Bryan County, Oklahoma

County in Oklahoma, United States

U.S. county in Oklahoma

Bryan County

U.S. county

Bryan County Courthouse

Bryan County Courthouse

Location within the U.S. state of Oklahoma

Location within the U.S. state of Oklahoma

Oklahoma's location within the U.S.

Oklahoma's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State| File:Flag of Oklahoma.svg Oklahoma
Founded| 1907
Seat| Durant
Largest city| Durant
Area

• Total| 944 sq mi (2,440 km2)
• Land| 904 sq mi (2,340 km2)
• Water| 39 sq mi (100 km2)  4.2%%
Population

(2010)

• Total| 42,416
• Estimate

(2019)

| 47,995
• Density| 49.7/sq mi (19.2/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 2nd

Bryan County is a county in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2010 census, the population was 42,416.[1] Its county seat is Durant.[2] It is the only county in the United States named for Democratic politician William Jennings Bryan.

Bryan County comprises the Durant, OK Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth and the Texoma region, TX-OK Combined Statistical Area. The city of Durant has the headquarters of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

Bryan County consists of 10 Townships: Albany, Bennington, Bokchito, Brown, Caddo, Calera, Colbert, Kemp, Matoy, and Speairs.[3]

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Geography
* 2.1 Major highways
* 2.2 Adjacent counties
* 3 Demographics
* 4 Politics
* 5 Economy
* 6 Communities
* 6.1 City
* 6.2 Towns
* 6.3 Census-designated places
* 6.4 Other unincorporated communities
* 7 NRHP sites
* 8 References
* 9 Further reading
* 10 External links

## History[edit | edit source]

File:BryanCounty1909.jpg

Map of Bryan County, 1909

The area now known as Bryan County was occupied by the Choctaw tribe in 1831–2. After the tribe reestablished its government in the Indian Territory, it included much of the area within Blue County, a part of the Pushmataha District of the Choctaw Nation.[4]

In 1845, the tribe opened Armstrong Academy for boys near the community of Bokchito. The academy served as Chahta Tamaha, the Choctaw capital, during the Civil War.

Bloomfield Academy, a school for Chickasaw girls, was opened in 1852, just south of the present town of Achille.[5]

Prior to the Chickasaw removal to Indian Territory, the Chickasaw tribe bought part of the Choctaw allocation. The western quarter of today's Bryan County was made part of the Chickasaw District in 1837. When the two tribes formally separated into two distinct nations in 1855, the Chickasaw District became the Chickasaw Nation.[5]

During the late 1850s, the Butterfield Overland Mail and Stage route followed the older Texas Road across the present county. General Albert Pike established Fort McCulloch for the Confederate Army near the present town of Kenefic on the Blue River. Although no Civil War battles occurred in the vicinity, the fort was garrisoned by more than a thousand Indian troops whose leaders were allied with the Confederates.[5]

After the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway (Katy) built a north–south line through this area in 1872, several new towns were created. One such town was Colbert, which became the seat of Blue County and the largest town in the Choctaw Nation. The St. Louis, San Francisco and New Orleans Railroad, later bought by the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway (Frisco), built an east–west line in 1903.[5]

Just prior to statehood, when all tribal governments were dissolved, Blue County was extinguished. Bryan County was officially established on November 16, 1907, and Durant was designated as the county seat.[5]

The Bridge War, also called the Red River Bridge War or the Toll Bridge War, was a 1931 bloodless boundary conflict between the U.S. states of Oklahoma and Texas over an existing toll bridge and a new free bridge crossing the Red River between Grayson County, Texas and Bryan County, Oklahoma.

## Geography[edit | edit source]

File:State Highway 78 Bridge at the Red River.jpg

Aerial view of the State Highway No. 78 Bridge at the Red River

Bryan County is in southeastern Oklahoma, in a 10-county area designated as Choctaw Country for tourism purposes by the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation.[6] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 944 square miles (2,440 km2), of which 904 square miles (2,340 km2) is land and 39 square miles (100 km2) (4.2%) is water.[7]

The county is in the Coastal Plains physiographic region, and is drained mostly by the Blue River. The Washita River originally drained much of the western part of the county, but now empties into Lake Texoma, which forms much of the southern boundary of the county.[5] The county is a major part of the Texoma region.

