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The Promised Land
Oklahoma holds the distinction of having more historically black towns than any other state. African Americans have been a part of Oklahoma’s unique history since the days of frontier exploration and a thriving fur trade.
When the Native American tribes of the South were forcibly removed to Indian Territory, many of them brought slaves with them. These slaves, freed by treaty in 1866, were also granted tribal citizenship and rights to land. Still other freed slaves left the South and came to Oklahoma to stake a claim during our famous land runs.
Around these land holdings the historically black towns developed and they thrived as centers of black culture, accomplishment and pride. As these towns grew, a call went out across the country for other African Americans to come to Oklahoma and find the freedom to build a life of prosperity for themselves and their children.
Today, the Annual Black Towns Tour takes visitors to locations such as Taft, Rentiesville, Boley and Langston to learn about their unique place in history. These towns set out the welcome mat and share good food, great stories and historic places where African Americans of a century ago came to find a better life in the “Promised Land” called Oklahoma.
-- Jonita Mullins
- Jonita Mullins
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