Page Contents for Hydro, Oklahoma

Statistics & Facts

Location

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Historical Events

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Oklahoma state capital is Oklahoma City.
The population of Hydro is approximately 1,043 (2004), 969 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 473 (1990), 386 (2010).
The amount of land area in Hydro is 1.568 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Hydro is 0.6 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from Hydro to Washington DC is 1244 miles.
The distance to the Oklahoma state capital is 60 miles. (as the crow flies)
Hydro is positioned 35.54 degrees north of the equator and 98.57 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Hydro elevation is 1,557 feet above sea level.
Hydro median income is $ 27,235 (2000).
The Hydro median home price is $ 46,100 (2000).

Location

in central Oklahoma. Other nearby communities include Weatherford, Bridgeport, Colony, Hinton, Eakly, Thomas, Corn and Greenfield.
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History & History Related Items

Hydro’s name came from its abundant supply of good well water. It was founded in 1901 mainly as an agricultural center, but as Route 66 came through the town, it began to boom.

Learn about Lucille Hamons and her role as the Mother of the Mother Road.
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Attractions

A number of old Route 66 businesses may be found in Hydro. The Route 66 Soda Fountain and the Graffiti Grill and the Johnson Peanut Company are a few of them
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Hydro Historical Events

2000, August 18
Lucille Hamons died on this date. She was the long-time owner of the now famous gas station and auto court. The station is a half mile southwest of Hydro where Route 66 skirts the southern edge of Hydro. The station was built in 1927 by Carl Ditmore. Carl and Lucille Hamons bought the business in 1941. Unfortunately, with the outbreak of World War II right after their purchase, business didn’t exactly boom. While Carl left home to find work hauling hay, Lucille stayed with the station to pump gas, fix cars and take care of flat tires for motorists. She also took care of the seven cabins in the auto court in addition to raising her three children. The wash for both family and business was first done in an old wringer washer. The family also made their home above the business which allowed her more access to work as she took care of her family.

Carl died on 31 Jan 1971 but Lucille didn’t sit still for long. She began to run the business herself. It was quite a struggle at times after I-40 was built and Route 66 de-commissioned. But she stuck with it, not wanting to abandon all the motorists she had helped through the years.

Finally her longevity paid off in the revival of Route 66 interest during the 1990’s. During this time she received the nickname of "The Mother of the Mother Road." The station was included on the National Registry of Historic Places in July 1997. She also received the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame Award in 1999. Not one to shirk her duty, Lucille worked at the station until the day she died on 18 August 2000. She had run the station for 59 years. Many still remember her from their Route 66 travels. Hydro

Miscellany

The population of Hydro was:
1990 - 977
2000 - 1,060
2004 - 1,043