### Major highways[edit | edit source]

* File:US 69.svg US-69
* File:US 70.svg US-70
* File:US 75.svg US-75
* File:Oklahoma State Highway 91.svg SH-91
* File:Oklahoma State Highway 70E.svg SH-70E
* File:Oklahoma State Highway 48.svg SH-48
* File:Oklahoma State Highway 199.svg SH-199
* File:Oklahoma State Highway 78.svg SH-78

### Adjacent counties[edit | edit source]

* Atoka County (north)
* Choctaw County (east)
* Lamar County, Texas (southeast)
* Fannin County, Texas (south)
* Grayson County, Texas (southwest)
* Marshall County (west)
* Johnston County (northwest)

## Demographics[edit | edit source]

Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1910| 29,854| | —
1920| 40,700| | 36.3%
1930| 32,277| | −20.7%
1940| 38,138| | 18.2%
1950| 28,999| | −24.0%
1960| 24,252| | −16.4%
1970| 25,552| | 5.4%
1980| 30,535| | 19.5%
1990| 32,089| | 5.1%
2000| 36,534| | 13.9%
2010| 42,416| | 16.1%
2019 (est.)| 47,995| [8]| 13.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2019[1]

File:USA Bryan County, Oklahoma age pyramid.svg

Age pyramid for Bryan County, Oklahoma, based on census 2000 data.

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 36,534 people, 14,422 households, and 9,936 families residing in the county. The population density was 40 people per square mile (16/km2). There were 16,715 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 80.02% White, 1.42% Black or African American, 12.16% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.08% from other races, and 4.84% from two or more races. 2.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.4% were of American, 10.1% Irish, 8.1% German and 6.7% English ancestry.

There were 14,422 households, out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.00% were married couples living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.10% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.80% under the age of 18, 11.70% from 18 to 24, 25.70% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,888, and the median income for a family was $33,984. Males had a median income of $26,831 versus $20,087 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,217. About 14.00% of families and 18.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.40% of those under age 18 and 17.00% of those age 65 or over.

## Politics[edit | edit source]

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of November 1, 2019[14]

Party  | Number of Voters  | Percentage
| Democratic | 9,808  | 44.08%
| Republican | 8,917  | 40.08%
| Others  | 3,449  | 15.50%
Total  | 22,249  | 100%
United States presidential election results for Bryan County, Oklahoma[15] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 12,344  | 77.27% | 3,323  | 20.80%  | 309  | 1.93%
2016 | 10,478  | 75.83% | 2,804  | 20.29%  | 536  | 3.88%
2012 | 9,520  | 72.12% | 3,681  | 27.88%  | 0  | 0.00%
2008 | 9,307  | 67.77% | 4,426  | 32.23%  | 0  | 0.00%
2004 | 8,615  | 59.99% | 5,745  | 40.01%  | 0  | 0.00%
2000 | 6,084  | 51.80% | 5,554  | 47.28%  | 108  | 0.92%
1996 | 3,943  | 34.79%  | 5,962  | 52.60% | 1,430  | 12.62%
1992 | 3,452  | 25.63%  | 6,259  | 46.47% | 3,757  | 27.90%
1988 | 4,615  | 40.13%  | 6,849  | 59.55% | 37  | 0.32%
1984 | 6,246  | 53.07% | 5,475  | 46.52%  | 48  | 0.41%
1980 | 3,980  | 37.61%  | 6,410  | 60.57% | 192  | 1.81%
1976 | 2,848  | 27.67%  | 7,410  | 71.99% | 35  | 0.34%
1972 | 5,397  | 61.91% | 3,144  | 36.06%  | 177  | 2.03%
1968 | 2,727  | 33.24%  | 3,214  | 39.17% | 2,264  | 27.59%
1964 | 2,652  | 30.89%  | 5,934  | 69.11% | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 3,845  | 46.48%  | 4,428  | 53.52% | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 2,939  | 33.91%  | 5,729  | 66.09% | 0  | 0.00%
1952 | 3,340  | 33.14%  | 6,739  | 66.86% | 0  | 0.00%
1948 | 1,366  | 14.99%  | 7,748  | 85.01% | 0  | 0.00%
1944 | 1,677  | 18.90%  | 7,180  | 80.91% | 17  | 0.19%
1940 | 2,190  | 19.36%  | 9,095  | 80.42% | 25  | 0.22%
1936 | 1,362  | 14.35%  | 8,106  | 85.43% | 20  | 0.21%
1932 | 825  | 9.70%  | 7,681  | 90.30% | 0  | 0.00%
1928 | 3,014  | 43.37%  | 3,885  | 55.90% | 51  | 0.73%
1924 | 1,780  | 25.17%  | 4,593  | 64.95% | 699  | 9.88%
1920 | 3,127  | 38.83%  | 4,502  | 55.90% | 424  | 5.27%
1916 | 1,267  | 25.30%  | 2,974  | 59.40% | 766  | 15.30%
1912 | 711  | 18.49%  | 2,278  | 59.25% | 856  | 22.26%

