Purcell is a city in and the county seat of McClain County, Oklahoma, United States; it also extends a small distance into Cleveland County. The population was 5,571 at the 2000 census and 10,880 residents in the zipcode (Bestplaces.net). Located in the central part of the state, situated on a bluff overlooking the Canadian River valley, which lies below. It is part of the 7 county central Oklahoma/Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area and south of Norman, site of the University of Oklahoma campus.

Geography

Purcell is located at (35.017465, -97.369537).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.4 square miles (26.9 kmē), of which, 9.9 square miles (25.8 kmē) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1.1 kmē) of it (4.24%) is water.

The central core of Purcell is located at the intersection of US-77 and OK-74/OK-39. Access to I-35 is at the north and south ends of the town.

History

Purcell was founded as a railroad town in 1887, with the coming of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. The town is named in honor of ATSF railroad director Edward Benton (E.B.) Purcell, of Manhattan, Kansas.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,571 people, 2,120 households, and 1,500 families residing in the city. The population density was 560.1 people per square mile (216.2/kmē). There were 2,320 housing units at an average density of 233.3/sq mi (90.0/kmē). The racial makeup of the city was 81.60% White, 2.21% African American, 6.53% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 4.51% from other races, and 4.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.09% of the population.

There were 2,120 households out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,283, and the median income for a family was $36,128. Males had a median income of $25,494 versus $18,919 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,261. About 12.5% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.9% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.

Economy and Retail Trade

Purcell and its surrounding communities are both suburban and agricultural, with much employment in agriculture and other non-farm major employers in the area including Tinker Air Force Base, strong ties to nearby Norman and The University of Oklahoma, State Department of Corrections facilities, assessment center and votech center in Lexington, Mid America Career Tech Center in nearby Wayne, and area businesses and retail merchants.

The area is well known for many large multimillion dollar horse farms which have many employees.

The Purcell Area Chamber of Commerce changed its name to "Heart of Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce" in 2006 to reflect this emerging micropolitan area. The US census bureau defines micropolitan areas as a city with approximate population near 10,000 or more area residents with surrounding towns having strong economic ties and population under 50,000. Purcell is the hub of the retail trade area including Purcell, Dibble, Wayne, Washington, Rosedale, Byars, Cole and Goldsby in McClain County, Lexington and Slaughterville in southern Cleveland County, Wanette in southern Pottawatomie County, Paoli in northern Garvin county, with a total trade area of 45,600 for these community zip codes. (2008 Bestplaces.net)

The FDIC reports three local banks and branches of financial institutions with deposits totalling $210 million.

A Wal-Mart Supercenter was constructed in Purcell in 2006, replacing the older Wal-Mart facility on the north side of town. As a result, commercial activity, both in retail and service sectors has been greatly accelerated with increased sales tax collections for municipal government.

Local landmarks and places of interest

Purcell's downtown business district and its many historic buildings underwent major improvements and revitalization at a cost of over $1 million in the 1990s via the "U.S. Main Street" program. The improvements included new sidewalks, Victorian lamp posts, storefront restorations, and landscape islands in the downtown area. Purcell has three listings on the National Register of Historic Places.

• Hotel Love. A three-story Victorian brick building that currently houses an antique store, a bed and breakfast inn, and retail offices/storefronts.

• McClain County Courthouse. This building is an original turn-of-the-century three-story brick building. The Courthouse underwent a $2 million restoration in 1995.

• James C. Nance Memorial Bridge This bridge spans the South Canadian River, connecting Purcell to Lexington. The bridge, which is among the longest in Oklahoma is named for Purcell resident James C. Nance who served as state house speaker from 1929 to 1931 and 1960-2 and state senate president from 1947 to 1949. Nance was also publisher of a local newspaper (The Purcell Register) from 1930 through 1984.

Other local features

• Stephen Shephard Memorial/Purcell Airport. Renamed from Purcell Municipal Airport in 2005 to honor a Purcell High School alumnus who became a U.S. pilot and flight instructor and lost his life in the Iraq War.
• Brent Bruehl Memorial Golf Course. Named to honor a popular and talented young Purcell High School golf player whose life was ended by cancer in the mid-1970s. The golf course is located with the municipal pool on a rolling area near Purcell Lake.
• Downtown Veterans Memorial. Recent granite memorial constructed by the City of Purcell workers in cooperation with the local American Legion, is across from City Hall on Main Street.

New $14 million dollar public high school is being constructed in 2007-2008. The former high school will become the junior high school.

Recreation facilities

Purcell has two private health club facilities for use by residents.

Transportation

Purcell's Amtrak station is located at the lower level of the hill at east Main Street, and has daily rail service to Oklahoma City, Fort Worth, Norman and Ardmore.

Notable Trivia

Tom Lester of Green Acres, an absurdist television comedy program was a school teacher here in the local school district, prior to pursuing his acting career.

geography

Interstate 35 runs north?south on the west edge of Purcell. The town is also served by U.S. Highway 77, State Highway 39, and State Highway 74.^[1] In addition, ODOT maintains State Highway 77C in downtown Purcell, a route which is not marked.^[2]

References

1. ↑
2. ↑

External links

• City website
• Purcell Public Library

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