Krebs is a city in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 2,083 at the time of the 2020 United States census, up 1.5% from the 2,053 reported at the 2010 census, which in turn was a slight increase from the 2,051 reported in 2000. Its nickname is "Little Italy." Krebs was founded before Oklahoma statehood as a coal-mining town in the Choctaw Nation of Indian Territory.

History

thumb|right|[[St. Joseph's Catholic Church (Krebs, Oklahoma)|St. Joseph's Catholic Church]]

A post office was established at Krebs, Indian Territory on February 10, 1886. At the time of its founding, Krebs was located in Tobucksy County, a part of the Moshulatubbee District of the Choctaw Nation. Krebs began as a coal-mining camp housing European immigrants who came to work coal mines in the surrounding area. Judge Krebs was born of mixed German and Choctaw ancestry in Winston County, Mississippi.

1892 mining explosion

An explosion in the Osage Coal & Mining Company’s No. 11 mine on January 7, 1892 killed about 100 workers and injured another 150, but mining continued to prosper. By 1895, there were 15 mines operating nearby. The first local of the United Mine Workers in Indian Territory was founded in the town in 1898.

Krebs had five newspapers at different times: Krebs Eagle, Krebs Cyclone, Krebs Banner, Krebs Advertiser, and The Oklahoma Miner. and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, as is Hokey’s Drugstore at 2 E. Washington Ave.

Also taking place in town was the Terrapin Derby, originated in 1929 when Mayor J.T. Sadler visited the Miller Brothers Shows in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Mayor Sadler brought the idea back to Krebs as a fundraising idea. The derby was a success, and enough money was raised to purchase a new truck for the city. Over the years the derby raised funds that provided vehicles and equipment for one of the finest volunteer fire departments in the region.

Krebs had an Italian Band that played in a double-decker bandstand in downtown Krebs. There were at least five bandstands between McAlester and Hartshorne that the band played at on weekends, providing entertainment for families from all over. Many families rode the street car to these sites for picnics and festivals.

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2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Krebs had a population of 2,083. The median age was 36.8 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 98.1 males age 18 and over.

There were 837 households in Krebs, of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 43.1% were married-couple households, 21.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

! Race !! Percent

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| White || 65.6%

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| Black or African American || 2.0%

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| American Indian and Alaska Native || 15.4%

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| Asian || 0.6%

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| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 0%

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| Some other race || 2.2%

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| Two or more races || 14.3%

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| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 7.2%

|}

2000 census

As of the census

See also

St. Joseph's Catholic Church

References

  • Spearman, Pat. "Krebs." Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture
  • "Oklahoma miner" newspaper hosted by the Gateway to Oklahoma History.
  • White, Kathryn Jenson. "Ciao Down in Oklahoma's Little Italy." Oklahoma Today. pp. 10 – 13. May-June 1986.