Cushing, Oklahoma
Encyclopedia
Cushing is a city in Payne County
, Oklahoma
, United States
. The population was 8,371 at the 2000 census
.
The city was established after the Land Run of 1891
by Billy Rae Little. It was named for Marshall Cushing, private secretary to U.S. Postmaster General John Wanamaker
. An oil boom that began in 1912 led to the city's development as a refining center.
Today, Cushing is a major trading hub for crude oil and a famous price settlement point for West Texas Intermediate
on the New York Mercantile Exchange
.
, government trader for the tribe Billy Rae Little built a house, established his claim, and laid out town lots. The town got a post office late that year and was named for Marshall Cushing, private secretary to U.S. Postmaster General John Wanamaker.
In 1902, the Eastern Oklahoma Railway line to Cushing was built. The Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway added service on its own line built in 1903.
Wildcatter Thomas B. Slick started an oil boom on March 17, 1912 when he brought in a gusher east of the town. Oil production became based in nearby Drumright, Oklahoma
, and Cushing became a refining center.
at the intersection of state highways 33 and 18. Its geographic coordinates are 35°58′57"N 96°45′51"W (35.982628, -96.764171). According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 7.6 square miles (19.7 km²), of which, 7.6 square miles (19.7 km²) is land and 0.13% is water.
of 2000, there were 8,371 people, 3,071 households, and 2,002 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,096.1 people per square mile (423.0/km²). There were 3,636 housing units at an average density of 476.1 per square mile (183.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 79.66% White, 7.02% African American, 7.97% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.90% from other races
, and 4.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.70% of the population.
There were 3,071 households out of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples
living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% 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 2.99.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 111.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,483, and the median income for a family was $32,284. Males had a median income of $26,710 versus $17,711 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $12,620. About 15.1% of families and 16.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.0% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.
on the New York Mercantile Exchange
and has been cited as the most significant trading hub for crude oil in North America. As of 2007, Cushing holds 5 to 10 percent of the total U.S. crude inventory. Signs made of a pipe and valve on the major highways near town proclaim Cushing to be the "Pipeline Crossroads of the World", and the town is surrounded by several tank farms
. Most storage tanks are owned by four entities: oil giant BP
, and energy-transport and logistics firms Enbridge Energy Partners, Plains All American Pipeline
, and SemGroup
Energy Partners. On July 13, 2010, BP announced it will sell its assets in Cushing to Magellan Midstream Partners.
On April 13, 2007, the now-defunct Lehman Brothers
released a study which claimed that WTI
Crude at Cushing is no longer an accurate gauge of world oil prices. A large stockpile of oil at the facility (mainly due to a Valero refinery shutdown) has caused prices to be artificially depressed at the Cushing pricing point. This gap relative to world markets increased in early 2009 to nearly $
12 per barrel at times, causing Saudi Arabia, a leading oil exporter and OPEC
member, to announce an end to benchmarking its own oil prices to WTI.
Cushing will be the southernmost hub of the proposed 2148 miles (3,456.9 km) Keystone Pipeline
that will transport up to 590000 oilbbl/d of crude oil from Hardisty
, Alberta
to a huge tank farm in Patoka, IL
. From there there is distribution to a refinery in Wood River, Illinois
, as well as to the Cushing Hub.
In 2006, with production increases from Canadian oil sands, one pipeline reversed direction, bringing crude into the Cushing Hub, rather than delivering crude from Cushing to oil refineries.
The Enbridge’s Spearhead line connects Chicago and Cushing with a 125000 oilbbl/d pipeline.
Payne County, Oklahoma
Payne County is a county in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population as of 2010 was 77,350. Its county seat is Stillwater, and the county is named for Capt. David L. Payne...
, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 8,371 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
.
The city was established after the Land Run of 1891
Land Run of 1891
The Land Run of 1891 was a set of horse races to settle land acquired by the federal government through the opening of several small Indian reservations in Oklahoma Territory. The race involved approximately 20,000 homesteaders, who gathered to stake their claims on 6097 plots of former...
by Billy Rae Little. It was named for Marshall Cushing, private secretary to U.S. Postmaster General John Wanamaker
John Wanamaker
John Wanamaker was a United States merchant, religious leader, civic and political figure, considered by some to be the father of modern advertising and a "pioneer in marketing." Wanamaker was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-Biography:He was born on July 11, 1838.He opened his first store in...
