Name at least four towns in Oklahoma that were originally created as “all-Black towns.”
1. Langston: Located in Logan County, Langston was founded in 1890 and is the oldest historically African American municipality in Oklahoma. It was named after John Mercer Langston, a prominent African American abolitionist and civil rights leader.
2. Boley: Established in 1903, Boley is one of the most well-known all-Black towns in Oklahoma. It was originally named after J.B. Boley, a white railroad official who helped facilitate the settlement. Boley became a thriving community with successful businesses and institutions.
3. Clearview: Founded in 1912, Clearview is situated in Okfuskee County. It was established by a group of African Americans led by Aaron Goins, who purchased the land from Creek Indian allottees. Clearview thrived with a school, businesses, and benevolent societies.
4. Taft: Formed in 1905, Taft was named after President William Howard Taft. It was established by Booker T. Washington and his associates as part of the Burleson-Dickey Land Lottery, which distributed land to African American settlers. Taft had notable entrepreneurs and its economy relied largely on agriculture.
Note: There were more than 50 all-Black towns established in Oklahoma during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, so this list represents just a small fraction.