HISTORY OF LANGLEY  

Mayes County - State of Oklahoma
     
 

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History of Langley

The Town of Langley began due to the construction of  Pensacola Dam across Grand river and  was named for Oklahoma State Senator J. Howard Langley. 

At the time of construction of the Dam, the only access to the area was by ferry boat from Spavinaw.  The ferry was large enough to accommodate nine cars and charges a fee of fifty cents each way.

Cliff Bogle, the original land owner of Langley, divided the land into lots.  In 1937 the Town was established with a public dedication and drawing for free land plots.  The town is still in the original site.

After hearing of the new development, many people moved to the area and established various stores and trading places.  By 1938 the residents of the area realized that they would need electricity water, sewers, schools, and roads.  They knew that more organization was needed to acquire these services, so they formed a town council.  The temporary structures in the community gave way to more permanent facilities with with the  addition of electricity, water, sewers, churches, schools.  This prompted more new businesses such as, lumber yards, hotels, barber shops, cafes, taverns, grocery and drug stores and the first area newspaper "The Langley News" to be established.   The next years were busy and prosperous.  

With the completion of Pensacola Dam in 1940 the town took on a more settled, permanent feel.  A new school had been built west of town and a post office had been opened.

Due to an abundant rainfall the lake filled in record time.  This brought more economic growth to the area through recreational usage of the lake for fishing, boating and picnicking.  Eventually a better electric plant and water facilities were installed.

After World War II, most of the old temporary structures were gone and new building had been erected in addition the First Baptist, First Christian, St. Frances of Rome Catholic and Assembly of God Churches had been built.

Over the years the Town of Langley has seen much new growth.  With the addition of its first bank "Bank of the Lakes"  and the areas largest retailer "Reasors Foods" in the 1970's  to a second bank "Oklahoma State Bank" and many chain establishments Langley continues to prosper.