View source for Ardmore, Oklahoma

{{Short description|City in Oklahoma, US}}
{{Other places|Ardmore (disambiguation)}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Ardmore, Oklahoma
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| image_skyline      = Ardmore_ok_dt1.jpg
| image_caption      = 
| image_seal         = ardokseal.png
| image_map          = OKMap-doton-Ardmore.PNG
| map_caption        = Location in the state of [[Oklahoma]]
| image_map1         = 
| map_caption1       = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|34|17|22|N|97|09|59|W|type:city_region:US-OK|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Oklahoma]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Oklahoma|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Carter County, Oklahoma|Carter]]
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = [[John Credle, Jr]]<ref>https://www.ardmorecity.org/147/City-Commission</ref>
| established_date   = 
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 134.06
| area_land_km2      = 129.06
| area_water_km2     = 5.00
| area_total_sq_mi   = 51.76
| area_land_sq_mi    = 49.83
| area_water_sq_mi   = 1.93
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 879
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_note    = 
| population_total   = 24725
| population_density_km2 = 191.58
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_est     = 
| population_density_sq_mi = 496.20
| timezone           = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset         = &minus;6
| timezone_DST       = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = &minus;6
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code        = 73401-73403
| area_code          = [[Area code 580|580]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 40-02600<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2409727<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2409727}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|www.ardmorecity.org}}
| population_footnotes = 
}}

'''Ardmore''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Carter County, Oklahoma]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011}}</ref> The population was 24,725 at the time of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/ardmorecityoklahoma |title=Ardmore (city), Oklahoma| publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=August 31, 2023}}</ref> a 1.8% increase over the 2010 census figure of 24,283.<ref name="ard2010pop">{{cite web | url = http://www.ardmoreite.com/homepage/x1705415312/Ardmore-s-population-grows-2-4-percent-in-last-10-years | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130117065204/http://www.ardmoreite.com/homepage/x1705415312/Ardmore-s-population-grows-2-4-percent-in-last-10-years | url-status = dead | archive-date = January 17, 2013 | title = Ardmore's Population Grows 2.4% in the Last 10 Years | access-date = March 12, 2011 }}</ref> The [[Ardmore micropolitan area]] had an estimated population of 48,491 in 2013.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2013/PEPANNGCT.US25PR| title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013 - United States -- Micropolitan Statistical Area (GCT-PEPANNRES)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=February 6, 2015| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212203510/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2013/PEPANNGCT.US25PR| archive-date=February 12, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref> Ardmore is {{convert|90|mi}} from both [[Oklahoma City]] and [[Dallas]]/[[Fort Worth, Texas]], at the junction of [[Interstate 35 in Oklahoma|Interstate 35]] and [[U.S. Route 70 in Oklahoma|U.S. Highway 70]], and is generally considered the hub of the 13-county region of [[South Central Oklahoma]], also known by state tourism pamphlets as "[[South Central Oklahoma|Chickasaw Country]]" and previously "Lake and Trail Country". It is also a part of the [[Texoma]] region.  Ardmore is situated about {{convert|9|mi|0}} south of the [[Arbuckle Mountains]] and is located at the eastern margin of the [[Mid-Continent oil province|Healdton Basin]], one of the most oil-rich regions of the United States.

==History==
[[File:ardmore ok5.jpg|thumb|left| Main and Washington streets, downtown Ardmore]]
Ardmore, [[Indian Territory]], began with a plowed ditch for a Main Street in the summer of 1887 in [[Pickens County, Chickasaw Nation]]. It owes much of its existence to the construction of the [[Santa Fe Railroad]] through the area during that time. It grew, as most frontier towns grew, over the years into a trading outpost for the region. A large fire in 1895 destroyed much of the fledgling town, which forced residents to rebuild nearly the entire town.<ref>Bamburg, Maxine. [http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/A/AR008.html "Ardmore"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916000642/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/A/AR008.html |date=September 16, 2009 }}, Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture (accessed February 5, 2010).</ref> In the early 1900s, Ardmore became well known for its abundance of [[cotton]]-growing fields and eventually became known as the world's largest inland cotton port.

