Ardmore, Oklahoma 2025

Ardmore is a city in and the county seat of Carter County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 24,530 at the 2020 census. The city is situated about 95 miles (153 km) southwest of Oklahoma City. Ardmore is a part of the Ardmore Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Oklahoma City-Shawnee, OK, Combined Statistical Area.

The city of Ardmore was founded in 1889 and was named after the Ardmore, Pennsylvania. The city is inhabited mostly by people of European, African and Native American descent. With a strong sense of community and a thriving downtown, Ardmore has a rich cultural heritage. It boasts of a number of museums, art galleries, shops, and restaurants.

In the fall, Ardmore hosts an annual festival called "Feast of the Moon." On the town square, the event celebrates the area's Native American past with traditional foods, dances, and handicrafts. On the first Friday of each month, the downtown shops host an event called "First Friday" where they remain open late and offer products for sales and frequently provide food, live music, and extra amusements. Restaurants in the city serve a variety of foods, including Southern, Mexican, and American comfort foods. Ardmore is also well-known in the region as the home of the "Ardmore Swarm," a yearly motorcycle rally where both locals and tourists come together to show off their bikes and enjoy live music and food.

Local attractions in Ardmore include a recreated Indian village at the Greater Southwest Historical Museum located at 230 South Washington Street. The museum, housed in the old Rock Island Depot, exhibits a part of Native American art, antiques, and objects from local history. Every summer, the museum hosts the Greater Southwest Art and Music Festival. The Ardmore Public Library at 320 E Street Northeast, has a collection of almost 30,000 volumes. The Goddard Center, 401 First Avenue SW, serves as the local community theater and playhouse. The historic, Spanish Colonial Revival-style Santa Fe Depot at 702 E. Main Street, serves as a visitor information center and offers details about the city's rich Native American, African-American, and area oil history. The Caterer, OK, oil field, the wildlife, and the resort activities at Lake Murray State Park, are a few of the topics covered in the exhibit.

Ardmore has a population that is predominantly middle-class, with a sizable Native American and African-American Community. Many residents regularly participate in activities like rodeos, bull riding competitions, and traditional Native American dances. Residents of Ardmore are renowned for their friendliness and willingness to help newcomers feel at home. The median age in Ardmore is 34.3 and the median household income is around $35,000.

The National Register of Historic Places recognizes several places in Ardmore, including the Ardmore Historic District, the Greater Southwest Historical Museum, the Goddard Center, and the Santa Fe Railroad Depot. A Confederate memorial stands at the town square.

On January 18, 1918, Ardmore experienced a race riot that was sparked by racial conflict and the black travelers were turned away from all of the town's hotels. The local sheriff and his posse opened fire on and killed two black people who were hiding in a black-owned business. A white mob then destroyed most of the businesses along "Blue Street" (South Washington Street), including those that had no connection to the trouble. In 2018, race-related conflicts and stereotypes were discussed in the city by The Ardmore /mary Jo Nelson. The Greater Southwest Historical Museum has a display commemorating this tragic piece of Ardmore history.

The city is home to various industries including manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and tourism. Ardmore, Oklahoma, has a long history and is renowned for its compelling stories of the Native American and African American communities. Despite its difficulties, the city is now a thriving community that celebrates its past while simultaneously advancing into the future.