Boley in Okfuskee County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

J.B. Boley

1865 to 1905

Photographed By Jerry Klinger, October 14, 2023

1. J.B. Boley Marker

Inscription. J.B. Foley, a White Man, was roadmaster for the Fort Smith and Western Railroad which passed a few feet south of this point. Mr. Boley had faith in the Black Man to govern himself and persuaded the railroad to establish a townsite here; thus the town of Boley was named for him.

Boley, Creek Nation, Indian Territory, was established in 1903 and incorporated May 11, 1905.

Erected 1976 by Erected by the Association for the Study of Afro-American life and history in cooperation with the Amoco Foundation Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Native Americans • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is May 11, 1905.

Location. 35° 29.388′ N, 96° 29.032′ W. Marker is in Boley, Oklahoma, in Okfuskee County. Marker is at the intersection of 309 South Pecan Street and Walnut Street, on the right when traveling south on 309 South Pecan Street. On the exterior right hand wall of the entrance to the Boley police station. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Boley OK 74829, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Founders of Boley-Pioneer (here, next to this marker); Boley, Oklahoma (about

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600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Okfuskee County, Rosenwald Schools, and Boley (about 600 feet away); Cromwell (approx. 10.4 miles away); Woody Guthrie in Okemah, Oklahoma (approx. 10.9 miles away); Woody Guthrie (approx. 10.9 miles away); Birthplace of Jim Thorpe (approx. 11.4 miles away).

Regarding J.B. Boley. The town of Boley is recognized as a National Historical Site by the U.S. Congress.

Also see . . .
1. Boley, Oklahoma.

In 1904, the town of Boley was platted and was named for Mr. Boley (white) (the railroad manager of the Fort Smith and Western Railroad which ran through the townsite), because he manifested such a profound interest in the establishment of the town.

Boley was formally opened on September 22, 1904, on an application granted to the 200 Citizens of Boley, Indian Territory, who made the application through T. M. Haynes, townsite Manager, Attorney M. J. Jones, H. C. Cavil, Merchant and Hillard Taylor, gin operator. The Charter was granted on May 10, 1905.

During the early territorial days of Boley, its area was surrounded with Indians who soon made friends with their new neighbors through the natives of said area, among the being the James
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Barnett family, who at that time lived in a dug-out on his allottment near the townsite of Boley, the Israel Johnson, Sr., family and the Lige Walker family. A part of the Boley townsite is on the Johnson and Barnett allottments.

(Submitted on October 15, 2023, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)

2. Photograph of J. B. Boley, rail master, on his horse, next to a train, c. 1902. (Submitted on October 15, 2023, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2023, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 102 times since then and 36 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on October 15, 2023, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.

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