The city found itself positioned next to one of the largest oil fields ever produced in Oklahoma, the [[Healdton, Oklahoma|Healdton]] Oil Field. After its discovery in 1913, entrepreneurs and wildcatters flooded the area, and [[Carter County, Oklahoma|Carter County]] quickly became the largest oil-producing county in Oklahoma, and has remained so ever since.<ref name="carteroil">{{cite web|url=http://www.occeweb.com/Divisions/OG/AnnualReports/2006%20Oil%20and%20Gas%20Report.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070306054252/http://www.occeweb.com/Divisions/OG/AnnualReports/2006%20Oil%20and%20Gas%20Report.pdf |archive-date=March 6, 2007 |title=2005 Oil & Gas Annual Report (charting oil production from 1975-2005), Oklahoma Corporation Commission (PDF) |access-date=May 1, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ardmore has remained an energy center for the region, with the region's natural wealth giving birth to such energy giants as the [[Noble Energy]] companies, among others. On September 27, 1915, a railroad car containing [[natural-gas condensate|casing gas]] exploded, killing 43 people, injuring many, and destroying much of downtown, including areas rebuilt after the 1895 fire.<ref>Burton, Laura M. "[http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/A/AR009.html Ardmore Gas Explosion] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630194522/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/A/AR009.html |date=2014-06-30 }}," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture (accessed February 5, 2010).</ref> The disaster, which made national news, gave residents the resolve to establish the city's first fire department to ensure that such events would not recur in the future. On April 22, 1966, Ardmore was the site of [[American Flyers Airline Flight 280/D|the worst plane crash in Oklahoma history]], which killed 83 people.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090107050851/http://www.airdisaster.com/cgi-bin/view_details.cgi?date=04221966&reg=N183H&airline=American+Flyers+Airline airdisaster.com]}}</ref> On May 7, 1995, an F3 tornado struck Ardmore, killing three people and injuring six others.<ref>{{Cite web |last=US Department of Commerce |first=NOAA |title=Ardmore, Oklahoma Tornadoes (1875-Present) |url=https://www.weather.gov/oun/tornadodata-city-ok-ardmore |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=www.weather.gov |language=EN-US}}</ref> On February 10, 2009, an [[2009 Lone Grove–Ardmore tornado|EF4 tornado]] destroyed several structures in and near the Majestic Hills neighborhood, just north of Ardmore.

===Sports===

Ardmore was home to [[minor league baseball]]. The [[Ardmore Cardinals]] was the primary name of Ardmore teams that played as members of the [[Texas League]] (1904), [[Texas-Oklahoma League]] (1911–1914), [[Western Association]] (1917), [[Texas-Oklahoma League]] (1921–1922), [[Western Association]] (1923), [[Oklahoma State League]] (1924),  Western Association (1924–1926), [[Sooner State League]] (1947–1957) and Texas League (1961). Ardmore captured league championships in 1923, 1925 and 1957. Ardmore was an affiliate of the [[Cleveland Indians]] (1947–1948), [[St. Louis Cardinals]] (1953–1957) and [[Baltimore Orioles]] (1961).{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

[[Baseball Hall of Fame]] inductee [[Carl Hubbell]] played for the [[Ardmore Bearcats]] in 1924, his first professional season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hubbel001car|title=Carl Hubbell Minor Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:ardmore ok p1.jpg|thumb|right|upright=2.75|Panorama looking east, downtown Ardmore]]
Ardmore is located in southeastern Carter County. It is bordered to the west by the city of [[Lone Grove, Oklahoma|Lone Grove]] and to the east by the town of [[Dickson, Oklahoma|Dickson]]. Via [[Interstate 35 in Oklahoma|Interstate 35]], which passes through the west side of Ardmore, [[Oklahoma City]] is {{convert|97|mi}} to the north, while [[Fort Worth, Texas]], is {{convert|103|mi}} to the south.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Ardmore has a total area of {{convert|134.1|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|129.2|km2|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|4.9|km2|order=flip}}, or 3.67%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US4002600| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Ardmore city, Oklahoma| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=February 6, 2015| archive-url=https://archive.today/20150210052158/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US4002600| archive-date=February 10, 2015| url-status=dead}}</ref>

Ardmore is located approximately {{convert|10|mi|0}} south of the [[Arbuckle Mountains|Arbuckles]], an ancient, eroded range spanning some {{convert|100|km|abbr=on|order=flip}} across southern Oklahoma. The geology is highly variegated within the area, with uplifted and folded ridges visible within the shoreline of some of the lakes surrounding Ardmore. The city of Ardmore has no intracity streams or rivers, but is part of the [[Washita River|Washita]] and [[Red River of the South|Red River]] watersheds, with two tributaries, Caddo and Hickory creeks, flanking the broad, low area in which Ardmore is situated. Ardmore is also {{convert|5|km|abbr=on|order=flip}} north of [[Lake Murray (Oklahoma)|Lake Murray]], an impoundment of the two arms of Anadarche Creek, which eventually flows into the western reaches of [[Lake Texoma]].

