504 E. Archer (at Greenwood)

504 E. Archer (at Greenwood). Tulsa's Musical Heritage. [First plaque] Prior to the construction of this building, Greenwood was the main commercial street in the African-American community. Booker T. Washington dubbed Greenwood “The Black Wall Street,” alluding to the thriving commerce and dense construction. Archer roughly divided black and white Tulsa at that time. , This intersection of Archer and Greenwood was at the center of a tragic racial conflict. On June 1st, 1921, a 36-block area was torched and Black Americans were killed by an armed mob. More than 1,000 African American residents were driven out by the fires and mob violence. , “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” - George Santayana , This area later rebuilt and country music artist, Bob Wills sang about it. , [Second plaque] The famous American songwriter Bob Wills immortalized this location with the lyrics: , “Would I like to go to Tulsa, you bet your boots I would. , Just let me off at Archer, and I'll walk down to Greenwood. , Take me back to Tulsa, I'm too young to marry.”. , Bob Wills sang “Take Me Back to Tulsa” on the radio and in many recordings. Wills regularly performed at Cain's Ballroom on Main Street a few blocks away. Later, the GAP Band took its name from Greenwood, Archer and Pine Streets.