Beckham County is located in the western part of Oklahoma and is bordered by Roger Mills, Greer, Washita, Custer, and Roger Mills counties. The county seat is Sayre, which is located in the southern part of Beckham County. The terrain of the county is mostly flat with some rolling hills in the northwest corner. The average elevation of the county is 2,174 feet above sea level. The majority of the land in Beckham County is used for agricultural purposes and there are several small towns scattered throughout the county. According to gradphysics, the largest town in Beckham County is Sayre, which has a population of around 4,000 people.
The primary economic activity in Beckham County comes from farming and ranching. Major crops include wheat, corn, cotton and sorghum while cattle ranching drives much of the local economy. There are also several natural gas wells located throughout Beckham County which contribute to its overall economic activity.
Beckham County offers many recreational activities for those looking to explore its natural beauty or take advantage of its numerous fishing opportunities. Lake Sayre provides fishing opportunities for largemouth bass as well as crappie, catfish and bluegill while Lake Merritt offers excellent opportunities for catfish and paddleboats. Other popular outdoor activities include camping at one of several campgrounds located throughout the county or taking a scenic drive along one of its many highways and byways that offer breathtaking views of Oklahoma’s countryside.
School districts in Beckham County, Oklahoma
Beckham County is served by four school districts: Sayre Public Schools, Erick Public Schools, Sweetwater Public Schools, and Elk City Public Schools. Each school district is responsible for the education of the students in its area and provides a variety of programs and services to meet their needs.
Sayre Public Schools is the largest school district in Beckham County, serving over 1,800 students. It operates four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. The district also has a pre-K program that provides early learning opportunities to children from birth to age five. The curriculum at Sayre schools is aligned with Oklahoma State Standards and focuses on developing students’ problem-solving skills and critical thinking abilities.
Erick Public Schools serves around 400 students in grades K-12 in its two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The curriculum emphasizes building strong academic foundations while providing extracurricular activities such as athletics and arts programs. Sweetwater Public Schools serves around 500 students in grades K-12 with two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. This district focuses on providing a safe learning environment with engaging instruction that encourages student achievement.
Lastly, Elk City Public Schools serves around 1,200 students in grades K-12 with three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. This district offers a wide range of academic courses including advanced placement classes as well as career technical education programs such as welding technology or cosmetology. All of these districts provide special education services for children with disabilities or special needs so that they can reach their full potential.
Major schools in Beckham County, Oklahoma
Beckham County is home to several major schools that provide a quality education to students in the area. Sayre High School is the largest high school in the county, serving over 1,200 students in grades 9-12. The school offers a variety of academic courses as well as extracurricular activities such as band, choir, robotics, and athletics. Sayre High School also provides career and technical education courses such as welding technology and cosmetology.
Erick High School serves around 400 students in grades 9-12 with a focus on academic excellence and developing problem-solving skills. The school also offers extracurricular activities such as band, choir, athletics, and robotics. Sweetwater High School serves around 500 students in grades 9-12 with a curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking skills while providing extracurricular activities such as band, choir, robotics, athletics, and student council.
Elk City High School serves around 1,200 students in grades 9-12 with an emphasis on preparing students for college and career readiness through rigorous coursework and engaging instruction. The school provides several advanced placement classes as well as career technical education programs such as welding technology or cosmetology. Elk City also has a wide range of extracurricular activities including band, choir, robotics team, student council and more.
In addition to these high schools, there are several other schools located throughout Beckham County that provide quality education for children of all ages from pre-K through 12th grade including elementary schools like Erick Elementary School or Sweetwater Elementary School; middle schools like Erick Middle School or Sweetwater Middle School; alternative learning centers like Elk City Alternative Learning Center; special education centers like Elk City Special Education Center; vocational centers like Sayre Vocational Center; early childhood centers like Sweetwater Early Childhood Center; and adult education centers like Elk City Adult Education Center. All of these facilities provide comprehensive educational opportunities to meet the needs of all learners in Beckham County.
Notable people of Beckham County, Oklahoma
According to cheeroutdoor, Beckham County, Oklahoma is home to a variety of notable people who have made significant contributions to their communities. From athletes and entrepreneurs to politicians and philanthropists, these individuals have left their mark in the area.
One of the most famous people from Beckham County is wrestler Dusty Rhodes. Born Virgil Runnels, Dusty was a wrestling superstar in the 1970s and 80s. He won numerous championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007. He also spent time as a booker for WWE’s developmental territories, mentoring numerous wrestlers who went on to become stars themselves.
Another prominent figure from Beckham County is businessman T. Boone Pickens. Pickens made his name as an oil tycoon during the 1980s and 1990s, amassing a fortune estimated at more than $4 billion dollars at one point. He also became well known for his philanthropic activities, donating millions of dollars to causes such as helping veterans and fighting Alzheimer’s disease.
In addition to Rhodes and Pickens, Beckham County has produced several other successful individuals including former NFL player Barry Sanders, singer/songwriter Jimmy Webb, former U.S Senator Don Nickles, actor/director Robby Benson and astronaut Steve Lindsey. The county has also been home to a number of entrepreneurs such as Billie Sol Estes (oil & gas) and Charles Roff (air conditioning).
Finally, Beckham County has produced some inspiring public servants over the years including former Oklahoma governor Frank Keating; former Oklahoma attorney general Drew Edmondson; current Oklahoma attorney general Mike Hunter; current U.S Senator James Lankford; former U.S Congressman Tom Coburn; current U.S Congressman Markwayne Mullin; current Oklahoma State Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat; former state senator David Rader; current state representative Tammy West; current state representative Tom Gann; former state representative Fred Perryman III; current state auditor Cindy Byrd; former district attorney Randall Gossett Jr.; current district judge Curtis DeLapp Jr.; and many more local officials who have served their community with distinction over the years.