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By Darius Spearman (africanelements)
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KEY TAKEAWAYS |
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Due to rising oppression, many residents migrated to the West, Canada, and Mexico. |
Over 50 all-black towns were founded in Oklahoma between 1865 and 1920. |
These towns provided economic opportunities and a refuge from racial violence. |
Jim Crow laws enacted in 1907 led to the decline of these communities. |
Many residents migrated to the West, Canada, and Mexico due to rising oppression. |
The legacy of these towns highlights the resilience of African-American self-determination. |
The Forgotten Legacy of Oklahoma’s All-Black Towns: A Hidden Chapter in African-American History
The creation of all-black towns in Oklahoma shows African Americans’ incredible spirit despite facing oppression. This often-overlooked part of history is closely tied to the Trail of Tears, a time when Native American tribes and their African American slaves were forced to relocate to Indian Territory. After the Civil War, these former slaves, called “Freedmen,” seized the chance to shape their futures by starting thriving farming communities. These towns became centers for Black entrepreneurship and self-determination.
Population Changes in Boley, Oklahoma
The Birth of Black Autonomy in Indian Territory
The beginning of Oklahoma’s all-black towns comes from a mix of post-Civil War politics and the unique situation of Freedmen in Indian Territory. After being freed, these former slaves of Native American tribes found themselves in a difficult spot, neither embraced by their past owners nor welcomed into white society. Surprisingly, this unstable position gave them a chance for independence.
Between 1865 and 1920, more than 50 all-black towns and settlements emerged across Oklahoma. These communities didn’t just happen by accident but were planned and organized. Advertisements ran throughout the South promoting the rich soil, plentiful land, and tremendous opportunities for Black settlers in Oklahoma. This strong recruitment attracted African Americans who wanted to escape the harsh reality of the Jim Crow South.
The pull of these towns was strong. They offered more than economic success; they promised a life free from the daily injustices and ever-present threat of racial violence that plagued much of America after Reconstruction. In these places, Black people could rely on and support one another, building a sense of community and shared purpose often denied elsewhere.
Prosperity and Progress in All-Black Communities
The all-black towns in Oklahoma quickly became centers of African American business and cultural richness. Black-owned farms spread across the land, producing abundant harvests that fed growing communities. Schools with Black teachers provided quality education to prepare youth for future success. Businesses, from barbershops to banks, thrived, meeting the community’s needs and circulating wealth.
These towns were more than economic successes; they proved what African Americans could accomplish when free from white supremacy. They challenged racist ideas that aimed to justify Black oppression and offered hope for African Americans nationwide.
During the height of these Black towns, notable figures and institutions made a lasting impact on African-American history. Boley, once called “the most prosperous Negro city in the southwest,” had a national bank and hosted an annual rodeo that drew many visitors. Langston, founded in 1890, later became home to Langston University, one of Oklahoma’s historically Black colleges.
The Trail of Tears: A Shared Tragedy
While the story of Oklahoma’s all-black towns is inspiring, it is rooted in the sorrow of the Trail of Tears. In the 1830s, the U.S. government forced Native American tribes from the Southeast to relocate to Indian Territory, now known as Oklahoma (National Park Service). This journey spanned thousands of miles and led to the deaths of over 10,000 Native Americans due to disease, exposure, and starvation.
Enslaved African Americans traveled with their Native American masters on this grueling path. They faced the same harsh conditions, and many did not survive the journey (BlackPast). This shared suffering forged a complex relationship between the two groups, laying the groundwork for the future establishment of all-black towns in the region.
Understanding the Freedmen’s Struggle
After emancipation, the formerly enslaved people owned by Native American tribes became known as Freedmen. They found themselves in a liminal space—a transitional position with uncertain social status. They were neither fully accepted by their tribal communities nor by white society (SSRN Papers). This uncertainty drove them to create their own communities where they could determine their destinies.
What Is a Liminal Space?

Liminal Space: A transitional phase where a person is between two stages of life or social positions. For the Freedmen, it meant existing between slavery and true freedom, without clear acceptance in society.
Despite these challenges, the Freedmen negotiated treaties that promised them tribal citizenship. However, not all tribes honored these agreements. The Cherokee Nation fully recognized Freedmen as citizens only after a 2017 federal court ruling (High Country News). This ongoing struggle highlights the complex dynamics of identity and belonging in the post-Civil War era.
The Grip of Jim Crow Laws
As Oklahoma approached statehood in 1907, a new threat loomed for African Americans: Jim Crow laws. These laws enforced strict racial segregation and stripped Black people of many rights they had gained during Reconstruction (History.com). In Oklahoma, these laws undid much of the progress made in all-black towns.
