Bromide is a town in Coal and Johnston counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 123 as of the 2020 Census.
The area around Bromide was noted for its mineral springs, and the bromide content of the water gave the town its name. It was also noted for limestone quarrying and the potential to produce manganese. Proposals to promote economic growth from these assets never materialized.
History
Bromide was founded by Judge William H. Jackson, a former superintendent of the nearby Wapanucka Academy, who recognized the site near several mineral springs as a potential tourist attraction. The community was initially called "Juanita" (1905 - 1906), then "Zenobia" (1906 - 1907), before it was named "Bromide". It incorporated in July 1908. Juanita and Zenobia were the names of two of Jackson's daughters. The name "Bromide" was chosen because of the high content of bromine in the mineral water.
Before Oklahoma statehood, the townsite was part of the Chickasaw Nation. Native Americans were well acquainted with the mineral springs in the area. The Chickasaws called these Oka-Alichi (Medicine Water) or Hopi Kuli (Salt Springs), and believed that the waters had medicinal power, especially for "rheumatism, diseases of the stomach, kidney and bladder ailments, [and] nerve and skin problems". Oilman Robert Galbreath evidently thought this could become sufficiently profitable to be a worthwhile investment. However, the Great Depression put an end to the concept.
The nearby Wapanucka Academy site is listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NR72001065).
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Bromide had a population of 123. The median age was 48.2 years. 17.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 23.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 83.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.0 males age 18 and over.
There were 54 households in Bromide, of which 46.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 64.8% were married-couple households, 13.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 16.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 11.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
! Race !! Number !! Percent
|-
| White || 70 || 56.9%
|-
| Black or African American || 1 || 0.8%
|-
| American Indian and Alaska Native || 29 || 23.6%
|-
| Asian || 0 || 0.0%
|-
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 0 || 0.0%
|-
| Some other race || 5 || 4.1%
|-
| Two or more races || 18 || 14.6%
|-
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 15 || 12.2%
|}
2000 census
As of the census