Krebsis a city inPittsburg County,Oklahoma,United States. The population was 2,083 at the time of the2020 United States census,[4]up 1.5% from the 2,053 reported at the 2010 census, which in turn was a slight increase from the 2,051 reported in 2000.[5]Its nickname is "Little Italy."[6]Krebs was founded before Oklahoma statehood as a coal-mining town in theChoctaw NationofIndian Territory.
Krebs, Oklahoma | |
|---|---|
 Welcome sign | |
| Nickname: Little Italy | |
 Location of Krebs, Oklahoma | |
| Coordinates:34°55′48″N95°43′08″W/ 34.93000°N 95.71889°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Pittsburg |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-council |
| • Mayor | Bobby Watkins |
| Area | |
• Total | 4.85 sq mi (12.57 km2) |
| • Land | 4.84 sq mi (12.55 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2) |
| Elevation | 663 ft (202 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 2,083 |
| • Density | 429.93/sq mi (166.00/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6(Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5(CDT) |
| ZIP code | 74554 |
| Area code(s) | 539/918 |
| FIPS code | 40-40300[3] |
| GNISfeature ID | 2411559[2] |
| Website | http://cityofkrebs /home |
History
edit
A post office was established at Krebs, Indian Territory on February 10, 1886.[7]At the time of its founding, Krebs was located inTobucksy County,a part of theMoshulatubbee Districtof theChoctaw Nation.[8]Krebs began as a coal-mining camp housing European immigrants who came to work coal mines in the surrounding area.[5]The town is named after Judge Edmond Folsom Krebs (1821-1893), a county judge in Tobucksy County.[9]Judge Krebs was born of mixed German and Choctaw ancestry inWinston County, Mississippi.[10]
1892 mining explosion
editAn explosion in the Osage Coal & Mining Company’s No. 11 mine on January 7, 1892 killed about 100 workers and injured another 150,[11][12]but mining continued to prosper. By 1895, there were 15 mines operating nearby. The first local of the United Mine Workers in Indian Territory was founded in the town in 1898. Krebs was linked to McAlester by the Choctaw Railway and Lighting Companyinterurbanrailroad.[5]
Early Krebs
editKrebs was incorporated in the Choctaw Nation in 1903, with Mel D. Reed elected as the first mayor and Bob Miller as the first chief of police. The current St. Joseph's Catholic Church was constructed in 1903. It and an opera house were the first two brick buildings in town. An earlier church and the first opera house, both built of wood, had previously burned down.[10]
The Krebs school system was organized in 1907, the same year that the Choctaw Nation and Indian Territory governments were replaced by the new State of Oklahoma.[10]
TheMissouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad(also known as the MKT or "Katy" ) built a branch from McAlester toWilburton,on which it ran a two-coach train known affectionately as "Nellie." The Katy station was in downtown Krebs. Later, another station was built south of town on the East-West line to serve the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad (a.k.a. CRI&P or Rock Island.) For a time, there was also an electricinterurbanline from McAlester through Krebs toHartshorne.[10]
Krebs had five newspapers at different times: KrebsEagle,KrebsCyclone,KrebsBanner,KrebsAdvertiser,andThe Oklahoma Miner.[10]
Geography
editAccording to theUnited States Census Bureau,the city has a total area of 3.4 square miles (8.8 km2), of which 3.4 sq mi (8.8 km2) is land and 0.29% is water.
Krebs is 3 miles (4.8 km) east ofMcAlester,the county seat, onU.S. Route 270andState Highway 31.[5]
Notable places
editThe KrebsOpera Housewas re-built as a brick structure in 1903, after the first one had been destroyed by fire the previous year. It and the St. Joseph'sCatholic Churchwere the first brick buildings to go up in Krebs. It was the only place for miles around that featured stage shows. Many fine road shows played here, and moving pictures were shown in the Opera House, also. The Dreamland Theater, owned and operated by Mr. & Mrs. David Holstead, later became the popularmovie theaterin Krebs.[10]The original wooden St. Joseph's Church also burned in 1902, and was replaced by a brick church in 1903. It has been completely refurbished in recent years.[13]
Also taking place in town was theTerrapinDerby, originated in 1929 when Mayor J.T. Sadler visited the Miller Brothers Shows inPonca City, Oklahoma.Mayor Sadler brought the idea back to Krebs as a fundraising idea. The derby was a success, and enough money was raised to purchase a new truck for the city. Over the years the derby raised funds that provided vehicles and equipment for one of the finest volunteer fire departments in the region.
