Cleora

History

Few dates are available to detail how the community developed. Settlement began circa 1890, before Oklahoma became a state, and was part of the Cherokee Nation of Indian Territory. The main occupation was farming. The rich soil produced wheat, corn and oats. However, the unnamed community was far from any larger settlements. The local residents had to travel to either Afton or Vinita to either shop or get their mail. Local resident, Ed Lunday, soon built a general store, and was then persuaded by the other residents to apply for a post office. He needed to name the post office before submitting his application, and decided to name it for one of his six sisters. {{efn|The Lunday sisters were named Rebecca, Flora, Lula, Rosie, Cleora and Maud. Their names were put in a hat and one name was drawn. Cleora was the winner. The Kansas, Oklahoma and Gulf Railway (KO&G) built its main line through Cleora in 1910, apparently bringing prosperity in its wake. Sunday's general store moved into a larger building and Bob Aldrich opened a hardware store. Other businesses were a two-story hotel, lumber company, grain elevator and livery stable. In 1928, residents decided to consolidate the three small school districts of Old Cleota, New Cleota and Walnut Hill. When planning began for the Pensacola Dam and the Grand Lake o' the Cherokees, it was learned that much of the older sites would be inundated by the project. Although some residents moved to higher ground, many others simply moved away.

Geography

Cleora is located in northwestern Delaware County on the northwest side of the Grand Lake o' the Cherokees. It is southwest of Bernice, south of Afton, and southeast of Vinita. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , of which is land and , or 2.64%, is water.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• GROVE LOWER ES
  Elementary · Grove · 848 students · 15.7:1 ratio
• GROVE UPPER ES
  Middle · Grove · 507 students · 16.4:1 ratio
• GROVE MS
  Middle · Grove · 391 students · 15.6:1 ratio
• CLEORA PUBLIC SCHOOL
  Elementary · Afton · 165 students · 11.8:1 ratio