Oak City, Utah
Encyclopedia
Oak City is a town in Millard County
, Utah
, United States
. The population was 650 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census
, the town has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.7 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 650 people, 167 households, and 140 families residing in the town. The population density
was 972.8 people per square mile (374.6/km²). There were 191 housing units at an average density of 285.9 per square mile (110.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.92% White, 0.46% Native American, 1.23% from other races
, and 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.54% of the population.
There were 167 households out of which 57.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 79.6% were married couples
living together, 3.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.6% were non-families. 15.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.89 and the average family size was 4.40.
In the town the population was spread out with 46.0% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 15.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 121.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $47,375, and the median income for a family was $53,750. Males had a median income of $41,667 versus $26,250 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $13,283. About 1.3% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.
. They had become discouraged after eight years of unsuccessful attempts to dam the Sevier River
to provide water for their crops, and had left the area. The early settlers were familiar with the Oak City area because they had pastured their cattle there in the spring and fall. They chose this area to settle because of the reliable creek and the quality of the land for farming.
The town was settled in two phases. The first phase took place in July 1868 and consisted of a few families and young men to survey the town site, clear the land for farming, and provide shelter for the coming winter. Twenty-three more families came in October and November of that year.
, was the search director's first choice for the atomic weapons laboratory. Maj. John Dudley of the Manhattan District Staff was assigned to survey the West and find potential sites for an atomic laboratory in October 1942. His first choice for the laboratory site was Oak City, Utah, according to the Los Alamos
history. "It was a delightful little oasis in south central Utah," Dudley wrote. "The railroad was only 16 miles away over a nice, easy road. The airport was not too distant. The water supply was good. It was surrounded by hills, and beyond there was mostly desert. However, I noticed one thing: If we took over this area we would evict several dozen families and we would also take a large amount of farm acreage out of production."
Because of the potential loss of farmland, Dudley recommended his second choice — Jemez Springs, New Mexico
. In the end, Dudley's choice was overruled by J. Robert Oppenheimer, a physicist and the scientific director of the Manhattan Project
. He favored Los Alamos.
. Following the ice cream social there is a program. There are also various competitions such as a Rook tournament. On Saturday a town lunch is prepared which feeds over 1000 people. Craft booths, kids games (including a children’s fish catch), as well as adult fun fill the day. The festivities end with a dance under the stars with music by the local band The Moonlighters.
Millard County, Utah
Millard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. In 2010, its population was 12,420. It was named for Millard Fillmore, thirteenth President of the United States. Its county seat is Fillmore and the largest city is Delta.-Geography:...
, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 650 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Oak City is located at 39°22′34"N 112°20′17"W (39.376089, -112.338017).According to the United States Census
United States Census
The United States Census is a decennial census mandated by the United States Constitution. The population is enumerated every 10 years and the results are used to allocate Congressional seats , electoral votes, and government program funding. The United States Census Bureau The United States Census...
, the town has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.7 km²), all of it land.
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 650 people, 167 households, and 140 families residing in the town. 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 972.8 people per square mile (374.6/km²). There were 191 housing units at an average density of 285.9 per square mile (110.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.92% White, 0.46% Native American, 1.23% 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 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.54% of the population.
There were 167 households out of which 57.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 79.6% 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, 3.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.6% were non-families. 15.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.89 and the average family size was 4.40.
In the town the population was spread out with 46.0% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 15.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 121.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $47,375, and the median income for a family was $53,750. Males had a median income of $41,667 versus $26,250 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 town was $13,283. About 1.3% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.
Founding
The settlement of Oak City was begun in late summer of 1868, when a few families moved there from the community of Deseret, UtahDeseret, Utah
Deseret is a census-designated place in Millard County, Utah, United States. The population was 353 at the 2010 census. Deseret is located about southwest of Delta, and about southwest of Salt Lake City. The name Deseret comes from the Book of Mormon.-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there...
. They had become discouraged after eight years of unsuccessful attempts to dam the Sevier River
Sevier River
The Sevier River , extending , is the longest Utah river entirely in the state and drains an extended chain of mountain farming valleys to the intermittent Sevier Lake...
to provide water for their crops, and had left the area. The early settlers were familiar with the Oak City area because they had pastured their cattle there in the spring and fall. They chose this area to settle because of the reliable creek and the quality of the land for farming.
The town was settled in two phases. The first phase took place in July 1868 and consisted of a few families and young men to survey the town site, clear the land for farming, and provide shelter for the coming winter. Twenty-three more families came in October and November of that year.
The A-Bomb Project
Oak City in Millard County, UtahMillard County, Utah
Millard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. In 2010, its population was 12,420. It was named for Millard Fillmore, thirteenth President of the United States. Its county seat is Fillmore and the largest city is Delta.-Geography:...
, was the search director's first choice for the atomic weapons laboratory. Maj. John Dudley of the Manhattan District Staff was assigned to survey the West and find potential sites for an atomic laboratory in October 1942. His first choice for the laboratory site was Oak City, Utah, according to the Los Alamos
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos National Laboratory is a United States Department of Energy national laboratory, managed and operated by Los Alamos National Security , located in Los Alamos, New Mexico...
history. "It was a delightful little oasis in south central Utah," Dudley wrote. "The railroad was only 16 miles away over a nice, easy road. The airport was not too distant. The water supply was good. It was surrounded by hills, and beyond there was mostly desert. However, I noticed one thing: If we took over this area we would evict several dozen families and we would also take a large amount of farm acreage out of production."
Because of the potential loss of farmland, Dudley recommended his second choice — Jemez Springs, New Mexico
Jemez Springs, New Mexico
Jemez Springs is a village in Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 375 at the 2000 census. Named for the nearby Pueblo of Jemez, the village is the site of Jemez State Monument and the headquarters of the Jemez Ranger District...
. In the end, Dudley's choice was overruled by J. Robert Oppenheimer, a physicist and the scientific director of the Manhattan Project
Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was a research and development program, led by the United States with participation from the United Kingdom and Canada, that produced the first atomic bomb during World War II. From 1942 to 1946, the project was under the direction of Major General Leslie Groves of the US Army...
. He favored Los Alamos.
Oak City Days
Oak City Days is held the third week of August every year when the citizens of Oak City host a two day event to celebrate the founding of the city. It has also been known as ward days and homecoming in the past. Oak City Days is kicked off with a parade on Friday evening followed by an ice cream socialIce cream social
An ice cream social, also known as an ice cream party, is a planned event, the primary focus of which is ice cream served to the guests. It is often a neighborhood event or welcoming party, normally held during the summer.-History:...
. Following the ice cream social there is a program. There are also various competitions such as a Rook tournament. On Saturday a town lunch is prepared which feeds over 1000 people. Craft booths, kids games (including a children’s fish catch), as well as adult fun fill the day. The festivities end with a dance under the stars with music by the local band The Moonlighters.
External links
- Deseret News Article
- Official Oak City Page - broken link
- more information