Ralph Ellison Birthplace

Newlyweds Lewis A. and Ida Ellison rented a one-room apartment in the rear of the wood frame house on this site owned by J. D. and Uretta Randolph in 1909. On March 1, 1913, the National Book Award-winning author Ralph Ellison was born in the Randolph's home. The Randolphs were an important influence in the writer's youth.

Ralph Ellison was always fond of his hometown. “I was born at 407 East First Street and lived any number of places on the East Side…As you might suspect, I loved the city in which I grew up. My parents came to the city shortly before statehood. Many of my old friends, schoolmates, employers and teachers are still residents there, as are the relatives of whom I’m fondest…[A]lthough I’m no longer in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City is still very much in me and turns up frequently in my dreams and in the fantasies and memories that inform my writing. I consider this a strength and a joy."

Callahan, John F.. Conner, Marc C.. The Selected Letters of Ralph Ellison. New York City, New York. Random House, 2019.