Tecumseh offers the best Oklahoma has to offer; small-town friendliness with big city conveniences just minutes away. Tecumseh is located at the intersection of US 177, US 270, and SH 9, approximately 40 miles east-southeast of Oklahoma City or 30 miles east of Norman, or 5 miles south of Shawnee.

History of the City of Tecumseh

The City of Tecumseh was born overnight when the townsite was rushed by settlers in an 1891 Land Run, one of only two ever done for individual towns. The tent city that sprang up was named in honor of the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, a famous Indian leader who fought with the British and died in the Battle of Thames in 1812.

Two Presbyterian missionaries held church services at the courthouse square on the first Sunday after the land rush, although a saloon had already been extablished as had a hardware store, a bakery and a sawmill. Schools were established in 1892 and 1896, and businessmen organized and built their railroad connecting with the Choctaw Railroad east of Shawnee.

Since Tecumseh was originally the county seat, a brick courthouse was built in 1897. But in 1930, Tecumseh lost the county seat status to Shawnee in a controversial election. The Tecumseh City Hall now stands on that historic spot. 

Population

• City of Tecumseh......................................6,500
• Pottawatomie County.................................65,521

Education

• Tecumseh has 6 primary and secondary schools with approximately 2,332 students and 275 staff, and 172 certified staff.
• Tecumseh has a Head Start and Early Head Start programs available.
• Tecumseh is located just minutes away to Higher Education. Oklahoma Baptist University is located just 6 miles north in Shawnee. Seminole State College is located 15 miles east of Tecumseh. Rose State College is located 30 miles north-west of Tecumseh. Oklahoma University is located 30 miles west of Tecumseh. Gordon Cooper Technology Center is located in Shawnee, just 8 miles north of Tecumseh, and is a leader in providing job training programs for business and industry.
• The Tecumseh Public Library is a member of the Pioneer Library System and located in the Tecumseh City Hall, 114 N. Broadway. They own over 20,000 books, periodicals, learning kits, audiobooks and DVDs with access to a physical collection of more than 700,000 items and over 50,000 downloadable items.

   

   

Churches

Tecumseh literally has a church on every corner, with just about every denomination represented. An active Tecumseh Ministerial Alliance provides help to those in need. 

Financial Institutions

Full service Banking and ATM Service
BancFirst...................... 405-598-3717

First United Bank......... 405-598-6521

ATM Service Only
Arvest Bank.................. 405-273-5000

Bison Federal Credit Union.....405-275-5014

Recreational Facilities

Tecumseh has access to numerous recreational facilities. Tecumseh City Lake offers fishing, boat ramp, and overnight camping for a small fee, contact the Lake Headquarters at 405-275-0022 for more information. The Lake Pavilion is open to the public and it's use is on a first come, first served basis.

Slick Humphrey Park offers tennis courts, volleyball court, softball fields, skate park, a paved walking trail, a pavilion with free lighting  at night, and a Splash Pad open during the Summer Season.

Charles R Martin Park has playground equipment and a walking trail.  Dora Carlton Park has playground equipment-including two inclusive seats to allow children with disabilities the opportunity to swing with a harness for added safety.

All facilities at the parks are open to the public and use is on a first come first served basis except for the softball fields which are locked; contact Tecumseh City Hall at 405-598-2188 for information on how to use the softball fields.

Just north of Tecumseh is Firelake Golf Course; a public 18 hole course featuring a driving range, putting green, miniature golf course and restaurant.

The Tecumseh Youth Sports Association features baseball, softball, football, and basketball. Approximately 500 children participate each year.

The City of Tecumseh provides an auditorium in City Hall for large groups for rent at a nominal fee. Contact Tecumseh City Hall at 405-598-3911 for information. 

Transportation

• Local Truck Line, Gilbert & Sons Trucking, with more than 10 others available to service the Tecumseh Area.
• Shawnee Regional Airport is 6 miles away and has a 6,000 foot lighted runway. ILS System FBO and hanger rentals available.
• Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) is 42 miles from Tecumseh. Air Cargo: Emery, Delta, American, Federal Express, UPS. Commercial Airlines: American, United, Southwest, Delta, Continental, Northwest, Reno, Western Pacific.
• Interstate Highways: Interstate 40, 8 miles north, Interstate 35, 30 miles west, Interstate 44, 42 miles north-west. 

Distance to Major Cities

• Atlanta, 812 Miles
• Chicago, 755 Miles
• Dallas, 248 Miles
• Denver, 652 Miles
• Houston, 491 Miles
• Kansas City, 317 Miles
• Los Angeles, 1,392 Miles
• Memphis, 437 Miles
• New Orleans, 635 Miles
• New York, 1,416 Miles
• Oklahoma City, 42 Miles
• San Francisco, 1,678 Miles
• Tulsa, 99 Miles

Open Records:

Records Requests are available at the cost of $0.25 per page. All Record Requests must be made in the City Clerk's office.