During the nineteenth century, Indian tribes from all over the country were forcibly displaced by the central American government into the Indian territory. The territory of today's Oklahoma City was considered an unassigned country (Unassigned Lands), because it was not assigned to a tribe. In February 1887, a railway depot named Oklahoma Station was opened in this railway depot before the infrastructure was expanded by the construction of a post office in December of the same year.

On April 22, 1889, Oklahoma City was settled by more than 10,000 Anglo-Americans during the Oklahoma Land Run. A few days after the country run, a provisional government was installed. Oklahoma City was officially founded on 15 July 1890, about two months after the construction of the Oklahoma territory. This was followed by the first elections, from which William J. Gault won. On 12 August 1890 he became the first mayor of the city to hold this office.

Oklahoma City first served as the seat of County Two and Guthrie as the capital of the territory. Before joining the United States in 1907, Oklahoma City attempted to supplant the capital as the economic center of the new state. In a petition, Oklahoma City was proposed as the new capital, and the city won a victory in an election held on June 11, 1910.

During the first ten years, the population doubled. The new town continued to grow until the discovery of oil in the area on 4 December 1928. Everywhere the "black gold" was pumped out of the earth. Even on the lawn of the Capitol oil was extracted. The influence of oil money accelerated growth. Oklahoma City became an attractive Victorian city, connected to the railway network and industrial settlements. The population grew to 64,000 inhabitants.

While many made the big money with oil, the majority of Americans were not fortunate enough to escape the Great Depression. In 1935, Hooverville was established on the southern shore of the North Canadian River, named after Herbert C. Hoover, a barack settlement built by rural emigrants and unemployed. The river was often flooded and caused disease and destruction to the people living there. As part of the so-called New Deal, initial public-housing experience has been gained, and the water level of the river has been reduced by measures taken by the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corp, which later became a problem for the city, as the river has scarcely led to water in some years. In 1935, the first parking clock invented by Carl Magee was erected in the city.

In the 1970's, the city experienced a period of recovery thanks to the oil boom and the construction of a car factory by General Motors. In the 1980's, the bankruptcy of Penn Square Bank (1982) and the fall in oil prices in the mid-decade caused a severe economic crisis. Many houses in the center of the city were empty; The room was very small. Unemployment was about 10 percent. The recession lasted until the 1990's.

On 14 December 1993, citizens voted in favor of the MAPS (Metropolitan Area Projects) project, which provided for a temporary tax increase. With the additional revenues, the city financed infrastructure investments without having to borrow. For example, a library, a canal and a sports arena were built. The plan to make the city more attractive to potential workers in this way, and consequently to attract businesses, was up. Today, the project is considered a success and is partly responsible for the positive development of the economy and culture, which is reflected in the construction of hotels and museums.

Most of the city's banks responded to the crisis of the 1980s, and then adhered to a conservative, less risky lending policy. This explains why the city was only marginally affected by the global economic crisis from 2007 onwards.

On May 20, 2013, the city was hit by the Moore Tornado. The result was severe damage to buildings and 24 deaths.

bombing

The destroyed building two days after the attack

On April 19, 1995, the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building target of the so-called Oklahoma City Bombing, which killed 168 people and injured more than 800. On the morning of April 19, a van loaded with about three tons of explosives detonated on 5th Street in front of the building. A third of the building was blown away.

In the search for the offenders, only a few hours after the explosion, the vehicle was traced. A vehicle axle with a serial number found in the building manifolds was able to locate the car rental company. His description led to Timothy McVeigh, who was recognized on the phantom by a motel owner. The search for him revealed that shortly after the attack, he had been stopped by the police for missing marks and arrested for illegal possession of weapons.

Two other accomplices were arrested, including Terry Nichols, a good friend McVeighs, who were members of the Michigan militia, a paramilitary association. The motives cited by the perpetrators were that the attack was intended to retaliate for the events in Waco and Ruby Ridge, both of which had taken place a few years earlier. Timothy McVeigh was sentenced to death by a court and executed in Indiana on 11 June 2001. Terry Nichols was sentenced to life imprisonment in August 2004.

On April 19, 2000, the Oklahoma City National Memorial was opened to commemorate the victims of this terrorist attack.

