Okfuskee County: Discover History, Culture, and Nature

Okfuskee County lies in the Sandstone Hills physiographic region. The river courses also provide clear landmarks: the Deep Fork of the Canadian River drains the county’s northeastern corner; the North Canadian River forms the boundary with Seminole County to the south. Explore the landscape and history here at specific sites and bodies of water.

History and Local Sites

Greenleaf was established in the 1830s as a Creek tribal town within what is now Okfuskee County. Boley was founded in 1903 as a camp for Black railroad construction workers. Clearview was also founded in 1903, along the route of the Fort Smith and Western Railroad. Both towns are among Oklahoma’s 13 remaining African American towns; their founding stories highlight different aspects of labor and railroads. Another local distinction is Paden: it is the only town in Oklahoma named after a deputy U.S. marshal.

The Okfuskee County Courthouse was built in 1926 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Okfuskee County Historical Society & Museum is housed in a 1926 Masonic temple. Exhibits and displays focus on the county’s past; the collection also includes numerous early photographs from the area.

In Boley, the Historical Museum is located in a house dating to 1929. It contains numerous artifacts from the town’s early years as an African American town in Oklahoma. The Farmers & Merchants Bank is also part of the town’s history: the building was originally constructed in 1906 and rebuilt in the 1920s. Pretty Boy Floyd’s gang once tried to rob the bank, but citizens stopped them. Boley Tours offers a guided tour of the area to explore Boley’s history; it is best to confirm the date in advance.

Woody Guthrie and Events

Woody Guthrie was born in Okemah on July 14, 1912. Two historical markers at the Woody Guthrie memorial mark his birthplace and hometown. For more than 20 years, artists, songwriters, and folk music lovers from around the world have gathered at WoodyFest, which takes place on Woody Guthrie’s birthday. The festival runs for four consecutive days and includes live performances, activities, and community events, as well as storytelling events, spoken word, panel discussions, and workshops.

Okemah Pioneer Days also offers a variety of events, including rodeo and historical reenactments, as well as parades, fair attractions, food trucks, and carousels. Boley hosts the oldest African American community-sponsored rodeo every Memorial Day weekend. If you’re planning a trip around a festival, check the latest dates and program details in advance. Okemah is located on Interstate 40, providing a clear landmark for your journey.

Landscape and Activities

The Deep Fork Wildlife Management Area covers 12,820 acres in southern Creek County and northern Okfuskee County. Its habitats include forested floodplains, old fields, native prairies, and stands of post oak and blackjack oak. The Deep Fork of the Canadian River is home to numerous channel catfish and flathead catfish. The described habitats and fish species also make the area appealing to travelers who want to include nature and waterways in their trip plans.

A public park at Okemah Lake offers fishing, swimming, boating, and camping. There are 18 RV sites with water and electrical hookups, as well as several primitive sites. The park also has two boat ramps and an accessible boat dock. Since facilities can change, check the latest information before your visit. The Okemah Golf Club is another recreational option: its nine-hole course has bentgrass greens, Bermuda grass fairways, and three water hazards.

For planning, you can weigh the county’s different attractions: historic sites and museums, events in Boley and Okemah, or activities around Okemah Lake and the Deep Fork Wildlife Management Area. This lets you choose your travel dates based on the experiences that interest you most.

Discover more destinations: Okemah, Okmulgee County, Bryan County, Cimarron County, Grady County, Woodward County, Atoka County, Delaware County.

For the broader travel overview: Oklahoma.