In 1902, the original Kaw City was founded, prior to Oklahoma statehood, as a farming community in the fertile oxbow bend of the Arkansas River. Kaw City was across the river from the Kaw Indian reservation and the Kaw Agency. By statehood in 1907, it had 486 inhabitants. Although the original town site is now inundated by the waters of Kaw Lake, the old town was quite a busy place. It became a booming oil town in 1919, when 'black gold' was discovered in nearby Kay County and the present Osage Nation reservation. The population jumped from 627 in 1920 to 1,001 in 1930. It even had a very popular four-story hotel filled with one of the world's rarest art collections. Laura A. Clubb, owner of the collection and wife of a local rancher, later donated her collection to Philbrook Art Museum. The majority of the town was overcome by a flood in 1923, and then devastated again by the Great Depression. In the late 1960s, the Army Corps of Engineers constructed Kaw Dam on the Arkansas River just south of the original Kaw City site. It then went underwater permanently in 1976, when the gates of the Kaw Dam closed and turned that particular area of the Arkansas River into Kaw Lake. Many buildings in Kaw City, including the old Santa Fe Railroad Depot which is now the Kaw City Museum, were moved to the town's present location, on high ground near the lake. When the water in the lake is exceptionally low, some of the foundations of the old structures can still be seen just above the water. The Kaw City Cemetery were also moved and given a separate section within Ponca City's IOOF cemetery, west of Conoco just south of Highway 60. The Kaw Indian cemetery located across the Arkansas river in Washunga was moved to Newkirk, Oklahoma. Kaw City remains near Kaw Lake, and tourism is the major industry. The town has many retirees and part-time residents who take advantage of the recreational opportunities.
Geography
Kaw City is located on a peninsula extending into the Kaw Lake impoundment of the Arkansas River. Washunga lies to the north across the lake. Oklahoma State Highway 11 passes through the community. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which, of it is land and of it is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 372 people, 159 households, and 109 families residing in the city. The population density was 137.9 people per square mile. There were 210 housing units at an average density of 77.8 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 77.96% White, 0.27% African American, 20.16% Native American, 0.54% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.23% of the population. There were 159 households, out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.82. In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.9% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 74.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.6 males. The median income for a household in the city was $26,146, and the median income for a family was $31,042. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $17,917 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,091. About 9.3% of families and 12.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 21.9% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and Culture
The Kaw City Museum is housed in the town’s 1902 train depot, and has exhibits relating to the history of the area. The Kanza Museum and Education Resource Center showcases tribal art and historical artifacts of the Kaw Nation. As to outdoor art, the Consultant of the SouthWind Statue is on the north side of SH-11, on the west side of Kaw Tribal headquarters; the Deer Jumping Fence Sculpture is on the south side of SH-11, near City Hall. The First United Methodist Church is known for its large stained glass windows, oil paintings, and a Kilgren Pipe Organ; available by appointment.
Government
The headquarters of the Kaw Nation is located in Kaw City.
