Greenwood: History, Memory, and the Future
Understanding Tulsa's most important neighborhood.
Before 1921
In the early 20th century, the Greenwood District was "Black Wall Street" — a thriving, self-contained African American business district with over 300 businesses, including restaurants, hotels, movie theaters, a hospital, and a newspaper. In a deeply segregated America, Greenwood was proof that Black enterprise and community could flourish despite systemic oppression.
The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre
On May 31 and June 1, 1921, a white mob attacked Greenwood by land and air — burning 35 blocks to the ground, killing an estimated 100-300 people, and displacing thousands. It was one of the worst acts of racial violence in American history, and for decades it was deliberately erased from official memory and textbooks.
Visiting Today
Start at the Greenwood Cultural Center, where exhibits document both the thriving pre-massacre community and the violence that destroyed it. Walk to John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park, where sculptures and markers tell the chronological story of Greenwood with unflinching honesty and genuine hope.
Look for the historical markers along Greenwood Avenue that show where businesses once stood. Read them slowly. The names and stories deserve your time.
The Future
Greenwood is being reshaped by new development, including ONEOK Field and surrounding commercial projects. The community conversation about how to develop responsibly — honoring history while creating economic opportunity — is ongoing and deeply important. Visit, learn, spend money at Black-owned businesses, and carry the history forward.