===Climate===
{{Weather box
|location = Ardmore, Oklahoma. Normals (1991-2020)

|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 83
|Feb record high F = 87
|Mar record high F = 92
|Apr record high F = 96
|May record high F = 97
|Jun record high F = 105
|Jul record high F = 109
|Aug record high F = 110
|Sep record high F = 107
|Oct record high F = 98
|Nov record high F = 87
|Dec record high F = 92
|year record high F= 110
|Jan high F = 53.7
|Feb high F = 58.1
|Mar high F = 66.8
|Apr high F = 75.0
|May high F = 82.1
|Jun high F = 89.8
|Jul high F = 95.3
|Aug high F = 95.0
|Sep high F = 87.0
|Oct high F = 77.2
|Nov high F = 65.2
|Dec high F = 55.4
|year high F=
|Jan mean F = 42.6
|Feb mean F = 47.6
|Mar mean F = 55.8
|Apr mean F = 64.2
|May mean F = 72.1
|Jun mean F = 80.3
|Jul mean F = 84.9
|Aug mean F = 84.5
|Sep mean F = 76.9
|Oct mean F = 65.8
|Nov mean F = 54.3
|Dec mean F = 45.0
|year mean F=
|Jan low F = 31.5
|Feb low F = 36.5
|Mar low F = 44.9
|Apr low F = 53.5
|May low F = 62.2
|Jun low F = 70.8
|Jul low F = 74.5
|Aug low F = 74.0
|Sep low F = 66.8
|Oct low F = 54.5
|Nov low F = 43.3
|Dec low F = 34.6
|year low F=
|Jan record low F = −4
|Feb record low F = 0
|Mar record low F = 6
|Apr record low F = 26
|May record low F = 37
|Jun record low F = 48
|Jul record low F = 58
|Aug record low F = 54
|Sep record low F = 43
|Oct record low F = 25
|Nov record low F = 13
|Dec record low F = 5
|year record low F= −4
|precipitation colour=green
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.84
|Feb precipitation inch = 2.21
|Mar precipitation inch = 2.81
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.28
|May precipitation inch = 5.72
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.58
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.49
|Aug precipitation inch = 2.67
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.60
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.86
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.37
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.60
|year precipitation inch=
|Jan snow inch = 0.8
|Feb snow inch = 0.7
|Mar snow inch = 0.1
|Apr snow inch = 0
|May snow inch = 0
|Jun snow inch = 0
|Jul snow inch = 0
|Aug snow inch = 0
|Sep snow inch = 0
|Oct snow inch = 0
|Nov snow inch = 0.1
|Dec snow inch = 1.0
|year snow inch=

|source 1 = Weatherbase.com <ref>{{cite web
| url =http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=32337&refer=
| title = Historical Weather for Ardmore, Oklahoma, United States}}</ref>

|source 2 = NOAA <ref name="NOAA">{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-monthly&timeframe=30&location=OK&station=USC00340292 |title= U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access |publisher=NCEI, NOAA |access-date=2025-07-31}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1900= 5681
|1910= 8618
|1920= 14181
|1930= 15741
|1940= 16886
|1950= 17890
|1960= 20184
|1970= 20881
|1980= 23689
|1990= 23079
|2000= 23711
|2010= 24283
|2020= 24725
|footnote=Sources:<ref name="GR2" /><ref name="2013 pop est">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2013/PEPANNRES/0400000US40.16200|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013 (PEPANNRES): Incorporated Places in Oklahoma|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder|access-date=February 6, 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150131180139/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2013/PEPANNRES/0400000US40.16200|archive-date=January 31, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Census1910">{{cite web|title=Population-Oklahoma|url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/36894832v3ch3.pdf|work=U.S. Census 1910|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=November 22, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Census1930">{{cite web|title=Population-Oklahoma|url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/03815512v1ch08.pdf|work=15th Census of the United States|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=November 27, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Census1960">{{cite web|title=Number of Inhabitants: Oklahoma|url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/37749197v1p38ch2.pdf|work=18th Census of the United States|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=November 22, 2013 }}{{dead link|date=October 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="Census1990">{{cite web|title=Oklahoma: Population and Housing Unit Counts|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-38.pdf|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=November 22, 2013}}</ref>
| align = right
| align-fn = center
}}

