Bromide

History

Bromide was founded by Judge William H. Jackson, a former superintendent of the nearby Wapanucka Academy, who recognized the site near several mineral springs as a potential tourist attraction. The community was initially called "Juanita" (1905 - 1906), then "Zenobia" (1906 - 1907), before it was named "Bromide". It incorporated in July 1908. Juanita and Zenobia were the names of two of Jackson's daughters. The name "Bromide" was chosen because of the high content of bromine in the mineral water. Before Oklahoma statehood, the townsite was part of the Chickasaw Nation. Native Americans were well acquainted with the mineral springs in the area. The Chickasaws called these Oka-Alichi (Medicine Water) or Hopi Kuli (Salt Springs), and believed that the waters had medicinal power, especially for "rheumatism, diseases of the stomach, kidney and bladder ailments, [and] nerve and skin problems". Oilman Robert Galbreath evidently thought this could become sufficiently profitable to be a worthwhile investment. However, the Great Depression put an end to the concept. The nearby Wapanucka Academy site is listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NR72001065).

Geography

Bromide is located in northeastern Johnston County and southwestern Coal County with the developed townsite mostly on the Johnston side of the county line. The town is by road northwest of Wapanucka and northeast of Tishomingo, the Johnston county seat. It is the same distance southwest of Coalgate, the Coal county seat. According to the United States Census Bureau, Bromide has an area of , all land.

Race & ethnicity