Jim Crow laws didn’t just separate Black and white people; they marginalized Black communities economically and socially. African Americans faced barriers in education, employment, and voting. Racial violence, including lynchings, became a terrifying reality, forcing many to leave their homes in search of safety (BlackPast).
The Lasting Impact on Black Communities
The decline of all-black towns had profound effects on African American communities in Oklahoma. With the exodus of residents seeking better opportunities elsewhere, these towns lost businesses, schools, and other vital institutions. This loss weakened the social fabric and economic stability that had once been their strength (National Park Service).
Yet, stories of community solidarity shine through this problematic history. Residents built mutual aid societies to support one another and established schools to educate their children. Leaders emerged who fought tirelessly for the rights of their people, embodying the resilient spirit that defined these towns (High Country News).
Today, the legacy of Oklahoma’s all-black towns reminds us of the importance of community and the ongoing fight against racial injustice. It calls attention to the need for economic autonomy and solidarity in confronting systemic challenges. Reflecting on this history, we gain valuable insights into the resilience required to push forward in the face of adversity.
The Decline of Black Autonomy
Sadly, the success and relative freedom in Oklahoma’s all-black towns didn’t last. In 1907, Oklahoma became a state, and the new government quickly passed a series of Jim Crow laws. These laws enforced strict racial segregation and effectively took away many rights and protections Black Oklahomans had enjoyed.
Decline of All-Black Towns in Oklahoma
The introduction of Jim Crow laws was more than a legal setback; it led to a wave of racial violence that destroyed the security that had existed in all-black towns. Lynchings and other forms of terrorism became common, serving as brutal reminders of the fragility of Black life in the state.
Confronted with this hostile environment, many African Americans heartbreakingly decided to leave the communities they built. A large migration followed, with people seeking safety in the West, Canada, and even Mexico. This exodus drained the towns of human resources, severely impacting their economies.
Larger economic and social trends worsened the fall of Oklahoma’s all-black towns. The Great Depression hit these communities especially hard, worsening their economic struggles. Furthermore, the state’s failure to protect African Americans’ rights and provide fair access to resources contributed to the towns’ slow decline.
Legacy and Lessons for Today
The rise and fall of Oklahoma’s all-black towns is more than a historical footnote; it tells a powerful story that challenges our view of race relations in America. These communities showed what Black self-reliance and economic empowerment could look like when freed from white dominance. Their downfall starkly reminds us of how racism can undermine even the most promising achievements.
Oklahoma Population Demographics (2020)
Today, the legacy of these towns still exists in the few that remain and in the descendants of their original residents who continue the resilience and determination that defined these unique communities. The story of Oklahoma’s all-black towns offers important lessons for today’s fights against racial injustice, emphasizing the value of economic independence, community unity, and the ongoing struggle against systemic oppression.
As we address racial inequalities today, the history of these towns serves as both inspiration and a warning. It reminds us of the power of Black independence while also showing the ongoing threat of institutional racism. Reclaiming this often-ignored part of African-American history, we gain helpful insights into the continuing fight for racial justice and equality in the U.S.
Remembering Oklahoma’s All-Black Towns
The story of Oklahoma’s all-black towns is a powerful testament to the resilience, creativity, and determination of African Americans facing overwhelming odds. These communities represent a unique time in history when true freedom and self-reliance seemed within reach. While their decline is a sobering reminder of the lasting power of racism, their legacy continues to inspire today’s fights for racial justice. By remembering and honoring these towns, we preserve an important part of African-American history and gain essential insights into the ongoing fight for equality and justice in America.
FAQ
Q: What were the all-black towns in Oklahoma?
A: All-black towns in Oklahoma were communities founded by African-Americans, particularly Freedmen, after the Civil War, offering autonomy and opportunities for economic and social growth.
Q: How did these towns come into existence?
A: The towns emerged between 1865 and 1920 due to a combination of post-Civil War politics and the unique circumstances of Freedmen, who sought a life free from racial oppression.
Q: What was the significance of these towns?
A: They represented Black self-determination and economic empowerment, showcasing the potential for African Americans to thrive when given opportunities and autonomy.
Q: What led to the decline of these towns?
A: The decline was caused by the implementation of Jim Crow laws in Oklahoma, racial violence, economic hardships like the Great Depression, and a significant exodus of residents seeking safer environments.
Q: What lessons can we learn from the history of these towns?
A: Their story emphasizes the importance of economic autonomy, community solidarity, and the fight against systemic racism, serving as both inspiration and a cautionary tale in contemporary struggles for racial justice.
Q: Why is it important to remember these towns today?
A: Remembering Oklahoma’s all-black towns honors a significant chapter of African-American history and sheds light on ongoing racial inequities, providing insights for future advocacy and equality efforts.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.