A Story Beyond the Massacre
The story of Greenwood is not one of tragedy. The neighborhood has suffered systemic racism and tragic events, but these do not define Greenwood nor tell its complete story. Founded in Oklahoma in 1905, shortly before Oklahoma’s statehood, Greenwood became the wealthiest African-American community in the nation. A decade and a half later, in 1921, a white mob attacked Greenwood leaving it in ruins. Despite the despicable acts committed against Greenwood, now known as “The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre,” Greenwood rebuilt, even better than before, with no external aid. In fact, its residents overcame a deliberate attempt by the City of Tulsa to legally prevent them from rebuilding.
In the present day, we—the Tulsa community—ask ourselves: Why does North Tulsa look the way it does? Why have its people failed to prosper and build generational wealth? Why is there a 20-year life expectancy gap between residents of North Tulsa and South Tulsa? The answer we have arrived at, since the discovery of the events surrounding the Race Massacre in May of 1921, is that North Tulsa's neighborhoods were destroyed, and the area has simply failed to recover from that event.
The Greenwood Mapping Project
Bringing Greenwood’s history to life.
For the first time, the full story of Greenwood can be seen in one place. Using land deeds, census data, business directories, and other historic records, we’ve built an interactive map that traces Greenwood’s growth from 1905 to 1921, its destruction during the Tulsa Race Massacre, and the community’s remarkable rebuilding afterward.
Explore Greenwood street by street, block by block, and discover the people, families, and businesses that made “Black Wall Street” thrive. This digital exhibit ensures Greenwood’s legacy is remembered and shared for generations to come.
Stories That Still Inspire
Greenwood Stories is a video series that focuses on the history of Greenwood during the 1940s-1960s, before Urban Renewal. Each video features an interview with a Greenwood elder, sharing stories of N. Tulsa that today are in danger of being ignored or forgotten. Greenwood was a thriving community after the Tulsa Massacre, and this history is very important for Tulsa to understand.
