Postcard Gallery

Race Massacre postcards were printed and passed around as souvenirs.

Click each image to view the item’s full description and details.

A Postcard showing a group of African-Americans and armed Whites in civilian attire standing on a road. There is a building and two vehicles behind the crowd. One man is refilling the radiator of one of the vehicles. Title is taken from the writing on the face of the postcard.
“Scene during Tulsa Race Riot, June 1, 1921”
Coll. No. 1989-004-5-01
A postcard showing the scene from the roof of the Hotel Tulsa on 3rd St. between Boston Ave. and Cincinnati Ave.. The first row of buildings is along 2nd St. The smoke cloud on the left (Cincinnati Ave. and the Frisco Tracks) is identified in the Tulsa Tribune version of this photo as being where the fire started. Title is taken from the writing on the face of the postcard.
“Little Africa on Fire, Tulsa Race Riot, June 1, 1921”
Coll. No. 1989-004-5-02
A postcard showing a truck parked in front of the Convention Hall. One man lies on the bed of the truck, either wounded or dead, while two others sit to either side. A man in civilian attire stands guard over them.
“Tulsa Race Riot June 1st 1921, Scene at Convention Hall”
Coll. No. 1989-004-5-03
A postcard showing an unidentified man standing alone amidst the desolation and the ruins of what is described as his home. The placement of the ruins of Dunbar Elementary School in the background indicates that this photo was taken on either North Greenwood Ave. or North Frankfort Ave.
“All that was left of his home after Tulsa Race Riot, 6-1-1921”
Coll. No. 1989-004-5-04
This photo on this postcard was taken from on top of the Santa Fe Freight office at 1st St. and Elgin Ave., showing the fires on Archer towards Greenwood. The Goodner-Malone company (1 N. Frankfurt Ave.) building is in the center of the photo.
“Little Africa on fire, Tulsa Race Riot, 6-1-1921”
Coll. No. 1989-004-5-05
A postcard showing a man lying dead in the street, with a sheet, or piece of paper covering his face. This victim appears in a number of photographs in this collection, taken from different angles at different times of the morning.
“Negro slain in Tulsa Race Riot, June 1, 1921”
Coll. No. 1989-004-5-06
A postcard showing a group of detainees being marched past the corner of 2nd and Main under armed guard. The building in the background is 202 S. Main, on the southwest corner. Based on the shadows of the building and the people, it is late morning. They are heading east (or are turning to head east) on 2nd, so it is more likely that they are among those being marched south towards McNulty Park than to be heading towards the Convention Hall, which is several blocks north of this intersection.
“Captured Negroes on way to Convention Hall during Tulsa Race Riot, June 1, 1921”
Coll. No. 1989-004-5-07
A Postcard showing a pair of men who have loaded two wicker coffins onto a truck at the Courthouse. Title is taken from the writing on the face of the Postcard.
“Truck being used to gather up colored victims during Tulsa Race Riot,” June 1, 1921
Coll. No. 1989-004-5-08
A Postcard showing a pair of men who have loaded two wicker coffins onto a truck at the Courthouse. Title is taken from the writing on the face of the Postcard.
“Truck being used to gather up colored victims during Tulsa Race Riot,” June 1, 1921
Coll. No. 1989-004-5-09
Mt. Zion Baptist Church is burning in this picture taken about Cameron St. and Elgin Ave. The Church was rumored at the time to have been a storehouse for weapons and ammunition. Title is taken from the writing on the face of the postcard
“Burning of church where ammunition was stored during Tulsa Race Riot 6-1-1921,” June 1, 1921
Coll. No. 1989-004-5-10
Mt. Zion Baptist Church is burning in this picture taken about Cameron St. and Elgin Ave. The Church was rumored at the time to have been a storehouse for weapons and ammunition. Title is taken from the writing on the face of the postcard.
“Burning of church where ammunition was stored during Tulsa Race Riot 6-1-1921,” June 1, 1921
Coll. No. 1989-004-5-11
A postcard made from a photograph (1989.004.5.58). A large group of people are being escorted by several men in civilian attire with an automobile alongside. They have just crossed the tracks and are passing in front of the Continental Supply Co. (offices at 19 S. Main). There is an issue with this image since while the Continental Supply Co. on the south side of the tracks, the address is on the east side of the street. The structures in the rest of the image are also not consistant with this being that part of Main St. Title is taken from the writing on the face of the postcard.
“National Guards taking Negroes to ball park for protection. Race Riot at Tulsa, June 1st 1921”
Coll. No. 1989-004-5-12
Photo taken from the Tulsa Pressed Brick Co. The ruins of Dunbar Elementary School and the Masonic Hall (501 N. Greenwood) are in the background. Title is taken from the writing on the face of the Postcard.
“Ruins of the Tulsa Race Riot 6-1-21,” June 1, 1921
Coll. No. 1989-004-5-13
This victim appears in photos 14, 55, and S10. This photo appears to be a cropped print of photo S10. A postcard depicting an unidentified man lying between some tracks and a fence. Another man stands behind him, and shadows indicate several others just outside the image. This same body appears in 4 photographs (1989.004.5.15, 1989.004.5.54, 1989.004.5.s9 1989.004.5.S11). Based on correlating information from these images, the body was lying along the north side of the main Frisco tracks, just west of Cincinnatti Ave. Title is taken from the writing on the face of the postcard.
“Charred Negro killed in Tulsa Riot 6-1-1921”
Coll. No. 1989-004-5-14
A postcard depicting an unidentified man lying between some tracks and a fence. Another man stands behind him, and shadows indicate several others just outside the image. This same body appears in 4 photographs (1989.004.5.15, 1989.004.5.54, 1989.004.5.s9 1989.004.5.S11). Based on correlating information from these images, the body was lying along the north side of the main Frisco tracks, just west of Cincinnati Ave.
“A victim of Tulsa Race Riot 6-1-1921”
Coll. No. 1989-004-5-15