Vinita

History

Vinita was founded in 1870 by Elias Cornelius Boudinot. In 1889, gunman and lawman Tom Threepersons was born there. It was the first city in the state with electricity. The city was first named "Downingville", and was a primarily Native American community. It was later renamed "Vinita" after Boudinot's friend, sculptor Vinnie Ream. The city was incorporated in Indian Territory in 1898. Vinita is along the path of the Texas Road cattle trail, and the later Jefferson Highway of the early National Trail System, both roughly along the route of U.S. Route 69 through Oklahoma today. The First National Bank opened in 1892, and the local Masonic Lodge was founded in 1894. Newspapers founded before the turn of the 20th Century included Vinita Indian Chieftain (1882), Vinita Leader (1885) and the Daily Indian Chieftain (1899). The Vinita Daily Journal began publication in 1907 and has continued into the 21st Century.

Geography

Vinita is located in northeastern Oklahoma, a region of the state known as Green Country. According to the Vinita Chamber of Commerce, the town is often called the "Crossroads to Green Country." It sits at the base of the Ozark Highlands topographical region in a mix of prairie and forest. It is located in southern Craig County. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land. Vinita is in a valley. Vinita is northeast of Tulsa and southwest of Joplin, Missouri, both via Interstate 44.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• VINITA ES
  Elementary · Vinita · 595 students · 15.7:1 ratio
• VINITA HS
  High · Vinita · 419 students · 18.2:1 ratio
• EWING HALSELL MS
  Middle · Vinita · 307 students · 17.1:1 ratio
• WHITE OAK PUBLIC SCHOOL
  Elementary · Vinita · 51 students · 12.8:1 ratio