.

>>> ON A SPECIAL EDITION OF THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT": >> THE STORY OF THE ALL-BLACK TOWNS IS THE STORY OF RESISTANCE, OF SAYING, WE ARE NOT GOING TO SUCCUMB TO TERRORISM.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO SUCCUMB TO LYNCHING, INTO JIM CROW LAWS, THAT WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS THAT DESERVE RESPECT AND JUSTICE.

>> A LOOK BACK A YEAR'S WORTH OF REPORTING ON OKLAHOMA'S HISTORIC BLACK FRONTIER TOWNS!

>> BOLEY IS ONE OF THE PLACES THAT DREW THE REAL BIG CROWDS THAT EVERYBODY CAME TO SEE.

IF YOU WERE SOMEBODY COMPETE IN THE RODEO, YOU WERE GOING TO COME TO BOLEY.

>> WE'LL VISIT THE RODEO IN BOLEY AND THE BLUES FESTIVAL IN RENTIESVILLE >> HELLO RENTIESVILLE.EVERYONE READY FOR DAY TWO OF THE 'DUSK TIL DAWN BLUES FESTIVAL?

>> WE'LL EXPLORE THE HISTORY OF BROOKESVILLE AND LANGSTON >> BEING ABLE TO FEEL THE LOVE FROM ALUMNI I MEAN FROM THE PARADE EARLY IN THE MORNING ON TO THE TAILGATE TO THE GAME.

>> PLUS, A REPORT ON WHAT MAKES REDBIRD SO SPECIAL.

>> THIS SMALL COMMUNITY HAS PUT OUT SOME GIANTS.

AND THEY COME FROM PEOPLE THAT LOVED US AND RAISED US WELL.

>> OUR FAVORITE REPORTING ON SOME OF OKLAHOMA'S 13 REMAINING BLACK FRONTIER TOWNS.NEXT ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT"!

HELLO EVERYONE AND WELCOME TO THIS ECIAL HOLIDAY EDITION OF THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT", I'M RICH LENZ.

AS WE HEAD INTO 2024, WE'LL BE COMING TO THE CONCLUSION OF OUR YEAR-LONG SERIES OF REPORTS ON OKLAHOMA'S 13 REMAINING "BLACK FRONTIER TOWNS".

WE'VE COVERED 11 SO FAR, WITH VERNON AND LIMA STILL TO GO IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY.

THIS WEEK, EACH OF US HAS CHOSEN ONE OF OUR REPORTS THAT WE'VE PARTICULARLY ENJOYED PRESENTING TO YOU.

SO, BACK WITH AN "ENCORE" AIRING OF BOLEY, WE WELCOME JASON DOYLE.

JASON?

>> RICH.

THE PEOPLE OF BOLEY ARE PROUD OF THEIR TOWN.

OF COURSE, THE ANNUAL DRAW TO THE OKFUSKEE COUNTY CITY IS THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND PARADE AND RODEO.

THEY BELIEVE THERE'S MUCH MORE TO BOLEY.

>> IT'S THE SATURDAY BEFORE MEMORIAL DAY, AND A FEW FRIENDLY ROUNDS OF DOMINO ARE PLAYING OUT IN THE HARDWARE STORE.

THEY'RE BIDING THEIR TIME UNTIL THE BIG PARADE THAT LEADS TO THE HISTORIC RODEO LATER THAT EVENING.

>> THAT'S THE OWNER OF THE HARDWARE STORE.

WHO IS ALSO THE MAYOR.

>> EVERYTHING HAPPENS IN BOLEY.

>> IT'S A HOME COMING TO MANY.

>> IT BRINGS FAMILY HOME.

AND THERE'S EXCITEMENT IN THE AIR.

WHEN YOU HEAR EVERY DAY, YOU GET USED TO THE CALMNESS THAT COMES WITH THE CITY.

AND THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET THE EXCITEMENT FROM PEOPLE COMING HOME.

EVENTS HAPPENING AT THE RODEO, AND ON THE RODEO GROUNDS AND DOWNTOWN.

I LOVE IT.

>> THE MAYOR'S RIGHT.

HERE FROM KANSAS CITY.

>> YEAH, WE CAME IN FRIDAY NIGHT, WE COME DOWN EVERY YEAR.

WE DO THE CLEAN OFF MY ANCESTOR'S GRAVE AND CELEBRATE THIS DAY BECAUSE OF MY GREAT GRANDFATHER.

IT'S THE GREAT GUNFIGHT OF BOLEY, OKLAHOMA CITY.

SHOWS HOW HE WAS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

BACK THEN NOT TOO MANY UNITED STATES MARSHALS.

>> HE PROTECTED EARLY LIFE IN BOLEY.

>> WHAT WAS THE EARLY LIFE LIKE?

>> IT WAS PRETTY GOOD.

I KNOW I LOOK LIKE I WAS HERE IN 1903, BUT I WASN'T.

>> SAYS THE TOWN CAME INTO EXISTENCE IN 1903.

AND OFFICIALLY INCORPORATED IN 1905.

>> THE TOWN WAS BUILT HERE ON 160 ACRES.

ANNABEL BARNETT, HER FATHER WAS THE FREEMAN.

AND THEY HAD RECEIVED AN ALLOTMENT.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE MULE.

>> THE WESTERN RAIL MADE BOLEY A STOP.

>> THEY HAD TO STOP EVERY SIX MILES FOR WATER.

THE MOST RECENT STOP FOR US WAS EVERY SIX MILES.

AND THIS SPOT IN THE ROAD HERE.

>> IN THE EARLY YEARS IT WAS COTTON THAT FUELED THE ECONOMY.

>> THE SLOW DOWN CAME WHEN COTTON NO LONGER WAS KING.

COTTON WAS THE ACTIVE CROP THE FARMERS GREW AND THEY TOOK CARE OF THE CHILDREN THEY HAD.

ACRES AND ACRES OF COTTON WAS PLANTED.

WHEN WE GOT INTO THE COTTON, COTTON BECAME KING ALL OVER THE WORLD.

THE OVERPRODUCTION OF COTTON CAUSED A PART OF THE DOWN FALL OF BOLEY.

>> BY THE TIME STATE HOOD ROLLED AROUND IN 1907, BOLEY BOASTED A POPULATION OF 824 PEOPLE.

BY THE 1910 CENSUS, IT GREW TO 1300 RESIDENTS.

AS THE TOWN GREW, SO DID THE PEOPLE'S DESIRE TO MODERNIZE THE TOWN.

>> WE HAVE THE ELECTRIC COMPANY, THE FIRST BLACK OWNED AND OPERATED ELECTRIC COMPANY.

>> C.J.

CALLED HIMSELF THE BOLEY PIONEER.

HE RESEARCHED AND FOCUSED ON BOLEY.

>> I HAD TO RESEARCH BOLEY, OKLAHOMA, I WAS SHOCKED.

WHAT THE PEOPLE WHO STARTED WITH NOTHING, MADE THE WEALTHIEST OKLAHOMA TOWN IN THE WORLD.

>> WE HAD EVERYTHING HERE.

I KEEP TELLING YOU THAT, THAT YOU HAVE IN BIG CITIES.

I SAY THAT OVER AND OVER.

YOU NAME IT, WE HAD IT.

AS I SAID A WHILE AGO, ALL OF THIS WAS DOWN, WE HAD A RIP PLANT.

THE BLACK MAN OWNED IT.

HE MADE THE BRICK.

THE GINS, OPERATED BY THE BLACK FOLKS.

THEY OWNED THEM.

WE HAD OUR OWN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THEY MADE THAT THEMSELVES.

>> THE LOW POINT IN 1980, THE POPULATION -- SINCE THEN GROWN BACK TO JUST SHORT OF 1100.

WHILE THE RAILROAD IS FADED MEMORIES, THE BLACK COWBOY IS NOT.

>> THE STUDIO ALSO SHOT IN BOLEY, THE BULLDOGGER.

