Oklahoma town holds history as one of original “All Black” towns

Small Oklahoma town holds wealthy history as one of state’s original ‘All Black’ towns

Some maintain a history like none different, together with the town of Boley, which is one of the state’s original ‘All Black’ towns.

Updated: 5:24 PM CST Feb 1, 2023

Oklahoma is dotted with small towns, with 700 of them having a inhabitants below 1,500 folks.Not all of them are the identical. Some maintain a history like none different, together with the town of Boley, which is one of the state’s original “All Black” towns.Boley is particular as a result of of the group. Everyone is aware of everybody, and the history dates again to earlier than Oklahoma was even Oklahoma.”Oh, my goodness. It’s the best place in the world to live, to grow,” mentioned Henrietta Hicks, a historian from Boley.Boley has a inhabitants of 1,091 and is 1.6 complete sq. miles.“Everybody thinks it’s the Boley Rodeo, but we like to say we are more than just a rodeo,” Hicks said.Boley is more than a rodeo. It is a town of history, founded in 1903.”It was kind of seen as a haven. It was seen as a town that would protect you from the Jim Crow and the segregation going on outside the town,” said Larry O’Dell, director of communications and development.The town was named after J.B. Boley, a man who worked on a railroad there.”He thought that African Americans could have a self-sustaining town, and that’s why it’s named Boley,” O’Dell said.The town was officially incorporated in 1905 as one of 50 “All Black Towns” in Oklahoma. It was marketed for former slaves to discover a house.”For security, for freedom, for justice, the suitable to vote, and all of the issues black people at the moment weren’t accustomed to in some states, in some components of the nation,” Hicks said.With their own water system, banks and cotton gins, the town was thriving and even became the agriculture hub for black farmers. By 1911, the town grew more than 4,000 citizens.”Boley was rising, Boley was blooming, and we had tons of success right here. Everything right here was accomplished by Black folks,” Hicks said.Hicks said that’s what makes it so special.”The Great Depression actually created an inflow of folks out of Oklahoma and out of Boley. They misplaced the railroad through the Depression, that actually damage,” O’Dell said.The railroad took with it jobs, money and people. Slowly, people are coming back.Boley is the largest and most well-known “All Black” town in Oklahoma and only one of 13 that still exists.”It has grown. It has had some rising pains. There has been some sorrow. There have been some disappointments, however we’re nonetheless right here,” Hicks said.They are still there and still fighting with the spirit of the community it was founded on.”The entire town is working in an effort to enhance Boley in each means we are able to,” Hicks said.Improvements include better roads and new buildings. Boley’s mayor is working with other mayors of Oklahoma’s former “All Black” towns to get funding.No matter what’s built, the history of the place won’t be washed away. A monument downtown marks the Boley Historic District, describing the dream the town was founded on.A dream from 120 years ago is still in their hearts today.”We need to hold this dream from 1903, we need to hold it not solely alive, however we wish it to thrive,” Hicks mentioned.Top HeadlinesFormer Oklahoma State soccer participant indicted on rape, kidnapping fees in OhioFirefighter rescued after falling via flooring whereas at OKC home fireplace, officers sayRichard Glossip’s spouse reacts to Oklahoma AG ordering evaluate of demise penalty case2023 soccer schedules launched for Oklahoma State, OUOU providing free admission to Bedlam basketball for followers prepared to soundly courageous winter climate