Lindsay is a rural community built on oil and agriculture
While Lindsay provides buyers with plenty of single-family residences and a downtown near the Washita River, the fortunes of this Central Oklahoma town are based on oil and agriculture. Established as a farming community, Lindsay continues to produce crops such as alfalfa and soybeans. When the city struck oil in the 1940s, this led to a boom in population. Oil and gas extraction is still prevalent, with multiple wells surrounding downtown and in wider Garvin County. However, the city maintains a tight-knit feel with amenities and outdoor attractions. “I know all my neighbors. It's in the heart of Oilfield County, so anything that I need made or built, I can get done. I don’t have to drive through a whole lot of traffic,” says William Belknap, the managing broker at Black Hat Realty LLC, who sells in the area. “It's very neighborly, would be the way I would put it, with the ability to do whatever. We're located about 45 miles from Norman, so if we need to go to the big city…[it's] within 40 to 45 minutes.”
Mix of single-family styles with low HOA presence
Homes include bungalows, ranch-styles and New Traditionals. Manufactured home communities are also present. The median housing price is $125,000, lower than state and national medians, but homes can start around $70,000 and go up to $400,000. Factors such as size and location can determine cost. Belknap notes that there are no homeowner associations.
Properties are typically on grid streets, with smaller lots and oak trees accenting lawns. Farmsteads and properties with more acreage are on Lindsay’s outskirts. Belknap notes that the locale has attracted workers, families and retirees. “We have a lot of people who have just moved in from California, Florida and Tennessee. Our housing is pretty affordable,” says Belknap.
Outdoor fun at Multiple parks, municipal golf and the Washita River
Shady Grove Park features a playground, pool and skate park. George Brown Park has fishing spots and a nature trail. Griffith Park, north of downtown, has multiple baseball diamonds. The public Lindsay Municipal Golf Course has a 9-hole, 3,200-yard layout. The Washita River runs south of downtown and has several fishing holes.
The historic Murray-Lindsay Mansion, built in the 1800s, was one of the largest homes in the Chickasaw Nation. It is open for guided tours. Events in Norman are 37 miles north, while Oklahoma City’s downtown entertainment is 53 miles north.
Lindsay Public Schools serves students
Students can attend Lindsay Public Schools, which is ranked B-plus on Niche. Pupils can start at Lindsay Elementary School and then continue to Lindsay Middle, both earning B grades. Lindsay High also has a B and offers extracurricular STEM courses.
Dining and shopping in downtown
Restaurants located off Cherokee Street and throughout downtown include a mix of chain and local spots. Casa 13 serves Mexican dishes. The Cadillac Ranch Restaurant & Saloon serves steak, seafood and has live music. Meat Locker BBQ serves pulled pork, brisket and chicken.
Downtown is home to boutiques and independent businesses. Grocery and big-box stores include Super C Mart, Walmart and Dollar General.
Flood and tornado risks are present
According to maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, downtown and the surrounding areas are at risk of flooding. Belknap says that Lindsay has been impacted by tornadoes in the past, but they usually pass to the north. He does note Lindsay can experience severe thunderstorms.
Local highways connect to Oklahoma City and the Interstate
Lindsay does not have any public transit connections and is car-dependent. Highway 76 leads to the outskirts of Oklahoma City, while the Interstate 35 entrance is east along Highway 19. Will Rogers International Airport is 46 miles north. Lindsay Municipal Hospital, located on Cherokee Street, has an emergency department.
Crime in Lindsay
The latest statistics from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation show that crime against people has remained steady while property crime has decreased.
