Midwest City, Oklahoma | |
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City | |
Motto: "Victory to Carl Albert" | |
Location in Oklahoma County and the state of Oklahoma. |
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Location in Canada | |
Coordinates: 35°27′44″N 97°23′3″W / 35.46222°N 97.38417°WCoordinates: 35°27′44″N 97°23′3″W / 35.46222°N 97.38417°W | |
place | United States |
State | Oklahoma |
County | Oklahoma |
Government | |
• Type | Mayor-Council |
• Mayor | Matthew Dukes |
Area | |
• Total | 24.6 sq mi (63.7 km2) |
• Land | 24.6 sq mi (63.7 km2) |
• Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
Elevation | 1,253 ft (382 m) |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 54,371 |
• Estimate (2015) | 57,249 |
• Density | 2,324.9/sq mi (897.8/km2) |
Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC−6) |
• Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC−5) |
ZIP codes | 73100-73199-73110 |
Area code | 405 |
FIPS code | 40-48350 |
GNIS feature ID | 1095384 |
Website | midwestcityok.org |
Midwest City is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 54,371, making it the eighth largest city in the state.
The city was developed in response to talk of an air field being located nearby and named for the Tinker Air Force Base's original designation as the Midwest Air Depot. The city suffered damage during two tornadoes, the first in May 1999 and the second on May 8, 2003.
W.P. "Bill" Atkinson bought land in the area that would become Midwest City after hearing speculation that an air field was going to be built nearby. The city, which was incorporated on March 11, 1943, was named for the air field's original designation as the Midwest Air Depot. When Major General Clarence L. Tinker of Pawhuska, Oklahoma became the first American general killed in World War II (June 7, 1942) near Wake Island, the airfield was renamed in his honor.
Seward Mott, the director of the Federal Housing Administration's Land Planning Division, helped design the city, gaining national print and broadcast attention, and it became a model for postwar community development. The city incorporated the Mishak community of Czech and German immigrants that had formed in what now is the southeast part of the city.
In 1947, returning veteran Nicholas Harroz opened Nick's Brett Drive Grocery, which later became Crest Discount Foods. Soon after its opening, Midwest City citizens opted for a charter-council-city manager form of government to better manage their rapid growth.
Midwest City's regional hospital was dedicated October 6, 1962, built with the use of bond money. Voters also approved the creation of a junior college district in 1968. Oscar Rose Junior College opened its doors to students in 1970 and is now known as Rose State College. The Heritage Park Mall opened in 1978 on North Air Depot and was a prime shopping area in the city for several decades. The first Sam's Club was opened in Midwest City on April 7, 1983.