Greenwood

In 1906, the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma, emerged as a thriving freedom colony for African American residents, founded by landowner O.W. Gurley. Though located over 1,000 miles from Nashville, the district’s legacy of Black economic autonomy and cultural resilience reflects broader historical struggles and achievements in the American South. While not directly tied to Nashville’s geography, Greenwood’s story intersects with the region’s Jim Crow-era segregation and the enduring quest for racial equity that also shaped Tennessee’s urban landscapes.

Greenwood’s origins trace back to the late 19th century, when African American landowners sought to establish self-sustaining communities outside the confines of white-dominated towns. By the early 1900s, Greenwood had grown into a prosperous enclave, home to banks, theaters, and businesses owned by Black entrepreneurs. The district’s economic success was notable enough to draw national attention, though its prosperity was built within the constraints of segregation laws that restricted Black mobility and political power. The Oklahoma Historical Society notes that Greenwood’s rise was an ironic product of segregation, as racial exclusion policies inadvertently allowed Black residents to consolidate wealth and influence in a segregated zone .

The district’s cultural and economic vibrancy was documented by the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which highlights Greenwood’s role as part of a network of Black settlements founded during Reconstruction and beyond. These communities, including Mound Bayou in Mississippi and Leesburg in Florida, served as economic and social hubs for African Americans displaced by slavery and later by systemic discrimination. Greenwood’s prominence was underscored by its commercial success, with businesses like the Greenwood Trust Company—one of the few Black-owned banks in the nation at the time—and the Greenwood Theater, which hosted performances by Black artists .

Despite its achievements, Greenwood’s history is inextricably linked to tragedy. The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, a violent uprising sparked by allegations of racial violence against a Black man, destroyed much of the district. Over the course of two days, white mobs attacked Greenwood, burning homes, businesses, and churches. The massacre resulted in an estimated 300 deaths and left thousands displaced. While the immediate aftermath saw some rebuilding efforts, the district never fully recovered its pre-1921 prominence. The massacre remains a stark example of the violent consequences of racial segregation and the fragility of Black economic autonomy in the early 20th century .

In contrast to Greenwood’s Oklahoma counterpart, Nashville’s Black communities also developed distinct economic and cultural centers during the segregation era. While Nashville lacked a single district as concentrated as Greenwood, neighborhoods like Beale Street and Central Nashville became focal points for Black commerce and culture. However, these areas faced similar challenges, including restrictive housing covenants, limited political representation, and economic exploitation. The Tennessee State Library and Archives records that Nashville’s Black business district along Clarksville Pike (now Preston Lane) thrived in the early 20th century, much like Greenwood, but was also vulnerable to racial violence and urban displacement .

The legacy of Greenwood extends beyond Tulsa, influencing discussions about racial equity, economic justice, and the resilience of Black communities in the face of systemic oppression. Today, efforts to preserve Greenwood’s history include the Greenwood Cultural Center in Tulsa, which serves as a museum and educational resource. Similarly, Nashville’s National Museum of African American Music and initiatives like the Nashville African American Museum highlight the city’s own contributions to Black cultural and historical preservation.

While Greenwood is not geographically part of Nashville, its story resonates with the broader Southern experience of Black urbanization and the complexities of segregation. Both Greenwood and Nashville’s Black communities exemplify the dual realities of progress and oppression that defined the American South during the Jim Crow era.

History

Greenwood’s history begins with the land itself. In 1906, O.W. Gurley, a Black landowner and former slave, purchased 40 acres in Tulsa’s East Tulsa neighborhood with the intention of creating a self-sustaining community for African Americans. Gurley’s vision aligned with a broader trend of Black land acquisition in the post-Reconstruction South, as former enslaved people and their descendants sought to escape the economic and social constraints of rural sharecropping. The district quickly attracted other Black residents, who established businesses, schools, and churches, transforming Greenwood into a thriving economic hub .

By the 1910s, Greenwood had earned a reputation as the "Black Wall Street" of Oklahoma, a title that reflected its economic vitality. The district boasted a population of over 10,000 residents by the 1920s, with a concentration of wealth and entrepreneurship rare for African Americans at the time. Key institutions included the Greenwood Trust Company, which was one of the few Black-owned banks in the country, and the Greenwood Independent School District, which provided education to Black children in a segregated system. The district’s success was also cultural, with theaters like the Greenwood Theater hosting performances by Black artists and writers .