## Economy[edit | edit source]

Agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and distribution are bedrocks of the county's economy. Tourism attractions include Lake Texoma, Lake Durant, the Choctaw Casino Resort, Choctaw Casino Bingo and Fort Washita.

Major employers in the region include the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the headquarters of the J.C. Potter meat processing facility, Durant's Historic Central Business District and Retail District, a Cardinal Glass Industries manufacturing facility, AllianceHealth Durant,[16] a Big Lots distribution center, the headquarters of First United Bank and First Texoma National Bank, Indian Nation Wholesale, and Wal-Mart.

## Communities[edit | edit source]

### City[edit | edit source]

* Durant (county seat)

### Towns[edit | edit source]

* Achille
* Armstrong
* Bennington
* Bokchito
* Caddo
* Calera
* Colbert
* Hendrix
* Kemp
* Kenefic
* Mead
* Silo

### Census-designated places[edit | edit source]

* Albany
* Blue
* Cartwright
* Platter
* Sand Point
* Utica

### Other unincorporated communities[edit | edit source]

* Allison
* Banty
* Brown
* Cade
* Cobb
* Kiersey
* Romia
* Roberta
* Yarnaby
* Yuba

## NRHP sites[edit | edit source]

Main article: National Register of Historic Places listings in Bryan County, Oklahoma

The following sites in Bryan county are on the National Register of Historic Places.

* Bloomfield Academy Site, Achille vicinity
* Armstrong Academy Site, Bokchito vicinity
* Caddo Community Building, Caddo
* Colbert's Ferry Site, Colbert vicinity
* Durant Downtown Historic District, Durant
* Bryan County Courthouse, Durant
* Robert E. Lee School, Durant
* Oklahoma Presbyterian College, Durant

* Robert Lee Williams Public Library, Durant
* J. L. Wilson Building, Durant
* Carriage Point (Fisher's Station), Durant
* Roberta School Campus, Durant
* State Highway No. 78 Bridge at the Red River, Karma vicinity
* Fort McCulloch, Kenefic vicinity
* Nail's Station, Kenefic vicinity
* Fort Washita, Nida vicinity

|

## References[edit | edit source]

1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ Oklahoma Townships
4. ^ Morris, John W. Historical Atlas of Oklahoma (Norman: University of Oklahoma, 1986), plate 38.
5. ^ a b c d e f Milligan, James C. "Bryan County," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, 2009. Accessed March 28, 2015.
6. ^ "Counties & Regions". Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (Travel Promotion Division). Retrieved February 5, 2019.
7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
8. ^ "County Population Totals: 2010-2019". Retrieved December 23, 2020.
9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
11. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
14. ^ "Oklahoma Registration Statistics by County" (PDF). OK.gov. November 1, 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
16. ^ http://www.ok-durant.org/files/profiles/22/2017 Major Employers-Durant.pdf[dead link]

## Further reading[edit | edit source]

* Bryan County Heritage Association. The History of Bryan County Oklahoma. National ShareGraphics, 1983. 596.

