Boley, Oklahoma: A Legacy of Black Excellence, Resilience & Renewal

Founded in 1903 on land allotted to Abigail Barnett, daughter of Creek Freedman James Barnett, Boley is the largest and best-known of Oklahoma’s historic All-Black towns—one of only thirteen still in existence today. Named after railroad official J.B. Boley, the town quickly became a national symbol of Black self-governance, entrepreneurship, and cultural achievement. After visiting in 1905, Booker T. Washington praised Boley as “the most enterprising…Negro town in the United States.”

A Thriving Black Metropolis (1903–1930s)

By 1911, more than 4,000 residents lived in Boley. The town supported:

Two banks, including a nationally chartered Black-owned bank
Three cotton gins
Two colleges
An electric plant, water system & ice plant
The Boley Progress newspaper
A 1912 Masonic Temple that became a regional landmark

This remarkable growth made Boley a beacon of Black prosperity and independence during the era of Jim Crow.

The 1932 Bank Robbery: A Defining Moment

In 1932, members of Pretty Boy Floyd’s gang attempted to rob the Farmers & Merchants Bank. Expecting an unarmed town, the outlaws were met instead by bank cashier H.C. McCormick and armed citizens who fought back, killing one robber and stopping the heist.
The original bank building still stands—one of the most important surviving monuments of Black courage, community defense, and economic history.

Boley Rodeo: Tradition Since 1903 — Championship Rodeo Since 1961

Boley’s rodeo heritage began with the town’s founding in 1903, when early residents—many skilled horsemen and ranchers—held riding and roping events.

In 1961, the tradition formalized into the modern Boley Championship Rodeo, now recognized as the oldest African American community-based rodeo in the United States.
Held every Memorial Day weekend, it celebrates Black cowboy culture through bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, and roping, attracting thousands of visitors.

In 2024, the rodeo was nominated for National Historic Landmark status by the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office.

Oklahoma Civil Rights Trail Recognition

On November 2, 2024, Boley was officially added to the Oklahoma Civil Rights Trail.
A historic marker on Highway 62 honors the town’s legacy of Black self-determination, civil rights leadership, and community resilience. The unveiling included historian Hannibal Johnson, representatives from the 400 Years of African American History Commission, and local supporters.

Boley Today: Revitalization, Heritage Tourism & Community Growth

Project 2020 Foundation

Under the leadership of Karen Ekuban (BHS ’88), Project 2020 Foundation is driving Boley’s modern revitalization through historic preservation, cultural programming, and economic development.

Key initiatives include:

The Boley Museum & Welcome Center
Smithsonian “Crossroads: Change in Rural America” exhibit (2024)
The Boley Park & Community Garden
Civil Rights Trail programming and touring
Serving as fiscal sponsor for the Boley Legacy Consortium
Farmers and Merchant Bank

Restoration of the Historic Farmers & Merchants Bank

The iconic bank—site of the 1932 robbery attempt—is undergoing multi-phase restoration to become a cornerstone of Boley’s tourism and cultural landscape.
Plans include:

Museum-quality exhibits on Black towns, cowboy heritage, and the 1932 robbery
A visitor and tourism center
Archival and research space for historic preservation
Programming areas for tours, education, and community storytelling

Grant-Supported Restoration

The bank’s restoration is directly supported through:

Lesher Family Foundation Grant, assisting with preservation, planning, and exhibit development
Walking Together Grant (Mid-Atlantic Arts), supporting community-based arts, cultural storytelling, and programming tied to the bank and Boley’s heritage

These investments ensure the bank will become a permanent hub for education, tourism, and historical interpretation.

The McCormick Restaurant & Welcome Center

In 2024, Jacqueline (BHS ’81) and Tarrance Floyd purchased the historic McCormick Restaurant—connected to the McCormick family legacy and Boley’s bank history.
They are transforming it into:

A restaurant
A welcome center
A gift shop

This site will serve as a new cultural gateway for visitors and support the town’s growing tourism economy.

Looking Forward

With ongoing leadership from Project 2020 Foundation, the Boley Legacy Consortium, Floyd Construction, Boley Tours, and committed alumni and families, Boley is entering a new era of cultural revival and economic development.

From its founding in 1903 to its modern renaissance, Boley remains a powerful symbol of Black excellence, resilience, and heritage—an American story that continues to inspire generations.