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 1905 in Indian Territory, two years before Oklahoma statehood, Greenwood became one of the most prosperous Black communities in the country. 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 little outside help. 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 is there inequality, disinvestment, and a lack of resources and an absence of generational wealth in North Tulsa? The answer Tulsa has settled on is that the 1921 Race Massacre destroyed Greenwood and the neighborhood never recovered. That is a false narrative, told from the perspective of white Tulsa. The Victory of Greenwood tells the story of the people who built Greenwood, then rebuilt it, better than before, into what became known as Black Wall Street.
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 North 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.
