Just before the birth of Route 66, the single worst incident of racial violence in American history took place in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Within 24 hours, more than 35 square blocks in the Greenwood section of Tulsa were burned, causing 10,000 residents in one of the wealthiest black communities in America to instantly become homeless. Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with Dr. Scott Ellsworth, a leading expert on the Tulsa Race Massacre.
Topics include:
Earliest knowledge of the Tulsa Race Massacre
Urban legends and myths about the riots with stories about the 1921 riots
Discovering a rare photograph that would spark an interest in further researching the riot
A talk with a survivor who was 16 years at the time
WD Williams provides a first hand account
Origin of the Greenwood neighborhood
Timeline of events beginning at the Drexel Building
The Tulsa Tribune reports on the incident
Lynch mob assembles outside the courthouse
The one spark that caused the attack on Greenwood
Race Riot or Race Massacre?
Extreme lengths to cover up the events for years later
The 3 remaining survivors today
Search for mass graves
Importance of President visiting Tulsa in 2021 to remember race riots
Thank you to Route 66 Podcast & Scholarship supporters!
MidPoint Cafe, Adrian, TX - Featuring both their Ugly Crust Pie and one of the most popular photo ops along Route 66, located exactly halfway between Chicago and Santa Monica in Adrian, Texas.
Gilligan's Route 66 Tours featuring tours of Route 66 in Ford Mustang convertibles, stays at historic Route 66 motels, and daily breakfast.
Jon B - Rhode Island
Mary Beth Busutil - Florida
Jim Crabtree - California
Mike Fort
Route 66 author and photographer - Shellee Graham and also my guest on Episode # 10 where she talks about her book, Tales from the Coral Court Motel.