. An oil boom that began in 1912 led to the city's development as a refining center.
Today, Cushing is a major trading hub for crude oil and a famous price settlement point for West Texas Intermediate
West Texas Intermediate
West Texas Intermediate , also known as Texas light sweet, is a grade of crude oil used as a benchmark in oil pricing. It is a light and sweet crude oil...
on the New York Mercantile Exchange
New York Mercantile Exchange
The New York Mercantile Exchange is the world's largest physical commodity futures exchange. It is located at One North End Avenue in the World Financial Center in the Battery Park City section of Manhattan, New York City...
.
History
The area that would become Cushing was part of the Sac and Fox Reservation. With the Land Run of 1891Land Run of 1891
The Land Run of 1891 was a set of horse races to settle land acquired by the federal government through the opening of several small Indian reservations in Oklahoma Territory. The race involved approximately 20,000 homesteaders, who gathered to stake their claims on 6097 plots of former...
, government trader for the tribe Billy Rae Little built a house, established his claim, and laid out town lots. The town got a post office late that year and was named for Marshall Cushing, private secretary to U.S. Postmaster General John Wanamaker.
In 1902, the Eastern Oklahoma Railway line to Cushing was built. The Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway added service on its own line built in 1903.
Wildcatter Thomas B. Slick started an oil boom on March 17, 1912 when he brought in a gusher east of the town. Oil production became based in nearby Drumright, Oklahoma
Drumright, Oklahoma
Drumright is a city in Creek and Payne counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 2,905 at the 2000 census.-History:The town sprang up nearly overnight in 1912 after wildcatter Tom Slick struck oil on the farm of Frank Wheeler, causing a rush of speculators, oilfield workers, and...
, and Cushing became a refining center.
Geography
Cushing is located in Payne County, OklahomaPayne County, Oklahoma
Payne County is a county in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population as of 2010 was 77,350. Its county seat is Stillwater, and the county is named for Capt. David L. Payne...
at the intersection of state highways 33 and 18. Its geographic coordinates are 35°58′57"N 96°45′51"W (35.982628, -96.764171). According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 7.6 square miles (19.7 km²), of which, 7.6 square miles (19.7 km²) is land and 0.13% is water.
Climate
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 8,371 people, 3,071 households, and 2,002 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,096.1 people per square mile (423.0/km²). There were 3,636 housing units at an average density of 476.1 per square mile (183.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 79.66% White, 7.02% African American, 7.97% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.90% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 4.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.70% of the population.
There were 3,071 households out of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% 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 2.99.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 111.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,483, and the median income for a family was $32,284. Males had a median income of $26,710 versus $17,711 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $12,620. About 15.1% of families and 16.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.0% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.
Oil industry
Currently
Cushing is a major hub in oil supply connecting the Gulf Coast suppliers with northern consumers. Cushing is famous as a price settlement point for West Texas IntermediateWest Texas Intermediate
West Texas Intermediate , also known as Texas light sweet, is a grade of crude oil used as a benchmark in oil pricing. It is a light and sweet crude oil...
on the New York Mercantile Exchange
New York Mercantile Exchange
The New York Mercantile Exchange is the world's largest physical commodity futures exchange. It is located at One North End Avenue in the World Financial Center in the Battery Park City section of Manhattan, New York City...
and has been cited as the most significant trading hub for crude oil in North America. As of 2007, Cushing holds 5 to 10 percent of the total U.S. crude inventory. Signs made of a pipe and valve on the major highways near town proclaim Cushing to be the "Pipeline Crossroads of the World", and the town is surrounded by several tank farms
Oil depot
An oil depot is an industrial facility for the storage of oil and/or petrochemical products and from which these products are usually transported to end users or further storage facilities...
. Most storage tanks are owned by four entities: oil giant BP
BP
BP p.l.c. is a global oil and gas company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest energy company and fourth-largest company in the world measured by revenues and one of the six oil and gas "supermajors"...