THE FIRST TIME CAST IN A FILM.

AND THE COWBOYS ARE STILL FEATURED IN THE RODEO TODAY.

THE INCARNATION OF THE BOLEY RODEO, STARTED IN 1961.

>> IT'S ONE OF THE LONGEST OF THE BLACK RODEOS, AND BLACK COWBOYS COMPETE ALL OVER THE WORLD NOW.

USED TO BE THEY COULDN'T GO TO PRCA, OR RUN THE BIG CIRCUITS OUT THERE.

BOLEY WAS ON THEIR CALENDAR.

THEY WOULD COME TO BOLEY AND COMPETE.

IT DREW THE BIG CROWDS.

>> HE'S TAKEN OVER AS COORDINATOR FOR THE RODEO.

>> IT'S A LOT OF WORK.

GETTING EVERYTHING TOGETHER.

BUT THE CHAMBER FOR THE CITY OF BOLEY IS A GREAT ORGANIZATION TO COME IN AND WORK FOR.

YOU GET THEIR SUPPORT 100%.

>> ONE OF THE PREVIOUS COORDINATORS WAS ALSO A CHAMPION BARREL RACER.

>> I COME FROM A RODEO FAMILY, AND THERE WAS ALSO CATTLE MY DAD OWNED THAT WE RAISED CATTLE IN BOLEY.

>> SHE'S GIVING BACK BY BRINGING RODEO CAMPS TO TEACH THE YOUNGER PEOPLE.

>> I ALSO RODEOED IN THE 80S REALLY HEAVY.

ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES.

I HAD MY OWN RODEO CAMP.

WE BROUGHT IT BACK TO BOLEY, AND WE'LL HAVE VARIOUS PEOPLE COME IN FOR THE CAMP.

>> SHE SAYS, BOLEY ALWAYS BROUGHT HER BACK.

>> IT'S DEEP IN MY HEART, THE NUMBER ONE RODEO AND STILL IS IN THE UNITED STATES, THE BLACK RODEO.

NOBODY ELSE WILL BEAT BOLEY.

>> WILLIAMS AGREES, THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT THE BOLEY RODEO.

>> TO COME TO BOLEY AS A BLACK ATHLETE, AND RODEO ATHLETE, YOU COME TO WHERE THE TEAMS GREW.

>> THE MONEY THEY MAKE, AND ALSO THOSE WHO ARE HERE AND HEAD OUT THE DOOR, TO INCREASE THAT ABILITY TO MAKE EXTRA MONEY THAT WOULDN'T ORDINARILY BE MADE.

>> THERE SEEMS TO BE A BOOMERANG EFFECT.

THE MAYOR CAME BACK TO BOLEY AFTER A SUCCESSFUL CAREER.

>> RETIRED AND CAME HOME.

I WANTED TO BE INVOLVED IN WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> EVEN IF SOMEONE LEAVES THE TOWN OF BOLEY, THEY STILL BELONG.

>> THAT'S WHAT REALLY HELPS, THE PRIDE, THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY THAT WAS INSTILLED IN THE CITIZENS OF BOLEY OVER THE PAST HUNDRED YEARS, 120 YEARS SINCE 1903.

THEIR STILL HAVE THE SENSE OF BELONGING, THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

AND THEY APPRECIATE THAT NO MATTER WHERE THEY GO.

WHEN THEY LEAVE THE TOWN OF BOLEY, AND SOMETIMES YOU WANT TO GIVE BACK.

THEY FIND A WAY TO GIVE BACK.

>> AND THE LEADERS FEEL THE FUTURE IS A BRIGHT ONE IN BOLEY.

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I THINK IS THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

THE SENSE OF BELONGING.

THE SENSE OF KNOWING YOUR NEIGHBOR.

KNOWING YOUR TOWN'S PEOPLE.

KNOWING WHO YOU CAN GO TO IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING DONE.

YOU'LL FIND SOME OF THE MOST FRIENDLIEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.

HERE IN BOLEY.

>> THE BOLEY RODEO IS THE OLDEST AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY-BASED RODEO IN THE NATION.

THE ORIGINAL BOLEY RODEO WAS HELD IN 1903.

RICH.

>>> IN THIS NEWSCAST, WE'LL FEATURE REPORTS ON FIVE OF THE TOWNS WE'VE VISITED SO FAR-- BUT THEY'RE ALL EQUALLY SIGNIFICANT AND DESERVING OF RECOGNITION-- SO I ASKED HISTORIAN, DR. BOB BLACKBURN, WHO RETIRED AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE "OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY" IN 2021, THIS QUESTION: WHY SHOULD WE ALL CARE DEEPLY ABOUT PRESERVING AND STRENGTHENING PLACES LIKE TULLAHASSE, TATUMS, SUMMIT, GRAYSON AND OTHERS.

WHAT MAKES THEM IMPORTANT HISTORICALLY- NOT JUST FOR OKLAHOMANS-- BUT FOR ALL AMERICANS?

>> ONE IS THAT THERE'S A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AMONG MANY AFRICAN AMERICANS IN OKLAHOMA THAT THEY ARE FROM THE COMMUNITY OF BOLEY.

THEY ARE FROM THE COMMUNITY OF CLEARVIEW.

THEY'RE CONNECTED TO THEIR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, THEIR COUSINS, THEIR AUNTS AND UNCLES, THEIR PARENTS, THEIR GRANDPARENTS.

THAT SENSE OF PLACE IS ESSENTIAL IN ANY COMMUNITY LIKE OKLAHOMA.

WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT PRESERVING THESE MEMORIES OF WHERE WE COME FROM.

SECONDLY, THE STORY OF THE ALL BLACK TOWNS IS THE STORY OF RESISTANCE, OF SAYING, WE ARE NOT GOING TO SUCCUMB TO TERRORISM.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO SUCCUMB TO LYNCHING INTO JIM CROW LAWS, THAT WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS THAT DESERVE RESPECT AND JUSTICE, EVEN IF WE HAVE TO GO TO OUR OWN TOWNS SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE US.

AND THOSE BLACK TOWNS ARE PART OF THAT RESISTANCE THAT, THAT, THAT YEARNING FOR SOME KIND OF INDEPENDENCE.

SELF-SUFFICIENCY OF DIGNITY.

AND FOR MANY AFRICAN AMERICANS, THAT'S THE ONLY PLACE ON THE FRONTIER.

THEY COULD FIND THAT DIGNITY.

AND THEN FINALLY, THE ALL BLACK TOWNS REPRESENT THE AGRICULTURAL HISTORY OF THE STATE.

OKLAHOMA'S FARMING FRONTIER HAD ITS GOLDEN AGE FROM 1898 TO 1918.

THAT'S THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE ALL BLACK TOWNS.

WHEN FARMERS COULD MAKE A MIDDLE CLASS LIVING, GROWING A LITTLE BIT OF COTTON, A LITTLE CORN FOR THEIR MULES AND HORSES, RAISING A FEW HEAD OF CATTLE, HAVING A BIG GARDEN FOR THEIR FAMILY, THE ABILITY TO MAKE A CASH CROP SO THEY COULD ADD TO THE HOUSE OR THE BARN TO SEND THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL INTO COLLEGE.

THIS AGRICULTURAL TRADITION IS PART OF WHO WE ARE IN OKLAHOMA.

TO UNDERSTAND OUR POLITICS, TO UNDERSTAND THE SOCIETY AROUND US AND THE SUBURBS AND THE CITIES AND THE COUNTRY, WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THIS AGRICULTURAL FOUNDATION.

AND THAT IS THE FOUNDATION OF THE STORY OF THE ALL BLACK TOWNS IN OKLAHOMA.

>>> THE NEXT STOP ON OUR TOUR OF HISTORIC "BLACK FRONTIER TOWNS" TAKES US TO LOGAN COUNTY AND THE CITY OF LANGSTON.

