CLEORA'S HISTORY

   The early 1890's brought young men and their families to settle in the town of Cleora.  Of course at the time it didn't have the name, it was just one of many settled communities.

   The families harvested corn, wheat and oats in abundance for their cash crops once the soil was cultivated, and the cattle thrived in the lush and tall grass along the prairie.

   Living far from stores and the post office, the families had to travel into Vinita or Afton to shop and get mail.  The townspeople were very appreciative and thankful when Ed Lunday built and operated the first general store near his home, and talk began about him getting a post office.

   Before the post office could be established a name had to be chosen.  Lunday decided to name it after one of his six sisters.  Names were drawn from a hat and the new community became the town of Cleora.

   The town grew fast, with townspeople providing services offering convenience to the residents of Cleora.

   Dr. Trout made his home in Cleora and offered medical services to the  people in Cleora.  Trout made house calls in a buggy pulled by a team of white ponies.  Other folks in the community were busy establishing a blacksmith shop where many horses were shod and farm machinery was repaired.  With all of the farmers and other folks of the town working together Cleora grew extremely fast.

   The farmers organized and built telephone lines and a telephone office.  The first telephone operator in Cleora was Vaughan Adcox.  With all of these new establishments, the only thing missing from this strong community was a school.  The building of the school then came very quickly and was built south of the present school and named Valley View School.

   Funding for teachers was provided by parents of the children who paid $1 a month.  Schools that were financed this way were known as 'subscription schools.'

   Not only was the building used for schooling, it was also used for church, Sunday School and other community meetings.  Because of the distance children had to go to attend Valley View School, other schools were later built and known as Cleora School.  A farmer and stockman by the name of Mr. William H. Morrison furnished a building for school near his home, a few miles south of Cleora.

   The construction of the KO&G Railroad and Depot in the early 1900's brought a new town, causing businesses to move close to the depot, which became known as the New Cleora.  Along with the railroad a hardware store, a two-story hotel, lumber yard, general store and barber shop were established.  Next came a new school building and several residences were built in town.  By this time, another school was needed in District No. 6, so a new one-room building was built about three miles southeast of Cleora and known as Walnut Hill.  At an annual school meeting, townspeople discussed consolidating Old Cleora, New Cleora and Walnut Hill.  On July 30, 1928 an election was held and votes were taken to carry out the consolidation.

   When the land was being purchased for Grand Lake O' the Cherokees, plans were underway for a new school.  the present school was the last one built.  Two church buildings were also constructed near the school. 

   Today, Cleora is known for the strong education students at  Cleora School receive.  Many students have left Cleora School and moved on to achieve great goals.  Cleora also has a volunteer fire department with dedicated employees who have been there for may years providing for the community. We also have an ambulance service.

   Most of the Old Cleora today remains under water, but it will not be forgotten as the people of Cleora build the town and continue to make improvements throughout the years.

Original Cleora School

Cleora School Today