, and energy-transport and logistics firms Enbridge Energy Partners, Plains All American Pipeline
Plains All American Pipeline
Plains All American Pipeline is a publicly traded Master Limited Partnership in the oil pipeline transportation, marketing, and storage business in the United States, LPG business in Canada, and Natural Gas Storage business in Michigan and Louisiana...
, and SemGroup
SemGroup
SemGroup is a company based in Tulsa, Oklahoma that is involved in the transport of oil and natural gas from refineries to end users as well as the manufacture and sale of asphalt. As of 2007, it was the 18th largest private company in the US, but filed for bankruptcy in 2008...
Energy Partners. On July 13, 2010, BP announced it will sell its assets in Cushing to Magellan Midstream Partners.
On April 13, 2007, the now-defunct Lehman Brothers
Lehman Brothers
Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. was a global financial services firm. Before declaring bankruptcy in 2008, Lehman was the fourth largest investment bank in the USA , doing business in investment banking, equity and fixed-income sales and trading Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (former NYSE ticker...
released a study which claimed that WTI
West Texas Intermediate
West Texas Intermediate , also known as Texas light sweet, is a grade of crude oil used as a benchmark in oil pricing. It is a light and sweet crude oil...
Crude at Cushing is no longer an accurate gauge of world oil prices. A large stockpile of oil at the facility (mainly due to a Valero refinery shutdown) has caused prices to be artificially depressed at the Cushing pricing point. This gap relative to world markets increased in early 2009 to nearly $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
12 per barrel at times, causing Saudi Arabia, a leading oil exporter and OPEC
OPEC
OPEC is an intergovernmental organization of twelve developing countries made up of Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela. OPEC has maintained its headquarters in Vienna since 1965, and hosts regular meetings...
member, to announce an end to benchmarking its own oil prices to WTI.
Cushing will be the southernmost hub of the proposed 2148 miles (3,456.9 km) Keystone Pipeline
Keystone Pipeline
The Keystone Pipeline System is a pipeline system to transport synthetic crude oil and diluted bitumen from the Athabasca Oil Sands in northeastern Alberta, Canada to multiple destinations in the United States, which include refineries in Illinois, Cushing oil distribution hub in Oklahoma, and...
that will transport up to 590000 oilbbl/d of crude oil from Hardisty
Hardisty, Alberta
Hardisty, Alberta is a town in Flagstaff County in Alberta, Canada. It is located in east-central Alberta, from the Saskatchewan border, near the crossroads of Highway 13 and Highway 881, in the Battle River Valley.- History :...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
to a huge tank farm in Patoka, IL
Patoka, Illinois
Patoka is a village in Marion County, Illinois, United States. The population was 633 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Patoka is located at ....
. From there there is distribution to a refinery in Wood River, Illinois
Wood River, Illinois
Wood River is a city in Madison County, Illinois, United States. The population was 11,296 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Wood River is located at ....
, as well as to the Cushing Hub.
In 2006, with production increases from Canadian oil sands, one pipeline reversed direction, bringing crude into the Cushing Hub, rather than delivering crude from Cushing to oil refineries.
The Enbridge’s Spearhead line connects Chicago and Cushing with a 125000 oilbbl/d pipeline.
Historically
In the early 20th century, Cushing was a center for exploration of and production from nearby oil fields. At least two refineries operated in the town. As the oil fields started to run dry, starting in the 1940s, production and refining became less important. However, the maze of pipelines and tanks that had been built led to the NYMEX choosing Cushing as the official delivery point for its light sweet crude futures contract in 1983.Education
The Cushing school district has seven schools that include a preschool, four elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. The district serves approximately 1,800 students.List of schools
- Cushing High School
- Cushing Middle School
- Deep Rock Elementary School
- Harmony Elementary School
- Harrison Elementary School
- Sunnyside Elementary School
- Wilson School
External links
- Cushing Chamber of Commerce
- Cushing Industrial Authority (economic development)
- Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture - Cushing
- Cushing High School History In Pictures
- Cushing High School Mid-Century Yearbook - Vivacity
- Pieces of Cushing HIgh School History
- Cushing High School Alumni Association (THE ONLY OFFICIAL CHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION WEBSITE)
- Cushing Public Schools
- KUSH Cushing High School Alumni
- Cushing 2009