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Ralph Ellison and African American History in Oklahoma City
Item 11 of 34
This is a contributing entry for Ralph Ellison and African American History in Oklahoma City and only appears as part of that tour.Learn More.

This house was described as a spacious home facing Bryant School, a school for white students, across Byers to the west. The Ellisons were in the vanguard of Black families moving into the area in 1916 and there was only one other Black family as their neighbors on their quiet, paved, tree-lined street.


Detail map of 314 N Byers, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma

Rectangle, Font, Parallel, Pattern

Ralph Ellison’s father, Lewis, had taken a job delivering ice in parts of Oklahoma City, and the business proved successful enough for the ambitious new father to move his family to spacious quarters in a home facing white families at the 400 block of Byers. In 1916, relations with white residents were calm, and on North Byers, the Ellisons were only a block away from the prestigious Third Street, prominently owned by white families. Third Street had paved roads, well-manicured lawns and backyards, the epitome of suburban living and prosperity for Lewis and Ida Ellison. Oklahoma City’s path to urbanization and gentility seemed matched to the couple. Tragically, Lewis Ellison did not live long in the house at 314 N. Byers. By June of that year, he died in an experimental surgery following an accident delivering ice to a local grocery store. After his death, Ida became the sole supporter of the family, and they would no longer have the luxury of spacious quarters in their living arrangements.

Jackson, Lawrence. Ralph Ellison: The Emergence of Genius. New York City, New York. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2002.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4024om.g4024om_g07202192202/?sp=4