About | Town of Boley

Boley, Oklahoma: A Legacy of Black Excellence and Resilience

Located halfway between Paden and Castle in Okfuskee County, Boley is the largest and most well-known of the more than fifty All-Black towns established in Oklahoma and remains one of only thirteen still in existence today. Founded in 1903, Boley was established on land allotted to Abigail Barnett, the daughter of Creek Freedman James Barnett, and named after J.B. Boley, a railroad official of the Fort Smith and Western Railway.

Boley quickly became a center of Black prosperity and self-governance, attracting African Americans from across the country, including formerly enslaved individuals and entrepreneurs seeking opportunity outside the oppressive racial structures of the South. The town was incorporated in 1905, and that same year, Booker T. Washington—founder of the National Negro Business League and the Tuskegee Institute—visited and proclaimed Boley to be “the most enterprising and in many ways the most interesting of the Negro towns in the United States.”

Early Growth and Prominence (1903-1930s)

By 1911, Boley had over 4,000 residents and a thriving business district, boasting:

Two banks, including the first nationally chartered Black-owned bank
Three cotton gins
Two colleges (Creek-Seminole College and Methodist Episcopal College)
An electric plant, water system, and ice plant
The Boley Progress, a widely circulated Black newspaper (1905-1926)
A Masonic Temple, one of the tallest buildings between Okmulgee and Oklahoma City (1912)

Despite its prosperity, Boley—like many rural communities—faced economic hardship through the 1920s and 1930s. The Great Depression, coupled with the collapse of the Fort Smith & Western Railroad in 1939, impacted the town’s financial stability.

The 1932 Bank Robbery: A Defining Moment of Community Resilience

One of the most famous events in Boley’s history occurred in 1932, when the town’s citizens thwarted a bank robbery attempt by members of Pretty Boy Floyd's gang. The outlaws targeted the Farmers and Merchants Bank, believing the town’s all-Black population would be defenseless.

However, H.C. McCormick, the bank’s cashier, and other armed citizens fought back, killing one of the gang members in a dramatic gunfight. The failed heist became a legendary moment in Boley’s history, symbolizing Black resilience and self-defense during an era of racial oppression. The Farmers and Merchants Bank building still stands as a testament to the town’s fortitude and independence.

The Boley Rodeo: A Black Cowboy Tradition and National Recognition

Boley is home to the nation’s oldest African American community-based rodeo, established in 1961, and held annually every Memorial Day weekend. This event honors the legacy of Black cowboys and cowgirls, who have played a significant role in the American West but are often left out of mainstream historical narratives.

The rodeo features bull riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, and barrel racing, drawing thousands of attendees each year. The Boley Rodeo & BBQ Festival has been a cornerstone of cultural pride and economic activity, attracting national media attention and visitors from across the country.

Recognizing its cultural and historical significance, the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office nominated the Boley Rodeo for National Historic Landmark (NHL) status in 2024. If approved, the Boley Rodeo will receive federal recognition as a site of historical importance in Black American history. This nomination highlights the rodeo’s role in preserving African American cowboy heritage and its importance to the identity of Boley.

Oklahoma Civil Rights Trail Recognition

Boley’s historical significance was further recognized with its inclusion on the Oklahoma Civil Rights Trail. On November 2, 2024, a historic marker was unveiled on Highway 62, commemorating Boley’s role in the struggle for African American rights and its legacy as a self-sustaining Black community.

The unveiling ceremony included prominent guests such as Harvard Law Attorney and author Hannibal Johnson, along with representatives from the 400 Years of African American History Commission and other Black town supporters. This designation highlights Boley’s enduring impact on civil rights, Black economic independence, and historical preservation.

Boley Today: Revitalization and Community Growth

In the 21st century, Boley has experienced a renaissance thanks to initiatives by organizations such as Project 2020 Foundation and the Boley Legacy Consortium, which focus on preserving history, fostering economic development, and ensuring a vibrant future for the town.

Project 2020 Foundation (Established 2019, 501(c)(3) in 2023)

Under the leadership of Karen Ekuban, a Boley High School alumna (Class of 1988), Project 2020 Foundation has played a pivotal role in Boley’s revitalization efforts. Formed as a partnership with the Town of Boley, the foundation became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2023 and has since written and secured multiple grants to fund key projects, including:

The Boley Museum and Welcome Center, which will serve as a hub for tourism, history, and community engagement
The Smithsonian Exhibit: "Crossroads: Change in Rural America", hosted in Boley in 2024 through a grant from Oklahoma Humanities and the Oklahoma Historical Society
The Boley Park and Community Garden Initiative, designed to provide green spaces, promote health, and strengthen community ties
Civil Rights Trail Recognition, with a historic marker unveiled on November 2, 2024, acknowledging Boley’s role in African American history

Additionally, Project 2020 Foundation serves as the fiscal sponsor for the Boley Legacy Consortium, furthering initiatives that preserve history, strengthen community ties, and create sustainable economic opportunities.

New Business & Tourism Initiatives: The McCormick Restaurant and Welcome Center

In 2024, Jacqueline Floyd, a Boley High School alumna (Class of 1981), and her husband Tarrance Floyd purchased McCormick's Restaurant, a historic establishment once owned by Theodore McCormick, nephew of H.C. McCormick—the man who famously defended Boley’s Farmers and Merchants Bank from a Pretty Boy Floyd gang robbery attempt in 1932.

The Floyds are currently renovating the McCormick Restaurant into a newly reimagined restaurant, a welcome center, and a gift shop, designed to enhance tourism and provide a cultural gathering space for residents and visitors alike. This project is expected to boost local business and honor Boley’s historic past.

Looking Ahead: Boley's Future

With continued efforts from Project 2020 Foundation, The Boley Legacy Consortium, and other key stakeholders, Boley is positioned for a new era of prosperity. The town remains a symbol of Black resilience, economic independence, and cultural heritage, standing as a beacon for future generations.