TAELYR JACKSON WAS THERE FOR HOMECOMING WEEKEND, AND FILED HER REPORT IN MARCH.

AND SHE JOINS US NOW.

TAELYR?

>> BOTH THE UNIVERSITY AND THE TOWN ARE EXTREMELY PROUD OF THEIR SHARED HISTORY WHICH SPANS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

COMMUNITY LEADERS ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO GIVE LANGSTON A PROMISING FUTURE.

THE CITY WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1890.

126 YEARS LATER, THE BAND IS STILL PLAYING AND THE ALUMNI ARE STILL RETURNING FOR ANOTHER MUCH ANTICIPATED HOME COMING WEEKEND.

>> HOME COMING FOR US IS A WEEK LONG CELEBRATION OF DAILY CELEBRATION HONORING THE UNIVERSITY'S HISTORY AND ALSO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE AS WELL.

IMAGINE THE TOWN AND UNIVERSITY, ALL OF A SUDDEN ON FRIDAY TO SUNDAY, YOU GO FROM 2200 PEOPLE TO A MASS OF 15,000 MINIMUM IN BAD WEATHER.

>> AROUND HERE, IT'S LIKE A HOLIDAY.

YOU CAN GO, AND EVERYONE'S -- THEY HAVE COOKOUTS AND BARBECUES.

>> TO FEEL THE LOVE FROM THE ALUMNI, FROM THE PARADE EARLY IN THE MORNING ON TO THE TAILGATE.

>> THE HOME COMING PARADE ROUTE TRAVELS THROUGH THE HEART OF LANGSTON AND THE HEART OF CAMPUS.

THE NEWLY ELECTED MAYOR, SAYS THE MUDDY MONTHS DON'T STAY IN THE ECONOMY FOR LONG.

>> IT HAS A DOUBLE EDGED SWORD, BUT IT'S NOT MONEY THAT STAYS IN CIRCLES.

THAT'S THE KIND OF MONEY WE WANT TO STAY.

>> IN 2022, THE MAYOR CREATED AN ECONOMIC TEAM, TO INCREASE THE OPPORTUNITIES AND IMPROVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> WE HAVE A FEW GRANTS FOR DIFFERENT FUNDING FOR WATER AND HELP WITH THE WATER SYSTEM GET THE UPDATED.

AND WE ALSO HAVE RECEIVED ANOTHER GRANT THAT'S I BELIEVE JUST FOR THE HISTORICALLY BLACK TOWNS AND WE'RE PLANNING TO USE THAT AS WELL FOR INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM MEMBER JOHNSON SAYS HER TEAM CREATED THE PAVE THE WAY EFFORT.

>> A LOT OF THE STREETS HAVE BEEN EITHER THEY'VE BEEN ALWAYS BEEN GRAVEL OR OVER TIME, REALLY WORN DOWN.

>> THE CITY HAS RECEIVED SOME FUNDING TO HELP UPDATE THE INFRASTRUCTURE, IT'S STILL NOT ENOUGH.

>> BEING ABLE TO GET THE FUNDS, IT'LL TAKE TIME.

>> PART OF THE PUSH FOR OKLAHOMA BECOMING AN ALL BLACK STATE.

>> WENT TO WASHINGTON, DC AND LOBBIED TO HAVE OKLAHOMA TERRITORY BE AN ALL BLACK STATED.

OF COURSE, THOSE WHO SETTLED THE LAND WERE WHITE.

>> TO ADVERTISE LOTS TO SELL.

>> THEY STARTED NEWSPAPERS, AND THEY GO TO THE SOUTH AND RECRUIT AFRICAN-AMERICANS TO COME TO OKLAHOMA AND SETTLE THE LANDS.

>> THIS LED TO LANGSTON PROPERING IN THE 1890S.

BUT IN THE GREAT DEPRESSION, THE TOWN BEGAN TO SUFFER.

THE UNIVERSITY HELPED CARRY THE TOWN, BRINGING MORE PEOPLE TO THE AREA IN LATER YEARS.

LANGSTON IS HOME TO COUNCILMAN SCOTT FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS.

>> SHE WAS VERY VERY INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH LANGSTON.

>> WHEN I WAS IN BUSINESS I KEPT MY STORE OPEN, EVERY DAY.

EVEN ON SUNDAY.

THE KIDS BEAT ON THE DOOR.

IT'S TIME TO EAT CHICKEN WINGS.

BASICALLY JUST DECLINE.

>> BUT EVERYTHING CHANGED WHEN HIGHWAY 33 WAS REROUTED AROUND, BYPASSING THE DOWNTOWN CORRIDOR.

>> BUT SEARCH, EVERYTHING WENT DEAD.

WE DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH TRAFFIC.

>> THE TOWN TRIES TO REVITALIZE, TWO NEW BUSINESSES HAVE APPEARED.

THE HOME COOKING AND THE MAIN SUPPLY.

>> THAT'S ONLY A FEW ON CAMPUS KNOW.

A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM THE SURROUNDING AREAS, THEY WOULD BENEFIT GREATLY FROM KNOWING THEY DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO OKLAHOMA CITY TO GET AIR.

OR A BEAUTY PRODUCT.

>> THE COUNCILMAN SAYS THE CITY AND UNIVERSITY LEADERS MUST WORK TOGETHER TO BRING IN RESOURCES FOR LANGSTON.

>> NOW, BACK TO -- HE'S A VERY GOOD MAN.

WOOIR TRYING TO RE-- WE'RE TRYING TO REESTABLISH THE BRIDGE.

>> THE ONE CONSTANT IS THE UNIVERSITY.

ESTABLISHED IN 1897 AS A RESULT OF THE SECOND ACT OF 1890 THAT AUTHORIZED THE LAND GRAPT -- GRANTS FOR BLACKS.

>> MOST DON'T KNOW THEY WERE BORN OUT OF SEGREGATION.

>> WHILE CREATED TO SERVE PRIMARILY AFRICAN-AMERICANS, THEY HAVE ALWAYS ACCEPTED STUDENTS OF ALL RACES.

>> TO ME, HBCU SYMBOLIZES HOPE AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO BETTER YOURSELF AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT AFRICAN-AMERICANS AS A WHOLE, THERE'S A LOT OF DATA NOW OUT THERE, I TEND TO BELIEVE, WHICH SAYS LARGELY, HBCU IS PURELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BLACK MIDDLE CLASS.

>> IT'S GROWN IMMENSELY OVER THE YEAR.

>> IF YOU DON'T HAVE A ROAD MAP, ANY ROAD WILL TAKE YOU TO ANY DESTINATION.

ULTIMATELY, WE HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT OUR DESTINATION TO BE, AND WE'LL HAVE A ROAD MAP OF HOW WE BELIEVE WE'LL GET THERE.

BUT THE BEAUTY IN THE CAMPUS MASTER PLAN IS IT'S FLUID.

>> MANY NOTABLE AFRICAN-AMERICANS ATTENDED THE UNIVERSITY OR LIVED IN THE TOWN.

STANDING BEHIND ME, IS -- WHO'S PORTRAYED BY DENZEL WASHINGTON IN THE FILM, THE GREAT DEBATERS.

>> HE WAS A WRITER, IN FACT I READ ABOUT HIM.

IN FACT, HE WROTE SOME INFORMATION ABOUT AND THEN I CAME TO LANGSTON, I FIND OUT THE THAT HE'S HERE IN LANGSTON TEACHING AT UNIVERSITY, HE TAUGHT AT THE UNIVERSITY.

AND HE LIVED IN LANGSTON.

>> HE LEFT THE COLLEGE AND JOINED THE FACULTY IN 1947, TEACHING ENGLISH AND DRAMA UNTIL 1964.

>> I HAVE A -- NOW, AND USING IT TO THE CENTER FOR OUT OF SCHOOL PROGRAMS.

I SPOKE TO THE DOCTOR, DR. SMITH AND HE'S WILLING TO SUPPLY AND GIVE US MORE STUDENTS TO HELP THE KIDS WITH MATH, ENGLISH, WHATEVER.

