Rentiesville in McIntosh County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

All-Black Towns of Oklahoma
⎯⎯⎯
Rentiesville

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 20, 2024

1. All-Black Towns of Oklahoma / Rentiesville Marker

Inscription. All-Black Towns of Oklahoma The All-Black towns of Oklahoma represent a unique chapter in American history. No where else, neither the Deep South nor the Far West, did so many African American men and women come together to live in and govern their own communities. By 1920, Oklahoma had more than 30 towns considered All-Black. All-Black towns grew after the Civil War when the former slaves of the Five Civilized Tribes settled together for mutual protection and economic security. When the lands of the tribes were allotted to individuals, most Indian "freedmen" chose land next to other African Americans. This created prosperous farming communities that could support towns. When the land run of 1889 opened yet more land to non-Indian settlement, African Americans from the Old South rushed to the new territory for free land. Edwin McCabe founded Langston and encouraged African Americans to settle in his All-Black town. He even had a vision for an All-Black state. Although his dream was never realized, many All-Black communities were established on the rich topsoil of the new territory and state.

The

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All-Black towns of Oklahoma prospered until the 1920s but gradually declined under the pressure of Jim Crow laws that denied African Americans the right to vote, the Great Depression, and population flight from farm to city after World War II. Today, a few Ail Black towns still survive, but all are remembered, a legacy of economic and political freedom.

Rentiesville Rentiesville, founded in 1903, was developed on twenty acres owned by William Rentie and twenty acres owned by Phoebe McIntosh. Rev. N. A Robinson, I. J. Foster, W. D. Robinson, and Rentie organized the townsite company with Rev. Robinson elected president. J. J. Hudson opened the first mercantile business and became the first postmaster. By 1904, as a flag stop on the M. K. & T. Railway, the town had five businesses along Main street and eighty-one children were enrolled in the school. William Rentie, the town's only lawman, arrested a man for drunkenness. and disorderly conduct in 1908. An uncle of the man shot and killed William Rentie for revenge. By the late 1930s the population of Rentiesville dwindled to 154 and on the 1990 census there

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 20, 2024

2. All-Black Towns of Oklahoma / Rentiesville Marker

were 66 residents. A famous site in town today is the Down Home Blues Club of nationally famed Blues artist, D. C. Minner. Rentiesville is also the birthplace of Dr. John Hope Franklin, dean of African American history and the author of the award-winning book From Slavery to Freedom.

Some early business owners and leaders of the community included: J. P. Pointer (grocer): M. T. Williams; Mrs. M. L. Bryant (schoolteacher); J. D. Chambers (blacksmith); T. M. Fullbright (carpenter); H. Warren (carpenter); Rev. David Green (AME church); Prof. C. R. Ross (teacher); G. W. Cooksey (mercantile store): N T. Williams (mercantile store): Daniea Paul: Dr. J. J. Lowe, Danzy Pugh, Julius Morris; Dr. Durham, Charles Banks; William Hill (principal): HD Frederick (cotton gin); Jerry Alberta (depot agent); D. C. Martin: C. Roberts (carpenter).

Erected by the City of Town of Rentiesville.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.

Location. 35° 31.368′ N, 95° 29.804′ W. Marker is in Rentiesville, Oklahoma, in McIntosh

Historic All-Black Towns of Oklahoma Map image. Click for full size.

Oklahoma Historical Society

3. Historic All-Black Towns of Oklahoma Map

County. It is on North Intosh Street north of Gertrude Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Located in front of the Town Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 N Mc Intosh St, Rentiesville OK 74459, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Muscogee Nation

and specifically in the Cherokee Nation.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Texas Road (approx. 0.6 miles away); Honey Springs Depot on the Texas Road (approx. 0.8 miles away); Texas Monument (approx. 0.8 miles away); Confederate Soldiers (approx. 0.8 miles away); 1st Regiment Kansas Colored Volunteers (approx. 0.8 miles away); Five Civilized Tribes in the Battle of Honey Springs (approx. 0.8 miles away); Union Soldiers

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(approx. 0.8 miles away); How We Know What We Know · Soldiers' Letters (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rentiesville.

Regarding All-Black Towns of Oklahoma / Rentiesville. The M. K. & T. Railway is the Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad.

Additional commentary.
1. Rentiesville is one of 13 All-Black Towns that still survive.
Rentiesville was one of 50 all-black towns in Oklahoma and one of 13 that still survives. The Honey Springs Civil War Battlefield of 1863 (aka the Affair at Elk Creek) is less than a mile north of town, off 11th Street.

— Submitted March 29, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 918 times since then and 131 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 29, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.

All-Black Towns of Oklahoma⎯⎯⎯Rentiesville

All-Black Towns of Oklahoma
⎯⎯⎯
Rentiesville