===2020 census===

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], Ardmore had a population of 24,725. The median age was 39.5 years. 23.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.6 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME%2CDP1_0021P%2CDP1_0024P%2CDP1_0025C%2CDP1_0049C%2CDP1_0045C%2CDP1_0069C%2CDP1_0073C%2CDP1_0125P%2CDP1_0126P%2CDP1_0129P%2CDP1_0133P%2CDP1_0137P%2CDP1_0138P%2CDP1_0139P%2CDP1_0141P%2CDP1_0142P%2CDP1_0143P%2CDP1_0145P%2CDP1_0146P%2CDP1_0147C%2CDP1_0148C%2CDP1_0149C%2CDP1_0156C%2CDP1_0157C%2CDP1_0158C%2CDP1_0159P%2CDP1_0160P&for=place%3A02600&in=state%3A40|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=January 13, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL"/>

86.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 13.4% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME%2CP2_002N%2CP2_003N&for=place%3A02600&in=state%3A40|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=January 13, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 9,941 households in Ardmore, of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 39.8% were married-couple households, 21.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 32.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 11,400 housing units, of which 12.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 57.2% were owner-occupied and 42.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 13.2%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census<ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N%2CP1_003N%2CP1_004N%2CP1_005N%2CP1_006N%2CP1_007N%2CP1_008N%2CP1_009N%2CP2_001N%2CP2_002N%2CH1_001N%2CH1_002N&for=place%3A02600&in=state%3A40|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=January 13, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>
! Race !! Percent
|-
| [[White Americans|White]] || 60.1%
|-
| [[African Americans|Black or African American]] || 9.2%
|-
| [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian and Alaska Native]] || 9.0%
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]] || 2.0%
|-
| [[Native Hawaiians|Native Hawaiian]] and [[Pacific Islander|Other Pacific Islander]] || 0.2%
|-
| Some other race || 5.8%
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races]] || 13.7%
|-
| ''[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race)'' || 10.7%
|}

===2010 census===

As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 24,283 people living in the city.<ref name="Census2010">{{cite web|title=2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL2.ST13&prodType=table |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=October 18, 2013 }}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>  The population density was {{convert|482.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 10,926 housing units at an average density of {{convert|222.4|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 73.02% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 11.27% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 8.78% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.99% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.55% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 4.37% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.70% of the population.

There were 9,646 households, out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 31.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 14.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.1% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 110.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,046, and the median income for a family was $37,758. Males had a median income of $28,685 versus $23,070 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $16,502. About 13.6% of families and 18.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 24.9% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.
==Economy==
Ardmore is the principal center of trade for a ten-county region in [[South Central Oklahoma]], with a retail pull factor of 1.7–1.9. Ardmore's major employers are [[Michelin]] [[North America]], with 1,900 employees, who announced its plan to close the tire building portion of the plant in 2025, and Mercy Hospital Ardmore, with 900 employees. Several hundred employees work for regional distribution centers for [[Best Buy]], [[Dollar Tree]] (Marietta) and [[Dollar General|Dollar General Stores]], among others. Until early 2009, Ardmore was also home to a large regional distribution center for the now-defunct retail electronics chain [[Circuit City]] and was also home to a 1-800-flowers call center. In 2010 Ardmore lost another technology company, IMTEC, which was purchased by 3M and moved away to California. The {{convert|85000|oilbbl/d|m3/d|abbr=on}} [[Valero Energy Corporation|Valero]] [[Oil refinery|refinery]] in northeast Ardmore employs some 250 area residents. Ardmore is also home to the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, among the nation's 50 largest private foundations, primarily engaged in [[agricultural biotechnology|agricultural bioresearch]] activities. In 2001, [[East Jordan Iron Works]] opened a foundry located at the Ardmore Industrial Airpark. On September 24, 2020, [[Oklahoma Blood Institute]] opened one of the largest blood donation facilities in the state in Oklahoma.

