Town History
Rentiesville, founded in 1903 and developed on twenty acres owned by William Rentie and twenty acres owned by Phoebe McIntosh, is located in McIntosh County five miles north of Checotah. The community is one of more than fifty All-Black towns in Oklahoma and one of thirteen still existing. Rev. N. A. Robinson, I. J. Foster, W. D. Robinson, and Rentie organized the townsite company with Robinson serving as president. J. J. Hudson opened the first mercantile business and became the first postmaster when the post office opened on May 11, 1904. B. C. Franklin followed Hudson as postmaster. By this time, as a flag stop on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway, the town had five businesses along Main Street, and eighty-one children were enrolled in the school. In 1905 the community elected F. P. Brinson as the first mayor, and Robinson succeeded Brinson in 1909. William Rentie, the town's only lawman, arrested Garfield Walker for drunkenness and disorderly conduct in 1908. Walker later shot and killed Rentie for revenge, taking away not only the marshal but also a principal founder and namesake. The town recovered and prospered for a time, boasting a lumber store, cotton gin, and many thriving businesses.
The Great Depression and lure of opportunities in urban centers caused an exodus of citizens from Rentiesville. By the late 1930s the population dwindled to 154, and the 1990 census reported 66 residents. A population boom occurred, with 102 residents by 2000 and 128 by 2010. The site of the Civil War Battle of Honey Springs is only a half-mile east of town. A noted attraction is the Down Home Blues Club of nationally famed Blues artist D. C. Minner. Every Labor Day weekend Minner hosts the Dusk 'til Dawn Blues Festival in the town. Rentiesville is also the birthplace of Dr. John Hope Franklin, dean of African American historians and author of the award-winning book From Slavery to Freedom.
Local Business
Rentiesville Cottages
Text Only - (918)913-2491
Down Home Blues Club
Text Only - (918)855-0978
Sam's BBQ
(918)843-0084
samsfamousbbq@yahoo.com
P-N-S BBQ
(918)843-9442
Honey Springs Battlefield and Museum
Meet The Mayor
Mildred Burkhalter
Mildred Hemphill Burkhalter was born in Pierce, Oklahoma. At the age of nine her family moved to Rentiesville, Oklahoma. Mildred is the youngest of six children. Her loving parents were Alton and Pauline (Greenleaf) Hemphill. She realized at an early age that education is one of the major factors to success. She graduated from Checotah High School in 1973. Following high school Mildred has received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from Northeastern State University at Tahlequah, OK, as well as a Masters in Education from East Central University at Ada, and a second Masters in Educational Technology from East Central University at Ada. Mildred has retired after working in business and education for 41 years.
In 1991, Burkhalter was elected to a four year term as Mayor of Rentiesville, Oklahoma, thus becoming the first woman to hold that office. She has subsequently been re-elected multiple times and remains in office. Rentiesville is a rural, historic, all black town, which lies in the southeastern part of Oklahoma. During her tenure as Mayor of Rentiesville, Burkhalter has obtained more than $3.5 million in grant funding on behalf of her constituents. These grants have been used to purchase land, construct community buildings, facilitate a senior citizens meal program, a community park, park pavilion, new street work, rental cottages, and other developments. Burkhalter believes that with more funding and resources she will affect even greater change in her community. She also asserts that her "community must stay focused on what is vital to our growth, our longevity, and viability of this historic, all Black town; and economic development is the key to the vitality of any community."
Mildred has received the Walmart's small town leadership award in the amount of $5,000, Kansas Colored Infantry Recognition, and local chapter of the Gardenia Club Outstanding Women Award. Burkhalter has previously served on numerous professional boards and committees such as the National Conference of Black Mayors, NCBM Black Women Caucus, Muscogee Nation Checotah Creek Indian Board, Oklahoma Governor's Buffalo Soldiers Corridor Board, and the Oklahoma Conferences of Black Mayors. Some of her professional affiliations have previously included the Gardenia Club, Optimist Club, Warrior School Restoration Inc, National Education Association, Oklahoma Education Association, Checotah Schools Education Association, NAACP and others. She is a longtime faithful member of Rentiesville First Baptist Church, currently serving as the church clerk. She has also served in various positions such as: Sunday School Assistant Superintendent, Usher Board President, a Choir member, a member Mission Society, Youth Director, and Assistant Youth Sunday School Teacher. Burkhalter enjoys traveling, gardening, garage sales, sewing and writing. Burkhalter has two children: Frederick L. and Franchelle L., five grandsons, and one granddaughter.
Notable Residents
Dr. John Hope Franklin
(1915–2009) Professor Emeritus of Duke University, historian, and author of numerous books, including "From Slavery to Freedom"[12] was born in Rentiesville. His father, B. C. Franklin, served as the second postmaster of Rentiesville.
DC Minner
(1935–2008) Blues singer, was born in Rentiesville. He owned the 'Down Home Blues Club' in Rentiesville, where he and his wife Selby Minner founded the long-running annual blues festival, the 'Dusk 'til Dawn Blues Festival.
Dunbar Sims McLaurin
Dunbar Simms McLaurin, businessman, professor, lecturer, attorney, and economist, was widely known as the principal founder of Freedom National Bank in Harlem--the largest African-American-owned bank in the United States. In addition, he also specialized in economic development in minority communities and served as president of Ghettonomics, Inc., a Harlem-based firm of economic consultants. An ardent proponent of Black capitalism, he perfected the Ghetto Economic Development Industrialization Plan, or "GEDI" Plan, which was designed to assist African-American businesses via small business loans.
Events
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Town of Rentiesville, Ok
Contact Us
101 N McIntosh St, Rentiesville, OK, United States, 74459
918-913-2491
riomildred@aol.com
Office Hours
Monday to Friday
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday
Closed
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