February 20 …

The town of Clearview in Oklahoma is one of Oklahoma’s historic All-Black towns and is notable for its roles in Black landownership, education, and community self-determination.

Clearview was founded in 1903 by J.A. Roper, Lemuel (LaMel) Jackson, and John Grayson, who established the Lincoln Townsite Company to promote settlement among Freedmen along the Fort Smith & Western Railroad. A post office, initially named Lincoln, opened on February 20, 1904.

The town experienced rapid growth, housing several hundred residents by 1907. Early establishments included a brick school, two churches, a hotel, a print shop, the Lincoln Tribune (later the Clearview Patriarch), a sawmill, and agricultural enterprises tied to the local cotton industry.

Key figures like Roper, Jackson, and Grayson — who served as the town’s first postmaster — were instrumental in shaping Clearview’s early economy and civic landscape. Local leaders and educators also supported nearby institutions like the Creek and Seminole Agricultural College and the town’s schools.

Primarily settled by Creek Freedmen and migrants from the Deep South in search of land and opportunity, Clearview’s population peaked in the early 20th century, but saw a decline during the Great Depression and mid-20th century, particularly after the railroad’s closure in 1937. In recent years, the town has remained a close-knit community of a few dozen residents dedicated to maintaining churches, community events, and an annual rodeo.

Clearview’s cultural legacy is highlighted by its role in Black rural self-governance and local education, especially through its brick school and later community center, as well as its commitment to preserving African American heritage. Today, the town houses the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame and continues to celebrate traditions that draw in descendants and visitors alike.

Despite enduring economic hardships during the Depression and the loss of rail service, the town of Clearview in Oklahoma is recognized among Oklahoma’s historic All-Black towns, celebrated for its contributions to Black land ownership, education, and community resilience.