==Arts and culture==
[[File:ardmore ok4.jpg|thumb|right|Central Park, view towards historic bandstand, downtown Ardmore]]
[[File:ardmore ok7.jpg|thumb|right|Charles B. Goddard Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, downtown Ardmore]]
Amenities include:
* Ardmore Civic Auditorium, a historic city building that hosts concerts and other local events
* Hardy Murphy Coliseum, historic WPA-built facility that hosts [[rodeo]]s, cutting shows and various regional events

The Ardmore Masonic Lodge is one of the oldest civic organizations in Ardmore.

The movies ''[[Dillinger (1973 film)|Dillinger]]'' (1973) and ''[[Fast Charlie... the Moonbeam Rider]]'' (1979) were partially filmed in Ardmore.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://tulsaworld.com/entertainment/movies/before-killers-of-the-flower-moon-premiere-here-are-55-other-shot-in-oklahoma-films/article_37eb0eda-ec54-11ed-84b1-035e3aff0e83.html |title=Before 'Killers of the Flower Moon' premiere, here are 55 other shot-in-Oklahoma films|publisher=Jimmie Tramel, Tulsa World, May 13, 2023|accessdate=May 15, 2023}}</ref>

==Education==

===Colleges and universities===
Ardmore is home to the [[University Center of Southern Oklahoma]] (a consortium-model system of [[higher education]]) which offers courses and [[Academic degree|degrees]] to the local population from four participating [[Institution of higher education|institutions of higher education]]:  [[Murray State College]], [[Southeastern Oklahoma State University]], [[East Central University]] and [[Oklahoma State University]] (from the [[Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City|Oklahoma City campus]]).

===Primary and secondary schools===
[[Ardmore City Schools]], Plainview Public Schools, and the Ardmore Christian School operate public schools in Ardmore.

Ardmore-Oak Hall Episcopal School is one of only three Episcopal diocesan schools in the state of Oklahoma {{citation needed|date=October 2021}}.

[[Southern Oklahoma Technology Center|CareerTech]] has a campus in Ardmore.

==Media==
[[File:Tucker Tower.jpg|thumb|right|Tucker's Tower, on the eastern shore of Lake Murray, which borders the southern city limits of Ardmore]]

===Newspaper===
* ''The Daily Ardmoreite'', local newspaper since 1893.

===Television===
* [[KTEN]] – Channel 10 (NBC)
* [[KTEN]] – DT Channel 10-2 (The CW Texoma)
* [[KTEN]] – DT Channel 10-3 (ABC)
* [[KXII]] – Channel 12 (CBS)
* [[KXII]] – DT Channel 12-2 (My Texoma)
* [[KXII]] – DT Channel 12-3 (FOX Texoma)
* [[K36KE-D]] – DT Channel 36 (PBS OETA)

===Radio===
'''AM'''
* [[KVSO]] – 1240 on the radio dial

'''FM'''
* [[KLCU]] – 90.3 (Public/NPR – Cameron University, Lawton)
* [[KFXI]] – 92.1 (Country)
* [[KTRX]] – 92.7 (Classic Rock)
* [[KKAJ]] – 95.7 (Country)
* [[KICM]] – 97.7 (Country)
* [[KYNZ]] – 107.1 (Oldies)

==Transportation==
[[File:ardmore ok6.jpg|thumb|right|Historic Santa Fe Rail Station and adjacent track yard. This facility serves as the Amtrak station for Ardmore on the ''[[Heartland Flyer]]'' route.]]

===Highways===
[[Interstate 35 in Oklahoma|Interstate 35]] passes through the western side of Ardmore, as it traverses the United States from [[Duluth, Minnesota]], to [[Laredo, Texas]].

Ardmore has four exits off [[Interstate 35|I-35]]:
* Exit 29 ([[U.S. Route 70 in Oklahoma|US-70]] east)
* Exits 31A-B ([[Oklahoma State Highway 199|State Highway 199]] east/U.S. 70 west, respectively)
* Exit 32 (12th St NW)
* Exit 33 ([[Oklahoma State Highway 142|State Highway 142]]).

Ardmore is also home to the junction of US-70 and [[U.S. Route 77 in Oklahoma|US-77]], SH-142 and SH-199. Ardmore is connected to [[Lake Murray (Oklahoma)|Lake Murray]] via [[State Highway 77S (Oklahoma)|State Highway 77S]].

