 In the early 20th century , Tulsa was home to the " Black Wall Street " , one of the most prosperous black communities in the United States at the time . Located in the Greenwood neighborhood , it was the site of the Tulsa Race Riot , one of the nation 's worst acts of racial violence and civil disorder , with whites attacking blacks . Sixteen hours of rioting on May 31 and June 1 , 1921 , was only ended when National Guardsmen were brought in by the Governor . An official report later claimed that 23 black and 16 white citizens were killed , but other estimates suggest as many as 300 people died , most of them black . Over 800 people were admitted to local hospitals with injuries , and an estimated 10 @,@ 000 people were left homeless as 35 city blocks , composed of 1 @,@ 256 residences , were destroyed by fire . Property damage was estimated at $ 1 @.@ 8 million . Efforts to obtain reparations for survivors of the violence have been unsuccessful but the city and state re @-@ examined the events in the early 21st century , acknowledging the terrible actions that had taken place . 