>> OTHER NOTABLE AFRICAN-AMERICAN LEADERS WHO HAVE WALKED THESE HISTORIC STREETS -- THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO BE ADMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA'S COLLEGE OF LAW IN 1949.

THE FAMILY'S OWNING LAND IS A MAJOR PART OF THE HISTORY.

>> THE WHOLE STORY OF ITSELF.

>> DO NOT SELL.

WITH THE SCOTT FAMILY, THE LAST FAMILY DIED.

>> LANGSTON PUBLIC WORKS AUTHORITY RECEIVED A GRANT THIS SUMMER TO IMPROVE THE WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE TOWN IS STILL WORKING TO IMPROVE CITY ROADS.

RICH.

>>> THE TOWN OF RED BIRD- TWO WORDS-- HAS A FASCINATING HISTORY THAT INCLUDES TIES TO THE 1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE.

IN OCTOBER, STEVE SHAW PUT TOGETHER THIS STORY ABOUT THE SMALL, PRIDEFUL COMMUNITY IN WAGONER COUNTY.

STEVE?

>> RICH.THE TOWN OF RED BIRD ORIGINATED AS A SMALL SETTLEMENT IN THE LATE 1800'S.

LARGELY BECAUSE OF THOSE BLACK SETTLER'S PROFICIENCY IN AGRICULTURE.REDBIRD THRIVED FOR MANY DECADES.

THE SOURCE OF THEIR DECLINE WAS FAMILIAR.

.

>> WHICH ONE IS YOUR AUNT?

MY AUNT?

MY AUNT?

RIGHT HERE?

THAT'S LUDORA.

SHE'S STILL ALIVE?

SHE'S STILL ALIVE.

THAT'S THE ONE WHO IS 102.

>> DELMA SMITH WAS BORN IN >> DELMA SMITH WAS BORN IN RED BIRD ON NEW YEAR'S EVE.1932.

FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT HAD RECENTLY DEFEATED HERBERT HOOVER IN A LANDSLIDE IN RESPONSE TO THE GREAT DEPRESSION.

>> YES.

I WAS THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO THIS TOWN.

>> SMITH'S A WALKING ENCYCLOPEDIA WHEN IT COMES TO THIS PROUD LITTLE TOWN.

>> WE'RE HERE AND WE ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

WE'RE HERE.

I LOVE REDBIRD, SO I STILL LIVE ON LAND MY MOTHER AND FATHER PURCHASED IN THE 1940'S.

>> REDBIRD GOT ITS NAME AT LEAST PARTIALLY BECAUSE OF THE FACT THERE WERE SO MANY CARDINAL BIRDS.OR "REDBIRDS" IN THE AREA BACK IN THE DAY.

THE TOWN SITS ALONG THE MISSOURI KANSAS TEXAS OR M-K-T RAILROAD.34 MILES SOUTHEAST OF TULSA IN WAGNER COUNTY.

REDBIRD ONCE BOASTED A TRAIN STATION, TWO COTTON GINS, A LUMBER YARD, A BLACKSMITH, A SYRUP MILL, HOTELS.EVEN A CASKET FACTORY.

THE FIRST SCHOOL OPENED HERE IN 1913.

REDBIRD'S RICH HISTORY ALSO CAME WITH A LOT OF HEARTACHE.

DURING THE 1920 TULSA RACE MASSACRE, REDBIRD REPORTEDLY WAS THE FIRST BLACK TOWN.WHOSE RESIDENTS STOOD GUARD ON THE MKT RAILROAD TRACKS AND PROTECTED OTHER BLACKS WHO HAD FLED.AND FOUGHT BACK AGAINST THE RACISTS AND KILLERS WHO HAD DRIVEN THEM THERE.

IN THE EARLY 1920'S.AFTER HE'D BEEN EXCLUDED FROM VOTING IN A HANDFUL OF ELECTIONS.REDBIRD RESIDENT I.W.

LANE SUED FOR THAT RIGHT.

HE TOOK IT ALL OF THE WAY TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT AND WON THE HISTORIC CASE.

>> THANK GOD SOMEBODY FOUGHT FOR US.

>> 68-YEAR-OLD EDNA DAVIS IS DELMA DAVIS' DAUGHTER.

SHE SAYS SHE ALSO REMEMBERS THE KU KLUX KLAN BURNING DOWN HER GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE SIX DECADES AGO.

>> IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT SOMEBODY HERE COULDN'T VOTE.

IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT WHEN RACE RIOTS CAME OUT, THAT SOME OF MY NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS THAT I HAVE NOW GOT IN THE BACK OF A TRUCK AND THE CITY OF TULSA TURNED THEM AROUND AND SAID NO YOU CAN'T GO TO TULSA AND PROTEST, YOU GOT TO GO BACK TO REDBIRD.

AND KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT.

SOME OF THEM ARE STILL LIVING.

AND THAT STILL HURTS.

SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE IN THE WORLD WHO'D LIKE TO GO BACK TO THAT TIME.

YES.

THAT'S OUR HISTORY, AND WE PUT IT OUT SO PEOPLE CAN SEE.

>> BUT THERE WERE SO MANY GOOD MEMORIES.AND GOOD TIMES THAT FLOWED FROM THE TOWN OF REDBIRD TOO.

KEITH TYES IS REDBIRD BORN AND RAISED.

HE'S A NATIONAL GUARD VETERAN WHO WENT ON TO A 20-PLUS YEAR CAREER AS AN OVER THE ROAD HEAVY TRUCK DRIVER.AN ODYSSEY THAT TOOK HIM ALL OVER THE U.S, AND THEN SOME.

>> IT WAS AN EXPERIENCE.

I WAS YOUNG AND DUMB AND READY TO GO!

>> KEITH SAYS HE CAME BACK TO REDBIRD 12 YEARS AGO TO CARE FOR HIS DYING MOTHER.AND STAYED.

>> IT'S SPECIAL BECAUSE OF OUR UPBRINGINGS.

THINGS WE WERE RAISED TO LEARN AND DO.

CHILDREN NOW DAYS WON'T EVER GET TO EXPERIENCE IT.

AND THEY'LL NEVER HAVE THE RESPECT WHAT WE HAVE BECAUSE OF THE WAY WE WERE RAISED HERE IN REDBIRD.

THIS SMALL COMMUNITY HAS PUT OUT SOME GIANTS.

AND THEY COME FROM PEOPLE THAT LOVED US AND RAISED US WELL.

>> WE WERE RAISED TO RESPECT EACH OTHER TO WORK AND TO GO TO SCHOOL.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID.

EVERYBODY DISCIPLINED YOU WHEN YOU WERE WRONG.

YOU COULD GET THE BACK HAND HALLELUJAH FROM ANY ADULT THAT SAW YOU DOING SOMETHING OUT THERE YOU HAD NO BUSINESS.

>> DELMA SMITH SAYS REDBIRD'S POPULATION DECLINE BEGAN WHEN WORLD WAR TWO BEGAN.

MANY IN THE TOWN THAT ONCE BOASTED OVER THOUSAND.SOUGHT WORK IN LARGER POPULATION CENTERS.WHERE THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION OF GOOD PAYING INDUSTRIAL JOBS.BUT ALSO JOBS THAT EVENTUALLY DIED OUT.AND WENT AWAY.

>> THAT'S WHAT STARTED IT YES.

THAT'S WHAT STARTED IT.

STARTED THE MIGRATION.

>> MORE THAN EIGHT DECADES LATER, REDBIRD'S POPULATION HOVERS AROUND 160.

REDBIRD'S POST OFFICE OFFICIALLY CLOSED BACK IN 2014.

BUT THEY STILL MAKE DUE WITH A MAILROOM.

>> WE ALSO POST TOWN EVENTS IN THERE AS WELL.

>> DARRYL MOORE IS REDBIRD'S MAYOR.

