# Clearview, Oklahoma

Clearview is a town in Okfuskee County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 41 at the 2020 Census. It was historically an all-black freedmen's town and was platted by the Lincoln Townsite Company and designated as Lincoln.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.2 square miles (0.52 km$^2$), all land.

## Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 56 people, 24 households, and 13 families residing in the town. The population density was 320.7 inhabitants per square mile (123.8/km$^2$). There were 34 housing units at an average density of 194.7 per square mile (75.2/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the town was 7.14% White, 75.00% African American, 12.50% Native American, and 5.36% from two or more races.
There were 24 households, out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 29.2% were married couples living together, 20.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.8% were non-families. 45.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 41.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 3.31.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 16.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 75.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $16,250, and the median income for a family was $22,500. Males had a median income of $62,500 versus $16,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,607. There were 20.0% of families and 40.7% of the population living below the poverty line, including 52.9% under eighteen and 58.3% over 64.

## History

Clearview, Oklahoma, was founded in 1903 prior to statehood by J.A. Roper, Lemuel Jackson, and John Grayson, who established the Lincoln Townsite Company to attract Black settlers. Located along the Fort Smith and Western Railroad, Clearview was part of the Black Town Movement, which provided African Americans opportunities for landownership, self-governance, and economic independence. This migration to Oklahoma was driven by the desire to escape the oppressive Jim Crow laws of the American South. Agriculture quickly became its economic backbone.
1903, the Abe Lincoln Trading Company opened, serving as the town's primary trading post and commercial center. It provided local farmers with farming supplies, household goods, and building materials; Clearview's agricultural economy was primarily based on cotton farming, which became its residents' primary income source. Along with cotton, other essential crops such as corn, beans, and vegetables were cultivated, creating local food security and supporting a robust agricultural economy. As the town developed, Clearview established other institutions. The Clearview Brick Factory was established in the 1900s, providing bricks for constructing homes, businesses, and community buildings.
The Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame celebrates the work of Black educators who have contributed to education in Clearview and similar communities. This institution not only preserves the legacy of these trailblazers but also serves as a cultural and educational hub for the region. According to data from The Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame, the Hall of Fame welcomes approximately over 100 visitors annually, highlighting its role as a prominent attraction and resource for those seeking to learn about the rich history of African American education.