Oklahoma To Create Civil Rights Trail Highlighting Historic Locations

Oklahoma is creating a statewide Civil Rights Trail. Lawmakers recently approved $1.5 million to fund it.

The goal is to highlight the state's all-Black towns, Native American sites, and important civil rights locations.

State Senator and Democrat Kevin Matthews, who represents the Tulsa area, helped sponsor the original law, which was signed in 2023.

"The uniqueness of Oklahoma is its cultural heritage," he said.

Matthews says he started thinking about creating the trail after lawmakers approved money to build Greenwood Rising in Tulsa and the Clara Luper Center in Oklahoma City, but the trail is more expansive.

Matthews says the trail will start at the Chief Standing Bear Museum in Ponca City, then go through Fairfax to teach people about the Osage Reign of Terror. He says it will then take tourists through Oklahoma's 13 remaining all-Black towns.

"There's a high interest, and I think it's going to revive those towns and be a big boom for the state," he said.

Matthews says some of the excitement has also helped expand the black rodeo circuit in Oklahoma.

He hopes the trail will teach people about the state's heritage as well as grow the economy.

"Just take the time to go visit some of these towns, meet some of the great people, spend a few dollars, and learn about the gold mine we have here that's Oklahoma," said Matthews.

The federal government has also pledged money to create historical markers along the trail.

Towns along the civil rights trail can now apply for grants from the state to build visitor centers.