What is the history of Jenks, Oklahoma?
The town site of what would be Jenks was planned around two major railroads that were built between Tulsa, OklahomaTulsa and Muskogee, OklahomaMuskogee in 1904. The prospect of steamboat travel along the Arkansas River lured early settlers slightly further east than the actual site of the two railroads. The new town took its name from a director of one of the railroads who lived in Philadelphia. The discovery of oil in nearby Glenpool, OklahomaGlenpool in 1905 spurred development in Jenks. In 1906, oil tank farms were constructed near Jenks to store oil. The expensive tank farms increased the area property valuation and contributed considerable revenue to the Jenks school district. Although the Arkansas River was not used primarily for water transportation its role was significant as it related to river crossings. The first Jenks single lane bridge across the Arkansas River was built in 1910 to be replaced in 1948 with a two-lane bridge. In 1996 a four-lane bridge connected Jenks with
