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
  • Connecting with President Biden

CBS News featuring Scott Ellsworth UM Website: Scott Ellsworth

Article: How a Historian Helped Tulsa Confront the Horror of Its Past

Tulsa Memorial Park: Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation

Documentary: Blood on Black Wall Street (The Legacy of the Tulsa Race Massacre)

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.

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  • 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.
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  • Brian Sawyer - Indiana

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The Netherlands

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See All 62 Episodes of "Route 66 Podcast"