You Dare not Rob a Bank in this Black Town !
What if I told you there was another Black Wallstreet in Oklahoma, not name Greenwood!
Boley, Oklahoma, holds a unique and significant place in the history of All-Black towns in the United States. Established in 1903, it quickly emerged as the largest and most renowned among the fifty such communities in Oklahoma, with only thirteen still existing today. The town's origin, situated on land allotted to Creek freedman James Barnett's daughter Abigail, reflects a broader pattern of Foundational Black American ownership and autonomy in the post-Civil War era. The town's name, derived from J. B. Boley, a railroad official, signifies the interconnectedness of the town with the expanding railway infrastructure of the time.
Boley's early success and prosperity was evident in its thriving community and robust economic infrastructure. By 1911, the town boasted over four thousand citizens and a flourishing business sector, featuring, three cotton gins, two colleges, Creek-Seminole College, and Methodist Episcopal College and even two banks. One of these the “First National Bank of Boley,” is believed by many scholars and historians to be the first nationally chartered black owned bank in the country. The citizens of Boley took immense pride in their banks and intuitions and protected them at all costs. So much so that it became a known fact around the state to never rob a bank in Boley, for it might cost you your life. Proof of this was the deadly shootout with Pretty Boy Floyd’s gang on one cool November day.
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In 1932, members of Pretty Boy Floyd's gang attempted to rob the Farmers and Merchants Bank in Boley. Floyd had warned them not to try it, knowing the town was armed and ready to defend itself. But the robbers ignored him. When they entered the bank, a shootout ensued, leaving bank president W.L. Turner dead but not before bank employee H.C. McCormick fired at the robbers from the vault, mortally wounding one. Alerted by the gunshots, citizens rushed to the scene, surrounding the bank with firearms and tools. Then chaos erupted as the gang tried to escape while under heavy fire but failed. When it was all said and done one robber was killed and another injured before being captured. The brave actions of Boley's residents foiled the robbery, by putting their life on the line to protect their bank. Their defiant stand exemplified the strong, self-reliant spirit of this pioneering black town. Which is why during Boley’s heyday it was endorsed by influential figures like Booker T. Washington, who lauded it as "the most enterprising and interesting of the Negro towns in the United States." The town's infrastructure, including its own electrical generating plant, water system, ice plant, and the grand Masonic Temple, reflected a commitment to self-sufficiency and development.
However, like many rural communities, Boley faced challenges in the 1920s and 1930s, witnessing a decline in population. Despite hardships, the town displayed resilience, and by the dawn of the twenty-first century, it experienced a revival with economic rejuvenation. Boley's enduring legacy is marked by its commitment to preserving its history and cultural heritage. The nation’s oldest Black community-based rodeo held every Memorial Day weekend, highlights the town's cultural vibrancy. Additionally, the downtown business district's inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places and Landmarks highlight the significance of Boley in the broader historical landscape of Foundational Black American history.
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