Boley Historic District, National Historic Landmark district in Boley, Oklahoma, US.
Boley Historic District is a collection of early-1900s buildings spread across several downtown streets, featuring brick structures with period details typical of that era. The collection includes a bank building, churches, commercial spaces, and homes that form the core of the former town center.
The district began in 1903 when a railroad company established a workers' camp, which then grew into one of Oklahoma's largest African American communities. The growth happened rapidly in the decade that followed as Black entrepreneurs and families arrived to build lives in this newly forming town.
The district reflects how African Americans built their own businesses, churches, and community institutions during a time of strict racial separation. Walking through the streets, you see evidence of self-reliance and local pride in every structure.
You can walk through the district on your own at any time, with the main streets being easy to navigate and observe. Guided tours are available if you want more detailed information about specific buildings and their stories.
This was one of only thirteen all-Black towns established in Oklahoma, making it one of the rarest examples of African American self-governance in the early 1900s. The town's founding by Black entrepreneurs and subsequent development represent an unusual opportunity for Black community building during a period of widespread segregation.
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