Krebs had an Italian Band that played in a double-deckerbandstandin downtown Krebs. There were at least five bandstands betweenMcAlesterandHartshornethat the band played at on weekends, providing entertainment for families from all over. Many families rode the street car to these sites for picnics and festivals.[10]
The city of Krebs maintains a city park which includes abaseballpark, a one-kilometer (0.6-mile) walking track, picnic facilities, a two-story replica of the gazebo that had stood in the town square, and will include playground equipment. The park stands on a portion of the old fairground/racetrack site of a hundred years ago. The original racetrack was a1⁄8-mile (0.20 km), banked oval track where horses, sulkys, and early autos were raced. The Krebs Italian Band played many festivals or 'festas' at the park in bygone simpler times. For years during the 1990s, "The Ethnic Festival" was a popular attraction onLabor Dayweekend, taking place on this Historical Site. Games such asbocceball andmorrawere played by all for fun.
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 2,884 | — | |
| 1920 | 2,078 | −27.9% | |
| 1930 | 1,375 | −33.8% | |
| 1940 | 1,436 | 4.4% | |
| 1950 | 1,532 | 6.7% | |
| 1960 | 1,342 | −12.4% | |
| 1970 | 1,515 | 12.9% | |
| 1980 | 1,754 | 15.8% | |
| 1990 | 1,955 | 11.5% | |
| 2000 | 2,051 | 4.9% | |
| 2010 | 2,053 | 0.1% | |
| 2020 | 2,083 | 1.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[14] | |||
As of thecensus[3]of 2000, there were 2,051 people, 858 households, and 560 families residing in the city. The population density was 601.6 inhabitants per square mile (232.3/km2). There were 949 housing units at an average density of 278.4/sq mi (107.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 78.40%White,1.17%African-American,13.60%Native American,0.44%Asian,0.49% fromother races,and 5.90% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 1.66% of the population.
There were 858 households, out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% weremarried couplesliving together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39, and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.3% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,514, and the median income for a family was $31,641. Males had a median income of $27,321 versus $17,235 for females. Theper capita incomefor the city was $13,042. About 16.6% of families and 19.1% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 25.2% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.
Government
editKrebs has an aldermanic form of government. The current mayor is Tommy Ray Walker. The city has four council persons.
Krebs has a police force of nine officers.[15]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"ArcGIS REST Services Directory".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedSeptember 20,2022.
- ^abU.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Krebs, Oklahoma
- ^ab"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJanuary 31,2008.
- ^"Krebs (city), Oklahoma".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedMarch 20,2024.
- ^abcdSpearman, Pat. "Krebs."Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & CultureAccessed May 2, 2016.
- ^"Oklahoma's Little Italy." TravelOK.Accessed May 2, 2016.
- ^Shirk, George H.Oklahoma Place Names(Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1965), p. 120.
- ^Morris, John W.Historical Atlas of Oklahoma(Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1986), plate 38.
- ^Shirk, George (1987).Oklahoma Place Names(2nd ed.). Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press. p. 135.ISBN0806120282.
- ^abcdefg"History of Krebs." Krebs History Museum. undated.Accessed August 30, 2017.
- ^"Disaster: Mine explodes in Oklahoma." This Day in History.Accessed May 6, 2016
- ^United States Mine Rescue Association."Mine No. 11 Explosion - Krebs, Oklahoma".Mine Disasters in the United States.RetrievedJune 23,2018.
- ^"Day, Craig. Krebs Community Unites To Restore Historical Church".NewsOn6. December 7, 2011. Accessed May 2, 2016.
- ^"Census of Population and Housing".Census.gov.RetrievedJune 4,2015.
- ^"Krebs Police Department".RetrievedJuly 27,2015.