According to the last census, the city had about 580,000 inhabitants in 2010. The authorities estimate that this figure has increased to around 620,000 by 2014. The population density was 395 inhabitants per km² for 2013. Rapid population growth is partly attributed to the region's long-standing economic growth and the associated creation of jobs.

The median age in 2014 was 34.4 years.

population composition is more fragmented than in the whole state; the migration rate is significantly higher. 12% of city dwellers were born outside the United States. For example, whites - 63% of the total population - are the most represented breed. However, they represent a much smaller proportion of the population than in other regions of Oklahoma. Among the white, 43% are of Hispanic or Latin American origin. Most of them are Mexicans. Black and African-Americans account for the second largest group after the white, with 15%. Asians account for 4% of the population. The latter two groups are clearly over-represented in the city: Their share is twice as high as in the state. By contrast, the 3.5% share of Native Americans is well below the 9% cut. However, in absolute terms, the city is the fourth largest Indian community in the USA. The relative majority (13.0%) of the inhabitants of Oklahoma City has German ancestors. In the statistics, people of Irish (10.0%), English (7.4%) and American descent (7.0%) are ranked further.

crime

The crime rate of Oklahoma City was high in 2012. It was 591.5 points (US average: 301.1). In the suburbs, however, it was significantly lower. According to a study, Oklahoma City ranked seventh in the country in 2014 among the most dangerous cities with at least 500,000 inhabitants.

aerial photo of the city (2006)

Oklahoma City is located in the center of Oklahoma, a region known as Central Oklahoma and Frontier Country. The city is located 157 kilometers west of Oklahoma's second metropolis Tulsa and 304 kilometers north of Dallas. It covers the counties Oklahoma, Cleveland, Canadian and Pottawatomie. The area of 1,608.8 square kilometers makes it the eighth largest city in the United States by area.

Oklahoma City is located on the southeast edge of the Great Plains. Just west of the city begins the low-tree high-grass rie. The North Canadian River, a tributary of the Canadian River, passes through the city. The seven-mile section of the river near the city is called the Oklahoma River and is used for recreation and sports.

Together with its suburbs, the city forms the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area, an agglomeration of 1.3 million inhabitants. The largest suburbs are Norman in the south and Edmond in the north. Other places with at least 20,000 inhabitants are Choctaw, Del City, Forest Park, Midwest City, Moore, Shawnee, and Yukon. Individual neighboring municipalities are completely enclosed in the core city area.

city

There are two different definitions of urban structure: Politically, Oklahoma City is divided into eight electoral districts (see below), whose borders are flexible, because they are adapted to the current population structure before any election. On the other hand, the city can be divided into six regions with fixed borders: Northwest (NW), Northeast (NE), Center (CC), Southwest (SW), South (S) and Southeast (SE). This definition also applies to street names.

climate

The Moore Tornado near Oklahoma City, May 20, 2013

The city is located after Köppen in the wet subtropical climate zone (Cfa). It is in the form of the east side climate. The climate is humid all year round with a peak in June.

The characteristics are long and hot summers: The highest average temperature is 28 °C in July, and the daily temperatures reach an average of 34 °C, but may also be much higher. On August 11, 1936, a heat record of 45 °C was set. Winter lasts only a few months. Although temperatures are often mild, night frost is not uncommon. During the day, however, temperatures almost always rise above freezing. The coldest month is January with an average temperature of 4 °C. The cold record dates from 12 February 1899, when -27 °C was measured. The average annual temperature was 16.4 °C during the period 1981-2010.

Because Oklahoma City is located in the Tornado Alley, there is an increased risk of tornadoes during certain seasons. This is particularly large in the months of April to June, when most and most violent storms occur. Since records began in 1890, tornadoes have occurred every month of the year, except in December and January.

The Capitol of Oklahomas

Mayor Mick Cornett

Oklahoma City is currently a stronghold of the Republican Party. Since 1987, the city has been governed by a Republican. This is due to the conservative electorate: According to a 2014 study, Oklahoma City ranks second among the most conservative cities in the US, with at least 250,000 inhabitants.

