Located on the Oklahoma-Arkansas border, Delaware County takes pride in its lakes and recreation areas. Grove, situated on the northern edge of the Old Cherokee Nation, is a resort center for the eastern shore of Grand Lake, which covers 46,500 acres, and includes 1,300 miles of shoreline.
Cattle ranches are abundant, although the principal industry is tourism. Har-Ber Village, west of Grove, is a reconstructed, authentic village of the past. Honey Creek, a popular resort area just south of Grove, has all types of water sports, and excellent crappie fishing. Jay, the county seat of Delaware County, was named for Jay Washburn, the grandson of an early-day missionary. The principal industry is the raising and processing of chickens. Green beans and soybeans are raised throughout the area, as well as cattle. East of Jay is the Oak Hill Indian Center, where Cherokees weave blankets and other articles on hand looms.
Beck's Mill, northeast of the town of Kansas, supplied meal for whites and Indians, and was built in 1835. It was once used as a Union prison camp.
Annual events in Delaware County include the Pelican Festival held in Grove every autumn, and the Huckleberry Festival located in Jay during July.
For more county information, call the county clerk's office at 918/253-4520. County narrative provided courtesy of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries from the 2002-2004 Oklahoma Almanac.
| Population Totals | ||
| 2006 Estimate | 2000 Census | |
| Delaware | 40,061 | 37,800 |
| Median Age: | 40.8 | |
| Median Household Income: | $30,385(2004) | $27,996 |
County Government
County Seat- Jay
Court Clerk- Caroline Weaver, D, Jay
Clerk- Carol Fortner, R, Grove
Sheriff- Jay Blackfox, D, Kansas
Treasurer- Mary Jane Law, D, Jay
Assessor- Leon Hurt, D, Colcord
Election Board Secretary- Dixie Smith, D, Colcord
Commissioners:
District 1- Ken Crowder, D, Grove
District 2- Billy Cornell, D, Jay
District 3- Dave Kendrick, D, Colcord
