Goodwell is a town in Texas County, Oklahoma, United States. Goodwell is home to Oklahoma Panhandle State University.

History

In 1901, Goodwell was established as a switch along the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad. The switch was named Goodwell because a "good well" was found there. In 1903, Goodwell was established and celebrated its centennial in 2003.

In 1909, the Pan-Handle Agricultural Institute was established in Goodwell. Its name was changed to Panhandle Agricultural and Mechanical College (PAMC) in 1921, then to Oklahoma Panhandle State College of Agriculture and Applied Science in 1967, then to its current name of Oklahoma Panhandle State University in 1974.

The No Man's Land Museum was established in 1932 as a project of the science department at Panhandle Agricultural and Mechanical College. In 1933, the No Man's Land Historical Society was established and took control of the museum.

On June 24, 2012, two Union Pacific trains collided head-on and caught on fire about east of Goodwell. Three Union Pacific employees on the two trains died. One survivor of the crash escaped injury by leaping from the train when he saw a crash was imminent. The Union Pacific continues to provide rail freight service to the town.

Geography

Goodwell is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Goodwell has a cold semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Goodwell was on June 27, 2011, while the coldest temperature recorded was on January 4, 1959.

|source 2 = National Weather Service

Demographics

thumb|[[Oklahoma Panhandle State University, 2006]]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Goodwell had a population of 951. The median age was 22.6 years. 16.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 10.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 121.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 125.7 males age 18 and over.

There were 310 households in Goodwell, of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 41.9% were married-couple households, 24.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

! Race !! Number !! Percent

|-

| White || 664 || 69.8%

|-

| Black or African American || 88 || 9.3%

|-

| American Indian and Alaska Native || 31 || 3.3%

|-

| Asian || 15 || 1.6%

|-

| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 0 || 0.0%

|-

| Some other race || 68 || 7.2%

|-

| Two or more races || 85 || 8.9%

|-

| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 220 || 23.1%

|}

2010 census

As of the 2010 census Goodwell had a population of 1293. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 70.6% non-Hispanic white, 8.2% African American, 2.2% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Hawaiian Native, 3.1% reporting two or more races and 17.5% Hispanic or Latino.

2000 census

As of the census

See also

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Texas County, Oklahoma
  • Franklin Hall

References

  • Oklahoma Panhandle State University
  • No Man's Land Museum
  • Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture - Goodwell