Oklahoma City is the capital of the state of Oklahoma and is the seat of the Oklahoma State Capitol. The capital combines the two chambers of the legislature of the state (House of Representatives and Senate). The city also serves as the seat of the Oklahoma county and houses Oklahoma County Courthouse in this function. Oklahoma City is part of the constituency No. 5.

town

Since 1927 the city has a Council Manager Government. The citizens of Oklahoma City elected the mayor (Mayor) and the eight-member city council (City Council). Each member of the city council represents one of the eight constituencies (Wards). The mayor's term of office shall be four years; that of the city council two. They appoint a chief professional city manager (City Manager) who implements the guidelines of the city council.

Since 2004, Republican Mick Cornett has held the position of city leader. After the election in March 2014, when he received a 65.7% vote, he will rule in fourth term.

partner cities

• China People's Republic of Haikou, China
• Mexico Puebla, Mexico
• Taiwan Tainan, Taiwan
• Taiwan Taipei, Taiwan
• Israel Yehud, Israel
• Russia, Ulyanovsk, Russia

traffic

Road in Oklahoma County

The Interstate 40 with the Oklahoma City skyline in the background

ferry services on the Oklahoma River

Small port at Lake Hefner

The main means of transport is the car, with which about 94% of the inhabitants make their way. Public transport, on the other hand, has only a limited role to play: Of a mere 0.7% (as at: 2013), workers will use them on their way to work (without taxis).

road network

Oklahoma City is well connected to the US highway network. Three interstate highways pass through the city. Interstate 35 connects the city to Wichita, Kansas City and Minneapolis in the north, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio in the south. Interstate 40 provides connections to Amarillo and Albuquerque in the west, as well as Little Rock, Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville in the east. The Interstate 44 connects to Wichita Falls in the southwest and Tulsa, Springfield and St. Louis in the northeast.

In addition, the world-famous Route 66 runs through the city area.

air

Nearby are Will Rogers World Airport and the smaller Wiley Post Airport, which is currently being refurbished. The airports are named after two people who died in the same plane crash in Alaska. The Will Rogers World Airport is open daily for 12,000 passengers (stand: 2014) Oklahoma's most important civil airport and flies to the largest cities in the United States, including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Phoenix.

public transport

The Heartland Flyer of the Amtrak railway company leaves for Fort Worth, Texas at the Santa Fe Depot twice a day. There are connections to Dallas, Chicago and San Antonio.

Within the urban area, the bus company Embark has built a network of lines that stretches from the junction in downtown to the suburbs. Of the 19 lines, 16 run from Monday to Saturday and 3 only work days.

In September 2013, the City Council adopted the decision to reintroduce a tram. A network of about seven kilometers is to be created in the first phase of the project. Construction started on 7 February 2017. Meanwhile, further expansion plans have been approved, and ferry connections are planned.

Oklahoma City tramway opened on 14 December 2018.

ferry

From April to December, the Oklahoma River is served by ferries.

water supply

In the 1910s, the first reservoir for water supply to the population was planned. In 1918 the Lake Overholser was completed. The construction of Lake Hefner was interrupted during World War II and completed in 1947. 15 years later, Lake Stanley Draper followed. These three lakes, which are located in the urban area, are still important for the distribution of water. In the early 1960s, the city had a lake built 160 kilometers away and transported the water to Oklahoma City by pipeline. In 1983, Sardis Lake was completed with another reservoir outside the city.

education

Oklahoma City has several universities. The largest college in the city and one of the largest in the state is the Oklahoma City Community College, which has 22,000 students enrolled.

With a student population of 7,000, Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City is the largest university in the city. In addition, Oklahoma City University, which has a total of 4,000 students, and Oklahoma Christian University, which has 2,000 students.

In addition, several branches of other major universities of the state are located in the city. The University of Central Oklahoma's music academy is located in downtown and nearby is the University of Oklahoma Medical School, whose main campus is located in nearby Norman.

Drilling tower in a suburb of Oklahoma City

Devon Energy’s headquarters are the highest building in the city.

The city of Oklahoma City is currently considered a particularly strong industrial site. Oklahoma City's economy has been growing rapidly for years, at more than four per cent in 2011 and 2012, and 3.9 per cent in 2012. The unemployment rate, which, according to the American Community Survey, is 3.9%, is one of the lowest in the US. The trend has been declining for years.

