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BRYAN COUNTY HISTORY: Oberlin, an all-black town
Bryan County Genealogy Library
Most All-Black towns were created in Oklahoma when former slaves of the five civilized tribes were granted allotments of forty acres. Most chose to live near other African Americans for security and fellowship. They formed communities with churches, schools, businesses, and newspapers. As they grew larger and more established, they advertised in the “states” for other freed slaves to join them. Many of those migrating to the Territory participated in the land run of 1889. From 1865 to 1920 African Americans created at least fifty identifiable towns. Some lasted only a few years, and others couldn’t survive the depression years.