>> I DON'T MIND HELPING OUT ANYBODY IN NEED AND I CONSIDER EVERYBODY IN REDBIRD MY FAMILY.

YOU'RE NOT MAYOR BECAUSE OF THE MONEY.

THAT WAS A GOOD ONE.

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

>> MAYOR MOORE SAYS THERE ARE SIGNS OF A REBIRTH IN REDBIRD.

IN THE PAST TEN YEARS.THE TOWN HAS USED SEVERAL GRANTS TO TRANSFORM WHAT USED TO BE A CONCRETE BASKETBALL COURT.INTO AN AIR CONDITIONED COMMUNITY CENTER.

>> WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HOST EVENTS JUST FOR THE TOWN WE HAVE HAD OUR CHRISTMAS PARTIES IN HERE THANKSGIVING GET TOGETHERS.

PEOPLE HAVE RENTED IT OUT FOR BIRTHDAY PARTIES, BABY SHOWERS.

PEOPLE HAVE USED IT FOR WAKES, FUNERALS BECAUSE THERE IS A CEMETERY OUT ON 181ST STREET.

JUST TOWN EVENTS WE HAVE HAD WE UTILIZE OUR PARK.

AND THIS IS A COOLING STATION.

UM IT'S MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO FOR THE TOWN.

>> THE OLD TOWN HALL BUILDING IS BEING RENOVATED INTO A MUSEUM.

REDBIRD WATER AND GAS SYSTEMS ARE BEING RENOVATED.AND THE MAYOR SAYS BUSINESSPEOPLE ARE KICKING THE TIRES ON VENTURES TO ESTABLISH A NEW THRIFT SHOP, BARBER SHOP AND MAYBE EVEN A NEW GROCERY STORE.

>> RIGHT.

YEAH WE'RE COMING BACK.

WE'RE COMING BACK.

SAY IT'S A SLOW PROCESS, BUT WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN.

>> MOORE SAYS EVEN TODAY REDBIRD DOESN'T FORGET AND DRAWS STRENGTH FROM I.W.

LANE.WHO'S NAME ALSO ADORNS STREET SIGNS HERE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S GOOD TO KNOW SOMEBODY FROM HERE CAN MAKE THAT CHANGE FOR EVERYONE.

IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING SOMEBODY HAS TO ALWAYS COME FROM SOMEWHERE TO MAKE A CHANGE, BUT NOBODY WILL DO IT.

SO FOR SOMEBODY TO NOT JUST STAND UP FOR THEMSELVES BUT FOR OTHERS, IT'S JUST INCREDIBLE.

>> AND BY THE WAY, DARRYL MOORE'S GRANDMOTHER IS DELMA SMITH.

RICH.

>>> THE "DUSK 'TIL DAWN" BLUES FESTIVAL" IS A SLICE OF "AMERICANA" THAT DRAWS PEOPLE FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD TO RENTIESVILLE EACH YEAR.

THE 34TH EDITION OF THE FESTIVAL IN 2024 WILL BE HELD AUGUST 31 THRU SEPTEMBER 2.

BUT THAT'S NOT THE ONLY ATTRACTION THAT MAKES A TRIP DOWN TO MCINTOSH COUNTY WELL WORTH YOUR TIME.

>> IT'LL BE $18.YOU DOIN' OKAY TODAY?

I'M FINE, HOW ARE YOU?

OHH.BETTER NOT COMPLAIN!

>> EVERY YEAR FOR THE LAST 32 YEARS, THIS TINY TOWN IN MCINTOSH COUNTY SWELLS IN SIZE TO ACCOMMODATE AN INTERNATIONAL GATHERING OF BLUES ENTHUSIASTS >> HELLO RENTIESVILLE.EVERYONE READY FOR DAY TWO OF THE 'DUSK TIL DAWN BLUES FESTIVAL'.

>> EVERYONE IS HAVING A GOOD TIME, IT'S JOYFUL, IT FILLS YOUR SOUL.

>> GIVE YOURSELF A HAND FOR BEING HERE ABOVE THE DIRT!

>> IT'S NOT JUST THE MUSIC, BUT THE MUSIC IS THE CORE BECAUSE PEOPLE COME AND THEY MEET NEW PEOPLE, PEOPLE THAT THEY WOULDN'T HAVE MET THAT MAY LIVE DOWN THE STREET FROM THEM, BUT THEY HAVEN'T MET PEOPLE FROM OTHER REGIONS, OTHER COUNTRIES.

>> IT TAKES PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR EVERYDAY NORMAL GRIND OF EIGHT TO FIVE, THAT HARD WORK, AND THEY'RE ABLE JUST TO RELAX, HAVE A GOOD TIME, ENJOY GOOD MUSIC, AND ENJOY FRIENDS AND FELLOWSHIP SO I THINK IT'S THE BEST WAY TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

>> MY HUSBAND, HE WAS BORN ON THIS PLACE IN 1935 AND HE WAS A BLUES GUY ALL THE WAY.

>> THEY HIT THE ROAD PLAYING A DOZEN YEARS OF ONE-NIGHT STANDS.

>> WE GOT BACK HOME AND IT WAS LIKE, MAYBE IF WE TAKE THE WALLS OUT OF THE HOUSE AND BUILD A BATHROOM AND A STAGE AND A BAR, MAYBE PEOPLE WILL DRIVE TO SEE US AFTER 12 YEARS ON THE ROAD.

>> THEY BUILT IT AND LO AND BEHOLD PEOPLE DID COME, AND ALONG THE WAY, SELBY ADDED THE OKLAHOMA BLUES HALL OF FAME.

>> WHIRLING DERVISH.

I'D SAY THAT.

WHIRLING DERVISH.

THIS WOMAN HAS A MAGNIFICENT AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE IN HER BRAIN.

SHE'S GOT, SHE'S GOT THE RECORD OF WHAT HAPPENED FOR 32 YEARS.

UH, THERE IS A ROOM OF THE MUSEUM HERE THAT TELLS ALL THE MUSICIANS FROM OKLAHOMA AND WHERE THEY HAVE, WHO THEY PLAYED WITH AND WHERE THEY PLAYED ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IN THE WHOLE WORLD.

>> SO JUST HOW LEGIT IS THIS BRAINCHILD OF SELBY AND D.C. MINNER?

>> WELL ACCORDING TO NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, IT WAS LISTED AS ONE OF THE TEN BEST BLUES FESTIVALS IN THE WORLD.IT'S AUTHENTIC.LISTEN!

>> THESE TOWNS ARE IMPORTANT FOR MANY REASONS, AND IT'S, THERE'S ONLY 13 OF THEM REALLY FUNCTIONAL A HUNDRED YEARS LATER.

AND IT'S AN IMPORTANT LEGACY OF ACCOMPLISHMENT AND PRIDE AND FAMILY AND WORKING TOWARD A BETTER FUTURE AND I'M VERY PLEASED TO BE PART OF THAT.

>> IN 1991, APRIL OF 1991, I WAS ELECTED AND I'VE BEEN IN OFFICE SINCE THEN.

>> MILDRED BURKHALTER HAS BEEN A "BIG PART OF IT" FOR THE LAST 31 YEARS, A 7-TERM MAYOR WHO'SE RUNNING FOR AN 8TH IN APRIL TO COMPLETE WHAT SHE CALLS, "UNFINISHED BUSINESS".

>> A GROCERY STORE, MAYBE A DOLLAR GENERAL STORE THAT, THAT HAVE BEEN ON MY BACK BURNER FOR YEARS.

WE WOULD LIKE A GIFT SHOP.

WE WOULD LIKE OUR POST OFFICE BACK HERE IN RENTIESVILLE.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE GOALS.

>> THE CURRENT POPULATION IS ABOUT 130- DON'T LET THAT OLD SIGN OUT BY THE HIGHWAY FOOL YOU.

SANFORD NERO, IS ONE OF THEM.

