Texola is a town in Beckham County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 43 at the time of the 2020 census, an increase over the 36 figure from the 2010 census.
History
The History of Texola dates back to the early 1900s. Before being named Texola, the town site had been called Texokla and Texoma. Because of its location near the 100th Meridian, the town was surveyed eight different times, which meant that some early residents lived in both Texas and Oklahoma without ever moving. Texola was originally part of northern Greer County until Beckham County was formed after Oklahoma gained statehood in 1907. A post office was established in the community on December 12, 1901, with Reuben H. Grimes serving as the first postmaster. In 1902, the Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad (later owned by the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway) was built through the town. A weekly newspaper, the Texola Herald, began publishing in 1902 and continued to operate into the early 1920s. By 1909, Texola had two cotton gins as well as a corn and grist mill. The local economy was agriculturally based and several businesses opened in the community.
The 1910 census recorded 361 people living in Texola. That same year, a small Territorial Jail was built. After a slight decline in population during the 1910s, Texola grew rapidly in the 1920s. The population peaked at 581 in the 1930 census. The arrival of Route 66 (also known as 5th Street) had a positive impact on the local economy. Cotton production increased during the decade, necessitating the need for two additional gins. As the town prospered, amenities such as a ten-acre park and an auditorium capable of seating 300 people were found in the community.
A quirky roadside attraction in Texola is the One Room Jail. It was constructed in the late 1800s out of cinderblock, and consists of a single room with an iron-barred door and window. U.S. Route 66 passed through the town, bringing scores of travelers for decades, until I-40 was completed to the north in 1975.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Texola had a population of 43. The median age was 40.5 years. 20.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 14.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 152.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 142.9 males age 18 and over.
There were 20 households in Texola, of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 40.0% were married-couple households, 25.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 30.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 10.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
! Race !! Number !! Percent
|-
| White || 33 || 76.7%
|-
| Black or African American || 0 || 0.0%
|-
| American Indian and Alaska Native || 2 || 4.7%
|-
| Asian || 0 || 0.0%
|-
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 0 || 0.0%
|-
| Some other race || 3 || 7.0%
|-
| Two or more races || 5 || 11.6%
|-
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 5 || 11.6%
|}
2000 census
As of the census which is headquartered in the city of Erick. The district operates two campuses, an elementary school and a high school.