "Prescription for Kindness" - People Magazine - May 28, 2007
- ^ "The Creek Runs Red" - Independent Lens - PBS
- ^ Six Dead, 150 Injured After Tornado Levels Town Of Picher. KTUL. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
- ^ Evans, Murry. - Weather: "Rebuilding unlikely in Okla. town". - Associated Press. - (c/o MSNBC.com) - May 13, 2008
- ^ "Tornado Death Toll Increases In Picher". - KOTV.com - May 12, 2008
- ^ Joe Don Rooney Biography. AOL. AOL Music. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
[edit] External links
- Picher, Oklahoma is at coordinates Coordinates:
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