## External links[edit | edit source]

* Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture - Bryan County
* Oklahoma Digital Maps: Digital Collections of Oklahoma and Indian Territory

Places adjacent to Bryan County, Oklahoma

| Johnston County | Atoka County |

|
|

|  |
Marshall County |

Bryan County

| Choctaw County
|  |
Grayson County, Texas | Fannin County, Texas | Lamar County, Texas

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Bryan County, Oklahoma, United States

County seat: Durant

City|

* Durant

Bryan County map

Towns|

* Achille
* Armstrong
* Bennington
* Bokchito
* Caddo
* Calera
* Colbert
* Hendrix
* Kemp
* Kenefic
* Mead
* Silo

CDPs|

* Albany
* Blue
* Cartwright
* Platter
* Sand Point
* Utica

Other
communities|

* Allison
* Banty
* Brown
* Cade
* Cobb
* Kiersey
* Romia
* Roberta
* Wade
* Yarnaby
* Yuba

Ghost towns|

* Finchtown
* Hatsboro
* Paucaunla

Indian reservations|

* Chickasaw Nation‡
* Choctaw Nation‡

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

National Register of Historic Places in Bryan County, Oklahoma

Achille|

* Bloomfield Academy Site

Bryan County map

Bokchito|

* Armstrong Academy Site

Caddo|

* Caddo Community Building

Colbert|

* Colbert's Ferry Site

Durant|

* Bryan County Courthouse
* Durant Downtown Historic District
* Robert E. Lee School
* Oklahoma Presbyterian College
* Robert Lee Williams Public Library
* J. L. Wilson Building
* Carriage Point (Fisher's Station)
* Roberta School Campus

Kemp|

* State Highway 78 Bridge at the Red River

Kenefic|

* Fort McCulloch
* Nail's Station

Nida|

* Fort Washita

See also: National Register of Historic Places listings in Bryan County, Oklahoma and List of National Historic Landmarks in Oklahoma

* v
* t
* e

State of Oklahoma

Oklahoma City (capital)

Topics|

* Index
* Earthquakes
* Geography
* Government
* Governor (List)
* History
* Land Rush of 1889, 1891, 1892, 1893, and 1895
* Unassigned Lands
* Mass media
* Newspapers
* Radio
* TV
* People
* Sports
* Symbols
* Tourist attractions

Society|

* Culture
* Crime
* Demographics
* Economy
* Education
* Politics

Regions|

* Arklatex
* Central
* Cherokee Outlet
* Choctaw Country
* Cross Timbers
* Four State Area
* Flint Hills
* Green Country
* Little Dixie
* Northwestern
* Oklahoma City Metro
* Ouachita Mountains
* The Ozarks
* Panhandle
* South Central
* Southwestern
* Texoma
* Tulsa Metro
* Western

Largest cities|

* Ardmore
* Bartlesville
* Bixby
* Broken Arrow
* Del City
* Duncan
* Edmond
* Enid
* Lawton
* Midwest City
* Muskogee
* Moore
* Norman
* Oklahoma City
* Owasso
* Ponca City
* Shawnee
* Stillwater
* Tulsa
* Yukon

Counties|

* Adair
* Alfalfa
* Atoka
* Beaver
* Beckham
* Blaine
* Bryan
* Caddo
* Canadian
* Carter
* Cherokee
* Choctaw
* Cimarron
* Cleveland
* Coal
* Comanche
* Cotton
* Craig
* Creek
* Custer
* Delaware
* Dewey
* Ellis
* Garfield
* Garvin
* Grady
* Grant
* Greer
* Harmon
* Harper
* Haskell
* Hughes
* Jackson
* Jefferson
* Johnston
* Kay
* Kingfisher
* Kiowa
* Latimer
* Le Flore
* Lincoln
* Logan
* Love
* Major
* Marshall
* Mayes
* McClain
* McCurtain
* McIntosh
* Murray
* Muskogee
* Noble
* Nowata
* Okfuskee
* Oklahoma
* Okmulgee
* Osage
* Ottawa
* Pawnee
* Payne
* Pittsburg
* Pontotoc
* Pottawatomie
* Pushmataha
* Roger Mills
* Rogers
* Seminole
* Sequoyah
* Stephens
* Texas
* Tillman
* Tulsa
* Wagoner
* Washington
* Washita
* Woods
* Woodward

Coordinates: 33°58′N 96°15′W﻿ / ﻿33.97°N 96.25°W﻿ / 33.97; -96.25
*[Pop.]: Population
*[%±]: Percent change
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template