===Airports===
Ardmore has two general aviation airports, [[Ardmore Downtown Executive Airport]] and [[Ardmore Municipal Airport]]. In the early 1950s, commercial air transportation was provided to the Municipal Airport by [[Central Airlines]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/cn2/cn5006/|title=Central Airlines, Effective June 5, 1950|publisher=Timetableimages.com|access-date=October 1, 2020}}</ref>  Currently, the nearest scheduled air service is available at [[Will Rogers World Airport]] in [[Oklahoma City]] and [[Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport]], {{convert|99|mi}} north and {{convert|95|mi}} south of Ardmore, respectively. Ardmore is linked by rail with the DFW Airport via the ''[[Heartland Flyer]]'' to [[TexRail]] connection.

===Rail===
Ardmore has one principal rail line,<ref name="bnsfmap">{{cite web | url = http://www.bnsf.com/tools/reference/division_maps/div_tx.pdf | title = Rail Network Map, BNSF Texas Operating Region, 2005 (PDF) | access-date = July 5, 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070711020716/http://www.bnsf.com/tools/reference/division_maps/div_tx.pdf | archive-date = July 11, 2007 }}</ref> that being one of the [[Burlington Northern Santa Fe]] mainlines running from [[Fort Worth, Texas]] to [[Oklahoma City]] (also connecting with [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]] and [[Chicago]]), being the route of the current Heartland Flyer passenger rail service. This line was formerly part of the [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe]] rail network before the merger with [[Burlington Northern]]. The line dates back to 1887, and the first train arrived on July 28 in that year.<ref name="ardhist">{{cite web | url = http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos5a/CoeArdmoreHistory.doc | title = Events in the Early History of Ardmore, Oklahoma | access-date = July 5, 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070711020716/http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos5a/CoeArdmoreHistory.doc| archive-date= July 11, 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> The company has multiple parallel tracks (5+) running through central Ardmore (MP 450.5), added concomitantly with the rise of the trading status of the city and region throughout the early 1900s. There is also a lightly used transverse rail spur from the BNSF line to the [[Michelin]] tire plant in west Ardmore, mainly intended for the transport of raw materials to the factory.  BNSF has given Site Certification to the Ameripointe Logistics Park in Ardmore, meaning the railroad has identified the location as an optimal rail-served site meeting ten economic development criteria, intended to minimize development risks customers may face.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.bnsf.com/ship-with-bnsf/rail-development/certified-sites.page |title=Certified Sites|publisher=BNSF Railway|accessdate=September 23, 2021}}</ref>

===Mass transit===
The historic Santa Fe depot in downtown Ardmore is also [[Ardmore, Oklahoma (Amtrak station)|a stop]] on Amtrak's ''[[Heartland Flyer]]'' train route, with daily service to and from Oklahoma City and Fort Worth.

Ardmore also has a scheduled stop on the [[Greyhound Lines|Greyhound]]/[[Jefferson Lines|Jefferson Bus Lines]] system.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-stations-in-oklahoma| title=Greyhound Bus Stations in Oklahoma|publisher=Greyhound|access-date=January 10, 2021}}</ref>

''Southern Oklahoma Rural Transportation System'' (SORTS) began operations in 1985, and offers full services to the four counties of [[Bryan County, Oklahoma|Bryan]], [[Carter County, Oklahoma|Carter]], [[Coal County, Oklahoma|Coal]] and [[Love County, Oklahoma|Love]].  The program currently offers demand response services with contract transportation provided for work routes, medical routes and rural routes meeting the needs of the entire area.