>> I'M LIVING NOW PROBABLY ABOUT, ABOUT A HALF A MILE FROM WHERE I WAS BORN, , AND I WAS RAISED ABOUT THREE QUARTERS OF MILE FROM WHERE I WAS BORN, SO A SMALL LITTLE CIRCLE THERE.

>> NERO DID LEAVE RENTIESVILLE FOR A FEW YEARS WHEN HE JOINED THE MILITARY, BUT HE CAME BACK, BOUGHT SOME LAND ACROSS THE STREET FROM SELBY MINNER'S BLUES CLUB AND HAS LIVED HAPPILY EVERY AFTER.

>> IN A SENSE, THE LITTLE TOWNS HAVE BEEN FORGOTTEN MORE OR LESS, YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE THERE, THEY'RE SURVIVORS AND, AND THEY ENJOY THEIR WAY OF LIFE.

I THINK RENTIESVILLE IS ONE OF THE BEST KEPT SECRETS AROUND.

IT WOULD MAKE IT CONVENIENT IF IT DIDN'T HAVE TO GO FIVE MILES TO, TO GET A GALLON, THE MILK, YOU KNOW, BUT, BUT I KIND LIKE THE, THE, THE WAY IT IS.

>> RENTIESVILLE WAS FOUNDED IN 1902 AND INCORPORATED A YEAR LATER.

>> RENTISVILLE WAS NAMED AFTER WILLIAM RENTY BECAUSE HE HAD NO CHILDREN AT THE TIME THAT KNOWN CHILDREN AT THE TIME, AND THEY WANTED HIS LEGACY TO LIVE ON.

>> IT WAS ACTUALLY STARTED BY LEADERS THAT CAME FROM, YOU KNOW, THE SOUTH SAW A NEED TO DEVELOP THE COMMUNITY AND THE TOWN FOR, YOU KNOW, BLACK CITIZENS BECAUSE OF SEGREGATION AND SO FORTH.

SO IT WAS LIKE HAVING YOUR OWN LITTLE UTOPIA.

>> MY NAME HERBERT HOOVER JONES.

>> NAMED AFTER A PRESIDENT, I'M ASSUMING?

>> YES.

>> HOW OLD ARE YOU, HERBERT?

>> I'M 90 RIGHT NOW.

>> HERBERT WAS BORN IN RENTISVILLE IN 1931 AND LIKE SANFORD NERO, HE SERVED HIS COUNTRY IN THE MILITARY, 8 YEARS IN THE ARMY AND THREE MORE IN THE RESERVES.

HE SPENT THE MAJORITY OF HIS WORKING LIFE IN WICHITA, KANSAS.

>> I COULDN'T LIVE IN THE CITY, THERE WAS JUST TOO MUCH VIOLENCE, AND TOO MUCH GOING ON, GANG MEMBERS AND ALL THAT, IT WAS JUST TOO MUCH GOING ON >> AND SO, AT THE AGE OF 62, HE TOOK EARLY RETIREMENT AND RETURNED TO RENTIESVILLE FOR GOOD.

>> WHEN I RETIRED, I HAD A PLACE TO COME TO.

>> THAT PLACE IS FIVE OR SIX ACRES WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE MUSIC HE LOVES.

>> BLUES TOLD A STORY.

IT REALLY DID.

YOU TOLD THE WAY PEOPLE FEEL AND HOW THEY FELT AND WHAT THEY WAS GOING TO DO AND WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO.

YOU KNOW, IT JUST, IT JUST TOTALLY LIFE STORY.

LONG BEFORE THE DRUM FILLS, THE SOUND OF CANNON FIRE FILLED THE AIR, HERE, LESS THAN A QUARTER MILE FROM THE FESTIVAL GROUNDS.

IT WAS HERE THAT THE BLUES.AND THE GRAYS, MET ON THE BATTLEFIELD, IN A BATTLE THAT WAS UNLIKE ANY OTHER IN THE HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR.

>> ON JULY 17, 1863 THE BATTLE OF HONEY SPRINGS WAS FOUGHT, AND IT DOESN'T OFTEN HAPPEN THAT HISTORY CHANGES ON ONE DAY IN ONE PLACE.

IN THIS CASE IT DID.

AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, HISTORY WAS CHANGED AND THEREAFTER THE CONTROL OF THE INDIAN TERRITORY WAS WITH THE UNION.

>> DR. BOB BLACKBURN WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING THE HONEY SPRINGS BATTLEFIELD VISITORS CENTER BUILT AND OPENED LAST NOVEMBER.

THE INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS INSIDE TELL THE STORY OF A BLOODY CONFLICT BETWEEN THE UNION AND CONFEDERATE FORCES.

>> THE UNION ARMY HAD ABOUT 4,000 TROOPS, MET A CONFEDERATE ARMY OF ABOUT 8,000, AND THE MAJORITY OF ALL OF THE TROOPERS, WERE INDIAN, SPLIT PRETTY EVENLY ON EACH SIDE, CHEROKEES FIGHTING CHEROKEES, MUSCOGEES, CREEKS, FIGHTING EACH OTHER.

>> AND FIGHTING RIGHT BESIDE THEM ON THE UNION SIDE.BLACK SOLDIERS FROM THE "FIRST KANSAS COLORED REGIMENT.

>> THERE WAS MORE THAN JUST A VICTORY ON THEIR MINDS, IT WAS NOT JUST ABOUT STATES RIGHTS, IT WAS NOT EVEN ABOUT FIGHTING SLAVERY, IT WAS ABOUT THEIR VERY FREEDOM.

IF THEY HAD BEEN CAUGHT THAT DAY ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN EXECUTED AS RUNAWAY SLAVES.

THEY WERE FIGHTING FOR THEIR VERY EXISTENCE.

>> AND FIGHT THEY DID, WITH FEROCITY AND BRAVERY, AND EVENTUALLY SUCCESS.

>> THEY SACRIFICED SO MUCH, JUST, JUST TO SERVE TO GAIN THEIR FREEDOM, FAMILY MEMBERS FREEDOM, BUT ULTIMATELY TO SAVE AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, TO SAVE THIS COUNTRY, THIS, THIS PERFECT, THIS MORE PERFECT UNION.

>> WE UNDERSTAND HOW THIS BATTLE WAS PIVOTAL IN TERMS OF A UNION ARMY WINNING THE CIVIL WAR,WAS PIVOTAL IN TURNING THE NATION'S ATTENTION, UH, IN FAVOR OF BLACK SOLDIERS.

AND WE KNOW THAT THERE WERE 180 THOUSAND BLACK SOLDIERS THAT FOUGHT IN THE CIVIL WAR.

>> WHEN THE CIVIL WAR ENDED, THE FIVE TRIBES WERE FORCED TO SIGN THE INFAMOUS TREATY OF 1865, A TREATY THAT EVENTUALLY LED TO THE CREATION OF OKLAHOMA'S ALL-BLACK COMMUNITIES.

>> WELL AFTER THE WAR THE FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES WERE FORCED TO TREAT THEIR SLAVES AND THEIR DESCENDANTS AS CITIZENS.

>> THEY WERE GOING TO GET LAND AT THE TIME OF ALLOTMENT AND WHEN THEY GOT THAT LAND THAT MEANT THEY COULD BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY, THEY COULD START BUILDING WEALTH AND THEY COULD RAISE THEIR FAMILIES AND PROSPER IN THE INDIAN TERRITORY.

>> THIRTEEN YEARS AFTER THE TOWN'S BIRTH IN 1902, ITS MOST FAMOUS CITIZEN WAS BORN.

JOHN HOPE FRANKLIN.

>> AN AMERICAN HERO WHO BECAME AN HISTORIAN, THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN PHD FROM HARVARD, WHO WROTE A BOOK, "FROM SLAVERY TO FREEDOM", THAT CAPTURES HIS EXPERIENCE.

AND THE STRUGGLE THEY'VE HAVE HAD EVER SINCE THEY'VE BEEN HERE.