A worker's median income is slightly below the average of $28,000 a year. According to the US Department of Labor, the average hourly wage in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area is $20.47 (as of: 2013). This figure is 8% below the German average.

The main employers in the Oklahoma City area are: The state of Oklahoma (42,000 jobs), the Tinker Air Force Base (27,000) and the University of Oklahoma (11,900).

Oklahoma City's metropolitan region produced $65.7 billion in economic output in 2016. In the area of the city, a large part of the economic activity of the state of Oklahoma is carried out.

industry

Oklahoma City is located directly above an oil field, which is why oil and gas extraction has played a key role since the 1930s. In total there are about 1,400 oil and gas sources within the city boundaries (status: 2014), of which around 1,100 are active. Most of them are on private grounds. The city receives $3.7 million a year through licensing (average from 2004 to 2014). Devon Energy and Chesapeake Energy, which are among the largest US gas producers, were among the top 500 companies in the world in 2014. In addition, OGE Energy is listed in the top 1000. Experts and politicians are critical of the city's excessive dependence on the energy industry. The mayor has also acknowledged this problem.

In addition, the automobile industry has been present in the city for almost 30 years with a production plant of General Motors. There were up to 5,000 workers in the factory at the top. In 2001, the plant was temporarily closed as a result of a reorganization. As of 2002, only utility vehicles were produced. In November 2005, the Group announced the closure of the production facility for the beginning of the following year. More than 2,000 jobs were lost.

agriculture

Oklahoma City Stockyards

Livestock farming is one of the most traditional sectors in the region. Oklahoma National Stock Yards Company started operations in October 1910. In the town's livestock markets, cattle trade is particularly high. The auctions, which are still held regularly today, are open to visitors.

resident

• OGE Energy
• Devon Energy, energy company
• Love’s Travel Stopps & Country Stores
• Taco Mayo, franchise system gastronomy chain
• Chesapeake Energy, oil and gas producer
• SandRidge Energy, oil and gas producer

The Chesapeake Energy Arena

OPUBCO headquarters, editor of the daily The Oklahoman

museums

The city's most important museums include Oklahoma Science Museum, Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, and the Museum of Osteology.

sport

team sport

The city's flagship is the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team, which plays in the NBA. Its home games are held at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Oklahoma City Barons are the most famous ice hockey team in the city and participate in the American Hockey League. Your games will take place at the Cox Convention Center. The Oklahoma City Dodgers play in the Minor League Baseball. Your home games are played at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. In professional football, the city is represented by Franchise Oklahoma City Energy, which plays in the USL Professional Division. The club plays its matches in the Pribil Stadium.

Other sports

Equestrian sports are also popular here. The city itself is known as the "Horse Show Capital of the World". The American Quarter Horse Association takes place in Oklahoma City every year in November. Most of the competitions are held at the Oklahoma State Fair Arena. The Oklahoma River is the official training center for the Olympic and Paralympic rowing and canoe teams of the United States and the venue for important competitions of these sports.

media

The conservative daily The Oklahoman is the largest print medium in the state in Oklahoma City. It ranks 58 of the largest daily newspapers in Germany (stand: 26 June 2013).

All major TV networks have local outlets in Oklahoma City:

• NBC: KFOR TV (Channel 4)
• ABC: COCO TV (Channel 5)
• CBS: KWTV-DT (Channel 9)
• PBS: KETA TV (Channel 13)
• FOX: KOKH TV (Channel 25)
• CW: KOCB (Channel 34)
• MyNetworkTV: KSBI (Channel 52)

leisure and relaxation

Water taxis on Bricktown Canal

The Bricktown Canal, completed in 1999, is a tourist attraction. Water taxis are available for trips.

Oklahoma City Zoo, a public law company, has up to one million visitors per year. It is the habitat of 500 species and was opened in 1902 as a small menagerie.

The Frontier City theme park is Western and is located directly at Interstate 35. It offers, among other things, roller coasters, a giant wheel, live shows and concerts.

National Park Service

Oklahoma City University is one of 107 entries of the city in the NRHP.

The National Park Service has 107 buildings and sites of the city in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as of November 10, 2018.