Boley Historic District - Boley, OK
Posted by: 
hamquilter
N 35° 29.423 W 096° 29.024
14S E 728259 N 3930337
The Boley Historic District contains 14 buildings that speak of the former thriving of this all-black town.
Waymark Code: WMYBEN
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 05/25/2018
Views: 1
The town of Boley was established in 1903 as an all-black town, particularly as residence for black railroad workers. By 1911 it was thriving with a population of about 4,000. Unfortunately, cotton crop failures in the 1920's and the Depression of the 1930's took their toll on Boley, as residents left, never to return.
Boley was originally built on 160 acres, which expanded to 300 acres. All the buildings in this District were constructed between 1903 and 1921. The town flourished with many churches, schools and a Masonic Temple which drew black masons annually on pilgrimage. Boley was the largest of the Oklahoma all-black towns, and probably the largest in the U.S. [details excerpted from the NRHP nomination].
Today, unfortunately, the downtown area is mostly vacant and in ruins. There are a couple of businesses, including the town hall. It is sad to see this once-thriving town in poor condition, but in speaking with one of its residents, the town pride is as strong as ever. The population today is about 1180.
Watson Building
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Coordinates shown are for the T.M. Haynes Building.