>> 76 YEARS AFTER FRANKLIN'S BIRTH, RENTIESVILLE'S SECOND MOST FAMOUS CITIZEN, D.C. MINNER, AND HIS WIFE SELBY, DEBUTED THE INAGUERAL "DUSK TIL DAWN" BLUES FESTIVAL.AND THE REST IS SMALL TOWN MUSIC HISTORY AT ITS FINEST.

>> I BELIEVE THAT THE BLUES FESTIVAL HAS KEPT RENTIESVILLE ON THE MAP AS WELL, BECAUSE WHEN YOU MENTION THE BLUES FESTIVAL AND WHERE IT'S LOCATED EVERYBODY, YES, I KNOW THAT PLACE.

YOU KNOW, SO IT, IT IS BEEN WONDERS FOR RENTIESVILLE.

YOU KNOW, IT WAS LIKE ONCE THE DOOR WAS, HAS BEEN SHUT ON US, BUT NOW IT'S BEING OPENED AGAIN.

PEOPLE ARE BECOMING MORE AWARE OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE ALL-BLACK TOWNS.

YOU KNOW, WE JUST WANT TO STAY VITALIZED, KEEP THE HISTORY GOING, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF RICH HISTORY, YOU KNOW, WITHIN THESE LITTLE SMALL BLACK TOWNS, HOW THEY WERE.

>>> BACK IN SEPTEMBER, JOEL FILOMENO TRAVELED TO BROOKSVILLE IN POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY.

TO REPORT ON A TOWN WITH A STORIED PAST AND A YEARNING FOR REVITALIZATION-- AND IN FACT, THE TOWN'S POPULATION HAS GROWN BASED ON THE LASTEST U.S. CENSUS FIGURES.

HERE'S JOEL WITH AN ENCORE PRESENTATION OF THAT STORY.

>> THE TOWN OF BROOKSVILLE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1903 .AS THE TOWN OF SEWELL NAMED AFTER A WHITE DOCTOR WHO OWNED LAND NEAR THE CURRENT TOWN'S SITE.

THE ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN RESIDENT TO THE AREA SPURRED THE NAME CHANGE TO BROOKSVILLE.

THAT MAN WAS A.R.

BROOKS A COTTON BUYER AND FARMER.

THE TOWN'S MAYOR CHARLES CARTHEN SAYS BROOKSVILLE WAS BUSTLING WITH BUSINESS DURING ITS EARLY DAYS.

>> I'VE BEEN AT WHILE 60,80 YEARS, BUT BACK IN THE DAY THEY HAD A TRAIN STATION, GROCERY STORE.

IT WAS A BOOMING TOWN BACK THEN.

>> LIKE SEVERAL OTHER HISTORIC BLACK TOWNS, COTTON FARMING WAS PREVALENT, WITH STUDENT WORKERS TRANSPORTED IN AND OUT OF TOWN VIA TRAIN AT HARVEST TIME.

>> THEY HAD A, I BELIEVE WAS A COTTON AND A TRAIN COME BY AND THAT THEY WOULD TAKE OUT ALL SO MANY WEEKS OF SCHOOL WERE SHUT DOWN AND THEY WOULD GO TO COTTON FIELD AND, AND PICK COTTON.

AND THEN WHEN THE COTTON PICKING GET DONE, THEY WOULD COME BACK TO SCHOOL.

>> HE SAYS THE TOWN ALSO USED TO HAVE A SMALL GROCERY STORE AND A POST OFFICE.

>> A GUY NAMED ARTHUR HICKS HAD >> BROOKSVILLE HAD TWO DOCTORS, TWO MILLS, AND LIKE MANY OTHER TOWNS A CHURCH STANDING TALL ON A HILL.

THAT CHURCH IS ST. JOHN BAPTIST CHURCH AND WAS ORGANIZED BY JEDSON WHITE IN 1906.

TO THIS DAY SERVICES DRAW THE TOWNSPEOPLE EVERY SUNDAY.

>> EVERYONE HERE WAS JUST LIKE A FAMILY.

THEY WERE ALWAYS SMILING, ALWAYS LOVING, AND ALWAYS WARMING.

>> PASTOR VINCENT ROLAND HAS SERVED AS THE MAIN PASTOR AT ST. JOHN'S FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS.

>> I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THEM ASKING IF I WOULD TAKE HOLD OF THE MINISTRY IN REGARDS TO BEING PASTOR HERE AT THE ST. JOHN BAPTIST CHURCH, BROOKSVILLE, JUST MEETING THEM JUST FROM THE START, EVEN JUST COMING AS A VISITING MINISTER, FILLING IN MINISTER.

IT WAS JUST THE LOVE AND THE SUPPORT AND THE ENCOURAGEMENT THAT THEY HAD.

>> AFTER MORE THAN A CENTURY, ST JOHN'S BAPTIST CHURCH CONTINUES TO BE A FOCAL POINT FOR BROOKSVILLE.

>> WE'RE GETTING READY TO CELEBRATE 116 YEARS HERE IN OCTOBER.

AND SO YOU COULD JUST TELL FROM THAT HOW LONG THIS CHURCH HAS BEEN HERE, BEEN A BEACON OF THIS COMMUNITY.

IN FACT, DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC, THE CHURCH ACTED AS A HUB TO DISTRIBUTE NEEDED SUPPLIES.

>> DURING THE COVID SEASON, WE WERE HANDING OUT FOOD AND, AND, AND SUPPLIES TO THOSE WHO NEEDED IT DURING THAT TIME, YOU, YOU REMEMBER THAT TIME.

>> MAYOR CARTHEN A MEMBER OF THE ST JOHNS CHURCH BROUGHT IN FOOD FROM OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> WE WOULD ANNOUNCE IT HERE AT ST. JOHN EACH AND EVERY SUNDAY MORNING.

SO THOSE WHO NEEDED FOOD, CANNED GOODS, FRUIT, JUST SUPPLIES ALL OF THAT.

ST. JOHN BAPTIST CHURCH WAS HERE SUPPLYING THAT THROUGH THE, THROUGH THE MINISTRY AND THE CONNECTION WITH BROOKSVILLE MAYOR AND AND TOWN HALL.

>> PASTOR LEE OLIVER SERVED AS BOTH THE PASTOR OF ST. JOHN BAPTIST, AND AS THE TOWN'S MAYOR.

>> KATHRYN OLIVER, PASTOR OLIVER'S WIDOW, SAYS HER HUSBAND WAS THE MAYOR OF BROOKSVILLE FROM 1972 UNTIL HIS PASSING IN 2015.

AFTER HE WON ELECTION THE FIRST TIME HE GOT THE TOWN OFFICIALLY INCORPORATED WHICH LED TO GRANTS TO HELP BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> THE FIRST THING THAT HE'D DONE, HE, WE GOT GRANTS FOR THE WATER SYSTEM, WHICH WE DIDN'T HAVE WATER OTHER THAN WELL WATER FOR EACH RESIDENT HERE IN THE CITY.

WE GOT THAT DONE.

>> MAYOR OLIVER ALSO HELPED MAINTAIN AND ADD BUILDINGS TO BROOKSVILLE.

>> HE ALSO GOT GRANTS TO HELP BLACKTOP, THE ROLL FROM THE HIGHWAY ALL THE WAY INTO BROOKSVILLE THAT WE WAS DRIVING IN MUD IN.

SO WE GOT THAT ALL TAKEN CARE OF.

WE GOT GRANTS TO DO THE CITY HALL, THE COMMUNITY CENTER.

>> BROOKSVILLE ALSO HAD A SMALL SCHOOL BUILT IN 1924 CALLED THE BANNEKER SCHOOL.

IT HAD FOUR LARGE ROOMS, A THREE HUNDRED SEAT AUDITORIUM, A SMALL LIBRARY, AND A SCIENCE ROOM.

