Prague, Oklahoma
Prague, Oklahoma | ||
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FIPS code 40-60500[4] | | |
GNIS feature ID | 2411483[3] | |
Website | www |
Prague (/ˈpreɪɡ/ PRAYG[5]) is a city in Lincoln County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 2,356 at the 2020 census, an 1.76 percent decrease from the figure of 2,388 in 2010.[6] Czech immigrants founded the city, and named it after the capital of the present-day Czech Republic.
History
After the opening of the Sac and Fox Reservation by a land run on September 22, 1891, Czech immigrants settled and founded Prague. Eva Barta owned the land, and named the new town "Prague" for the Czech capital in Europe, then part of Austria-Hungary. The town incorporated in 1902.[7] The town's name has been adopted in Sac and Fox language as Pwêkeki.[8]
On March 27, 1943, the film
On May 24, 1952, a head-on automobile collision seriously injured Indian mystic Meher Baba near Prague.[9] The accident site has become a place of pilgrimage for world wide Meher Baba followers.
An F5 tornado tore through Prague on May 5, 1960.
For the 1996 Summer Olympics, the torch was carried through the town of Prague in order to commemorate the legacy of the legendary Sac and Fox native Olympic athlete, Jim Thorpe, who was born and raised in this region.[10]
On November 5, 2011 a series of
On February 2, 2024 there was a 5.1 magnitude earthquake around 11:25pm.[11]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2), all land.
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1910 | 1,025 | — | |
1920 | 1,127 | 10.0% | |
1930 | 1,299 | 15.3% | |
1940 | 1,422 | 9.5% | |
1950 | 1,546 | 8.7% | |
1960 | 1,545 | −0.1% | |
1970 | 1,802 | 16.6% | |
1980 | 2,208 | 22.5% | |
1990 | 2,308 | 4.5% | |
2000 | 2,138 | −7.4% | |
2010 | 2,386 | 11.6% | |
2020 | 2,356 | −1.3% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[12] |
As of the
There were 864 households, out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,779, and the median income for a family was $32,137. Males had a median income of $24,083 versus $19,438 for females. The
Newspapers
The Shawnee News Star and the Prague Times Herald, provide news coverage of Prague.
The Oklahomski Noviny was a Czech-language newspaper printed in Prague in the 20th century.[7]
Education
The Prague Public Schools serve approximately 1000 students.
Economy
Agriculture, with corn as the primary crop, initially drove Prague's economy. This was still true at the beginning of the 21st century. Industry and commerce began to contribute later.[7]
Government
Prague has a council-manager form of city government.[7]
Transportation
Prague is at the intersection of U.S. Routes 377 and 62, and is approximately 10 minutes north of Interstate 40.[13]
The Prague-owned Prague Municipal Airport (FAA Identifier—O47) is two miles west of town, and features a 3600’ asphalt runway.[14]
Culture
On the first Saturday of May each year there is a '
Reflecting its Czech Catholic heritage, Prague is also the home of a Papal-authorized copy of the Infant Jesus of Prague, known as the National Shrine of the Infant Jesus, which draws numerous visitors each year.[16]
Notable people
- Kyle Denney (born 1977), baseball player
- Walter E. Fountain (born 1961), United States Army officer
- Olinka Hrdy (1902–1987), artist
- Richard James (1926–2013), lawyer and legislator
- Orville Edwin Langley (1908–1973), U.S. District Judge for Eastern Oklahoma (1965-1973)
- Jim Thorpe (1887–1953), athlete, the first Native American Olympic gold medalist
NRHP sites
The following sites in Prague are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:
- Prague City Hall and Jail
- ZCBJ Lodge No. 46, also known as Bohemian Hall
References
- ^ "City Officials". The City of Prague.
- ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Prague, Oklahoma
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- National Public Radio. March 21, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- ^ CensusViewer:Prague, Oklahoma Population. Archived February 2, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved January 19, 2014.
- ^ a b c d Pritchett, Roger. Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. "Prague." Retrieved March 6, 2015.
- ^ Gordon Whittaker, 2005, "A Concise Dictionary of the Sauk Language", The Sac & Fox National Public Library Stroud, Oklahoma. [1]
- ^ Kalchuri, Bhau (1986). Meher Prabhu: Lord Meher, The Biography of the Avatar of the Age, Meher Baba. Manifestation.
- ^ Hutchison, Mark A. “Prague Carrying Olympic Torch for Native Son.” Oklahoman.com. Oklahoman, December 9, 1995. [2].
- ^ Elamroussi, Aya (February 4, 2024). "A preliminary magnitude 5.1 earthquake strikes east of Oklahoma City". accuweather.com. CNN. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "Prague, Oklahoma". Google Maps. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- ^ "Prague Municipal Airport". AirNav. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- ^ [Al, Zagofsky. “A Visit to Jim Thorpe's Birthplace: Times News Online.” A visit to Jim Thorpe's birthplace – Times News Online, June 12, 2010. [3].
- ^ "The National Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague, Oklahoma". The National Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague, Oklahoma. 2007. Retrieved February 9, 2010.