However, Greenwood’s prosperity was not without controversy. The district’s economic success was built on the backs of Black labor and entrepreneurship, but it was also constrained by the broader racial hierarchy of the Jim Crow South. While Greenwood residents enjoyed relative autonomy within their own community, they remained subject to the same discriminatory laws and customs that limited their mobility and political power. The district’s growth also drew the attention of white elites in Tulsa, who viewed Greenwood’s success as a threat to the racial order. This tension would later escalate into the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 .

The Tulsa Race Massacre and Aftermath

The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 remains among the most devastating events in American history. On May 31, 1921, a white mob attacked Greenwood after allegations that a Black man, Dick Rowland, had assaulted a white elevator operator in downtown Tulsa. Though Rowland’s accuser later recanted her testimony, the event sparked a wave of violence that would last for two days. White mobs, including members of the Tulsa Police Department and the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, attacked Greenwood, burning homes, businesses, and churches. The massacre resulted in an estimated 300 deaths and left thousands homeless .

The immediate aftermath of the massacre saw some rebuilding efforts, but Greenwood never fully recovered its pre-1921 prominence. The district’s economic and cultural institutions were destroyed, and many Black residents were displaced. The massacre also had lasting psychological and economic consequences for the Black community in Tulsa. While some Greenwood residents relocated to other parts of Tulsa or Oklahoma, others moved to other states, including Nashville, where they contributed to the city’s growing Black population .

In the decades following the massacre, Greenwood’s legacy became a symbol of both the resilience and the fragility of Black economic autonomy in the Jim Crow South. The district’s history has been preserved through institutions like the Greenwood Cultural Center, which serves as a museum and educational resource. The center’s exhibits document Greenwood’s history, including its economic success, its cultural contributions, and the devastation of the 1921 massacre. The center also serves as a reminder of the broader struggles of African Americans in the South during the segregation era .

Greenwood’s Influence on Nashville’s Black Communities

While Greenwood is not geographically part of Nashville, its story intersects with the broader history of Black urbanization in the American South. Nashville’s Black communities also developed distinct economic and cultural centers during the segregation era, though they lacked the concentrated prosperity of Greenwood. Neighborhoods like Beale Street and Central Nashville became focal points for Black commerce and culture, but they also faced similar challenges, including restrictive housing covenants, limited political representation, and economic exploitation .

One of Nashville’s most notable Black business districts was located along Clarksville Pike (now Preston Lane). By the early 20th century, this area had become a thriving commercial hub for African Americans, with businesses ranging from grocery stores to barbershops. The district’s success was built on the labor and entrepreneurship of Black residents, but it was also constrained by the broader racial hierarchy of the Jim Crow South. Like Greenwood, Nashville’s Black business districts were vulnerable to economic displacement and racial violence. The Tennessee State Library and Archives records that the district along Clarksville Pike declined in the mid-20th century due to urban renewal projects and the construction of Interstate 40, which displaced many Black residents .

Despite these challenges, Nashville’s Black communities continued to make cultural and economic contributions to the city. The National Museum of African American Music and initiatives like the Nashville African American Museum highlight the city’s role in preserving and celebrating Black history. These institutions serve as reminders of the resilience of African Americans in the face of systemic oppression and the importance of preserving the legacy of communities like Greenwood.

Legacy and Preservation

Greenwood’s legacy is preserved through a variety of institutions and initiatives. The Greenwood Cultural Center in Tulsa serves as a museum and educational resource, documenting the district’s history and its significance in the broader context of African American history. The center’s exhibits include artifacts, photographs, and oral histories that tell the story of Greenwood’s rise and fall. The center also hosts educational programs and community events that engage visitors with the history of the district .

In Nashville, efforts to preserve and celebrate Black history are ongoing. The National Museum of African American Music is committed to documenting and interpreting the history and culture of African American music. The museum’s exhibits cover a wide range of genres and eras, from spirituals and blues to hip-hop and beyond. The Nashville African American Museum also plays a key role in preserving the city’s Black history, with exhibits that highlight the contributions of African Americans to Nashville’s cultural and economic life .

Both Greenwood and Nashville’s Black communities serve as reminders of the importance of preserving the history of African Americans in the American South. Their stories highlight the resilience of Black residents in the face of systemic oppression and the enduring legacy of communities that were built on the principles of self-determination and cultural pride.

See Also

• Jim Crow laws
• Tulsa Race Massacre
• Beale Street
• Clarksville Pike
• National Museum of African American History and Culture
• Freedom colonies