>> WE JUST SCHOOLED HERE RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO HERE BEFORE SCHOOL, ELEMENTARY, KINDERGARTEN THROUGH SEVENTH STREET.

EIGHTH GRADE, IT SHUT DOWN IN SIXTH, EIGHT WHEN THEY INTEGRATED SCHOOLS AND EVERYONE WENT TO MACOMB.

>> ONE OF THE TEACHERS AT THE BANNEKER SCHOOL WAS A HISTORY MAKER HIMSELF.

GEORGE MCLAURIN WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN ADMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA.

>> HE ALSO CLEARLY BELIEVED THAT EDUCATION WAS THE WAY THAT AFRICAN-AMERICANS COULD RISE IN AMERICA.

>>UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA PROFESSOR DAVID LEVY WROTE A BIOGRAPHY ABOUT MCLAURIN'S EXPERIENCE BEING ADMITTED TO OU, ENTITLED "BREAK DOWN BARRIER: GEORGE MCLAURIN AND THE STRUGGLE TO END SEGREGATED EDUCATION."

CIVIL RIGHTS PIONEER ADA SIPEUL FISCHER HELPED PAVE THE WAY FOR MCLAURIN'S CHALLENGE TO SEGREGATION AT OU.

AN EARLIER >> THE UNIVERSITY HAD TO NAVIGATE BETWEEN THE STATE INSISTENCE THAT THE RACES BE SEPARATED AND THE FEDERAL INSISTENCE THROUGH THE COURT THAT YOU, IF YOU'RE GONNA TEACH WHITES, YOU HAVE TO TEACH BLACKS.

>> MCLAURIN WAS FORCED TO SIT BEHIND BARRIERS AND SIT IN THE BACK DURING LECTURES AT OU.

>> MARSHALL TOOK THAT TO THE SUPREME COURT AND THAT WAS UNANIMOUSLY AGREED IN JUNE, ON JUNE 5TH, 1950, THAT YOU CAN'T DO THAT.

>> IT WAS A UNANIMOUS 9-0 RULING THAT RACIAL SEGREGATION IN EDUCATION WOULD BE PROHIBITED.

>> A VERY DIVIDED COURT.

LIKE TODAY'S, THEY AGREED ON NOTHING AND, AND IN FACT, IT'S NOT TOO MUCH TO SAY THEY HATED EACH OTHER, BUT ON THIS QUESTION, THERE WAS UNANIMITY AND IT LASTED.

>> THE U.S. SUPREME COURT WOULD STRIKE DOWN SEGREGATION ALTOGETHER WITH THE FAMOUS BROWN VS THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CASE IN 1954.

THE ORIGINAL BUILDING GEORGE MCLAURIN TAUGHT AT BURNED IN A FIRE BEFORE THE 1960S THE SITE BEHIND ME NOW STANDS AS THE TOWN'S COMMUNITY CENTER.

>> WE'D GO IN THERE AND THAT'S WHAT THAT WAS LIKE, WHERE WE DID OUR ACTIVITIES AND, AND PLAYED IN THERE.

AND THEN I GUESS AS THE YEARS WENT ON, THE GYM FINALLY STARTED KIND OF DETERIORATING AND FALLING APART.

>> THE GYM WAS DEMOLISHED BECAUSE OF ITS CRUMBLING CONDITION AFTER THE SCHOOLS' CLOSURE IN 1968.

WILSON SAYS MANY YOUNG PEOPLE, INCLUDING HER SON TJ, LEFT TOWN LURED BY THE TEMPTATIONS OF BIG CITY LIFE.

>> THE YOUNGER GENERATION GOT TO THE PLACE WHERE THEY FELT LIKE IT WASN'T ENOUGH ACTION AROUND, THEY WANTED TO GO TO BIGGER CITIES AND, AND SO THEY ALL JUST STARTED MOVING OFF.

AT THE TURN OF THE 21ST CENTURY BROOKSVILLE HAD 90 RESIDENTS, BUT BY 2010 THAT NUMBER HAD DROPPED TO JUST 63.

>> TJ RETURNED HOME IN 2021.AFTER THE PASSING OF HIS GRANDMOTHER.

TODAY HE WATCHES OVER THE SAME PROPERTY HIS ANCESTORS DID.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHEN, EVEN WHEN I LEFT, LIKE I JUST, I, I CAME BACK, HAD TO, IT'S JUST, IT'S A PART OF ME.

I FEEL LIKE IT'S JUST IN ME.

I LOVE THIS PLACE.

>> TJ WOULD LIKE TO SEE A NEW PARK FOR HIS KIDS BUILT WHERE THE OLD SCHOOL GYM ONCE STOOD.

>> LIKE IF WE COULD GET LIKE THE LITTLE OLD SCHOOL DOWN HERE AND WE CAN MAKE THAT INTO LIKE A PARK OR SOMETHING FOR LIKE, THE KIDS AROUND HERE THAT CAN, THEY CAN DO SOMETHING INSTEAD OF LIKE GO OUTSIDE AND GO IN THE BACKYARD AND RUN AROUND IN GRASS AND STUFF.

LIKE HAVE OUR OWN LITTLE PARK RIGHT HERE.

LIKE, THAT'D BE KIND OF NEAT.

>> MAYOR CARTHEN SAYS THE CITY NEEDS TO UPGRADE IT'S RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.

>> A BUILDING PUT BACK DOWN HERE WHERE THE OLD GYM, SO WE COULD HAVE A, A RECREATION CENTER, BUT THE YOUNGER KIDS THAT WE GOT COMING UP AND THEY, EVEN THE OLDER PEOPLE THAT LIKE TO GET OUT AND SHOOT A LITTLE B-BALL AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

>> PASTOR ROLAND SAYS BROOKSVILLE MAY BE POISED TO GROW AGAIN, AND WILL ALWAYS BE A WELCOMING PLACE.

>> IT IS CONTINUING TO THRIVE, CONTINUING TO STAND STRONG.

AND SO THE PEOPLE HERE, THEY ALWAYS WAVE AT YOU, SAY HELLO, ALWAYS WANT TO TALK TO YOU.

>>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT"-- OUR FIRST NEWSCAST OF 2024!

AND IT WILL FEATURE OUR NEXT REPORT ON OKLAHOMA'S "BLACK FRONTIER TOWNS".

VERNON, OKLAHOMA-- THE ONE-TIME HOME TO A MAN WHO PLAYED ON ONE OF THE GREATEST COLLEGE BASKETBALL TEAMS IN TULSA HISTORY.

>> MY MOM ALWAYS ENJOYED THE FACT OF ME PLAYING BASKETBALL, BUT SHE ALWAYS STRESSED EDUCATION.

MY GRANDMOTHER WAS A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER, SUBSTITUTE TEACHER, AND JUST THE IDEA OF BEING ABLE TO SAY READ AND WRITE WAS PROBABLY MORE THAN WAY MORE THAN IMPORTANT TO HER THAN ME EVER DUNKING A BASKETBALL.

MY HEART WAS ALWAYS HERE FROM THE TIME I MOVED HERE AS A KID, JUST BEING ABLE TO SAY, KEEP THE FAMILY HOUSE OPEN.

SO WHEN WE HAVE OUR FAMILY REUNIONS, OUR PEOPLE HAVE A PLACE TO COME HOME TO.

THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF VERNON, OKLAHOMA-- NEXT FRIDAY AT 7PM.

AND KEEP IN MIND- ALL 12 OF THE REPORTS WE'VE AIRED CAN BE VIEWED BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE, OETA.TV, OR SEARCHING "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT" ON YOUTUBE.

WE'LL LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT THE OKLAHOMA CITY ZOO'S "SAFARI LIGHTS" PUT TOGETHER FOR US BY O.E.T.A.

'S BRANDON DOWNEY.

FOR ALL OF US WHO PLAY A ROLE IN PUTTING THIS NEWSCAST ON THE AIR EACH WEEK, I'M RICH LENZ.

GOOD NIGHT.

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