Early on, Ardmore had streetcars.<ref name=Trolley>{{cite book |last=Chandler|first=Allison|date=1980 |title= When Oklahoma Took the Trolley|publisher= Interurbans|pages=73–76|isbn=0-916374-35-1}}</ref>  The '''Ardmore Traction Company''' was organized in the Fall of 1905.<ref name=Trolley/>  It had pretentions of building all the way to [[Springer, Oklahoma]], about 7 miles, but had a much smaller system operational around town by January 1, 1906.<ref name=Trolley/><ref>{{cite web|url= https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc862892/m1/164/ |title= Electric Traction Proposals in Oklahoma, p. 154|publisher=The Railroads in Oklahoma (accessed on Oklahoma Historical Society) |accessdate=June 28, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc862892/m1/110/ |title= Electric Traction Promotion in Oklahoma, p. 100|publisher=The Railroads in Oklahoma (accessed on Oklahoma Historical Society) |accessdate=June 28, 2024}}</ref>  In January 1908 it built an additional 3 miles to the company-owned Lorena Park.<ref name=Trolley/>  But the company was in receivership by early 1910,<ref name=Trolley/> when the system consisted of 4.7 miles of tracks in operation, 2 new single truck cars, 2 double truck cars, a convertible car, a summer car, and the amusement park.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://libraryarchives.metro.net/dpgtl/ERJ/erj-electric-railway-journal/1910-erj-volume-35-no-12-march-19.pdf |title=Ardmore (Okla.) Traction Company|publisher= Electric Railway Journal, March 19, 1910, p.507-508|accessdate=June 28, 2024}}</ref> At some point it changed names to the '''Ardmore Electric Railway''', and reorganizing again in 1916, ending up as the '''Ardmore Railway Company'''.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.chicagorailfan.com/aatok2.html|title=Transit Systems in Oklahoma|publisher=ChicagoRailFan|accessdate=September 29, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=q6RMAAAAYAAJ&dq=%22Ardmore+Electric+Rail%22&pg=PA1204|title= Ardmore (Okla.) Railway|date= 1916|accessdate= September 29, 2024}}</ref>  By August 1918, the system was down to 4 cars and 3.37 miles of track.<ref name=Trolley/>  [[World War I]] gave the system a brief boom, but by 1920 it was losing $100-$400/month.<ref name=Trolley/>  Abandonment was requested and granted in 1922.<ref name=Trolley/><ref name=Ardmore>{{cite web|url= https://www.oklahomahistory.net/newsletters/TT1065.htm |title= A Glimpse Into the Past|publisher=Sally Gray, Territory Town, the Ardmore Story, 2006 (accessed on OklahomaHistory.net)|accessdate=June 28, 2024}}</ref>  The tracks were removed in the 1930’s as a [[Works Progress Administration|WPA]] project.<ref name=Ardmore/>

===Historic buildings===
{{main|National Register of Historic Places listings in Carter County, Oklahoma}}

The following are still present in Ardmore:
*[[Ardmore Carnegie Library]]
*[[Ardmore Historic Commercial District]].  Ardmore also has the Ardmore Main Street Authority, one of the various [[List of Main Street Programs in the United States|Main Street programs]] which act in the interests of commercial district revitalization.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.ardmoremainstreet.com/our-program/| title=About Us| publisher=Ardmore Main Street| access-date=February 22, 2020| archive-date=February 21, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221195447/http://www.ardmoremainstreet.com/our-program/| url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Ardmore Municipal Auditorium
*[[Black Theater of Ardmore]]
*Carter County Courthouse
*Central Park Bandstand
*Dornick Hills Country Club
*Douglas High School Auditorium
*Dunbar School
*Galt-Franklin Home
*Hardy Murphy Coliseum
*Johnson Home
*[[Lake Murray State Park]]
*Oklahoma, New Mexico and Pacific Railroad Depot
*Sayre-Mann House
*Turner House

The NRHP-listed [[Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad]] Viaduct, previously in Ardmore, has been demolished.  The Brady Cabin is given as 38 miles northwest of Ardmore.

