How The Edwards Family Helped Build Northeast Oklahoma City

Oklahoma lawmakers passed Senate Bill 1 in 1907, which called for mandatory segregation between races on trains and in train stations. Following this, many Black Oklahomans like Jeff Edwards traveled to Amber Valley, Alberta to escape Jim Crow laws.

Edwards saw this as a fresh start, but his brother Walter stayed and made a name for himself in Oklahoma.

Walter’s house still sits on the corner of Grand Boulevard and Northeast 16th Street. It symbolizes decades of hard work.

James Johnson said it was home to a prominent power couple in Northeast Oklahoma City.

“Walter and Frances were my grandparents,” Johnson said.

They made groundbreaking decisions for Oklahoma City’s Black community. At the time, there was limited housing for Black people, so they developed the Edwards Subdivision.

“They were the first African American developer that were able to secure a Federal Housing Authority (FHA) guaranteed loans for the houses that they were building in America,” Johnson said.

They helped build a community starting with a foundation for education.

“You're going to need a school to take care of these young children who are coming up,” Johnson said.

The Edwards Subdivision focused on opportunities for all. When Frances was sick, Johnson said doctors told his family there wasn't a hospital that could care for her in Oklahoma City.

“Fortunately, he had the means to take his wife to someplace else,” Johnson said.

Instead of being discouraged, they were inspired.

“They made a pledge while she was in the hospital. When we get back to Oklahoma City, we are going to build a hospital. Not only for our own people but for all folks that are in need,” Johnson said.

They founded the Edwards Memorial Hospital in 1948. Their vision is clear in Northeast Oklahoma City today.

“I'm proud to say that's where I was born, it's where my brother was born,” Johnson said.

The Edwards family continues to impact people of all ages.

“It closed as an elementary school. And it is now an early childhood center that is operated by Sunbeam Family Services,” Johnson said.

Whether it be in Oklahoma or Alberta many can said this family has impacted them.

“All of that took us to get us to where we are today. We stand on the shoulders of where we stand today,” Johnson said.

Related: Oklahoma's Canadian Legacy: Black Oklahoman's Journey To A New Beginning