==Notable people==
* [[Thomas Benson (American football)|Thomas Benson]], linebacker for the [[Oakland Raiders|Los Angeles Raiders]] and three other NFL teams
* [[Justin Blackmon]], former [[wide receiver]] for Plainview High School, the [[Oklahoma State Cowboys football|Oklahoma State Cowboys]], and the [[Jacksonville Jaguars]]
* [[Terry Cline]] Ph.D., former [[Oklahoma]] Health and Human Services Commissioner, former head of United States [[Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration]]; born in Ardmore in 1958.
* [[Charles Coe]], two-time U.S. Amateur golf champion, World War II combat pilot
* [[Eric Fields]] (b. June 14, 1982), professional boxer
* [[Mark Gastineau]], former All-Pro [[NFL]] defensive star for [[New York Jets]], born in Ardmore in 1956<ref name="gastineau">{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2473406/ |title=IMDB: Mark Gastineau |website=[[IMDb]] |access-date=March 26, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214132739/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2473406/|archive-date=February 14, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Sylvan Goldman]], inventor of the shopping cart; born in Ardmore in 1898.
* [[Jermaine Gresham]], former [[tight end]] for Ardmore High School, the [[Oklahoma Sooners football|Oklahoma Sooners]], and the [[Cincinnati Bengals]] and [[Arizona Cardinals]]
* [[Jake L. Hamon Sr.]], oil millionaire and murder victim
* [[John Hinckley Jr.]], man who shot former President [[Ronald Reagan]] in failed assassination attempt in 1981; Hinckley's father worked for a local oil company
* [[Columbus Marion Joiner]], father of [[East Texas Oil Field]] of 1930s, resided in and about Ardmore from 1897 to 1926<ref>{{cite web|url=http://oilpro.com/post/3864/the-dad-of-east-texas-oil-the-story-of-columbus-marion-joiner|title=The "Dad" Of East Texas Oil – The Story of Columbus Marion Joiner|publisher=oilpro.com|author=Jeff Reed|date=2014|access-date=February 10, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211011358/http://oilpro.com/post/3864/the-dad-of-east-texas-oil-the-story-of-columbus-marion-joiner|archive-date=February 11, 2015}}</ref>
* [[Terence C. Kern]], United States District Judge ([[United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma|Northern District of Oklahoma]])
* [[Walt Lamb]], football player<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.profootballarchives.com/lamb01000.html |title=WALT LAMB |publisher=profootballarchives.com |access-date=October 29, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909231855/http://www.profootballarchives.com/lamb01000.html |archive-date=September 9, 2015 }}</ref>
* [[B. P. Loughridge]], the first Ardmore High School graduate to become a Fulbright scholar; became a cardiovascular surgeon, author, and health care consultant in [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]]
* [[Rue McClanahan]] (1934-2010), [[Emmy Award]]-winning actress, grew up in Ardmore and graduated from Ardmore High School
* [[Mazola McKerson]] (1921-2014), first African American mayor of the city, first female mayor of a city of more than 30,000 in the US
* [[Joe McQueen]] (1919–2019), jazz musician, was raised in Ardmore
* [[Tessie Mobley]] (1906 – 1990) an operatic soprano.
* [[Samuel Lloyd Noble]] (1896–1950), oilman and [[philanthropy|philanthropist]], founder of [[Noble Corporation]]<ref name="Oklahoma Historical Society">{{cite web |url=http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/N/NO004.html |title=NOBLE, SAMUEL LLOYD (1896–1950) |access-date=October 28, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100730213851/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/N/NO004.html |archive-date=July 30, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Mike Pouncey]], [[center (gridiron football)|center]] for the [[Miami Dolphins]], born in Ardmore in 1989; his twin brother is [[Maurkice Pouncey]], center for the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]
* [[Rex Ryan]], [[National Football League|NFL]] head coach for [[Buffalo Bills]] and [[New York Jets]], born in Ardmore in 1962; his twin brother is pro football coach [[Rob Ryan]]
* [[Russ Saunders]], former [[Fullback (gridiron football)|fullback]] for [[Green Bay Packers]]
*[[Michael Schwab (designer)]] (born 1952), American graphic designer and illustrator.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Michael Schwab|url=https://www.graphis.com/bio/2/michael-schwab-1/|access-date=January 2, 2021|website=Graphis magazine}}</ref>
* [[Sallie Lewis Stephens Sturgeon]] ({{Circa|1870}}–1955), journalist, public health inspector, and social worker<ref name=":22">{{Cite book |last=Brown |first=Opal Hartsell |title=Indomitable Oklahoma Women |date=1994 |publisher=Oklahoma Heritage Association |isbn=978-0-86546-088-1 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Tom Tipps]], Oklahoma businessman and legislator
* [[Mauree Turner]], Oklahoma politician
* [[Carolyn Warner]], Arizona politician
* [[Cameron Todd Willingham]] (1968–2004), convicted of triple murder and arson; executed

==See also==
* [[List of oil refineries]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.ardmorecity.org/|City of Ardmore official website}}

===Sister projects===
*{{Commons category-inline}}
*{{wikivoyage inline|Ardmore (Oklahoma)|Ardmore, Oklahoma}}
*{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Ardmore |short=x}}

{{Carter County, Oklahoma}}
{{Oklahoma county seats}}
{{NRHP in Carter County, Oklahoma}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Ardmore, Oklahoma| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Cities in Carter County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:County seats in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Ardmore micropolitan area]]
[[Category:1887 establishments in Indian Territory]]