1921Graves

10/16/2026

A rainy week, but a lot of work continues during the latest field season at Oaklawn Cemetery.

Before the rain started on Tuesday, three burials were exhumed for further analysis and taken to the on-site osteology lab for forensic evaluation. One of the burials came from excavation Block L - which is the southernmost excavation block believed to contain graves of Race Massacre victims (as provided by burial eyewitness, Clyde Eddy).

Two additional exhumations occurred in Block M, which is the area just outside the southwestern-most fence line. Each of those burials is being carefully examined at the lab.

While none of the burials exhumed so far have contained visible evidence of trauma, Forensic Anthropologist Dr. Phoebe Stubblefield and her team will continue the thorough process of cleaning, x-raying and examining each of the burials.

As we move into the weekend, work to prep the site for additional excavation and examination will occur as crews get ready for more extensive work on Monday after conditions dry out.

You can read more about the work online at: www.cityoftulsa.org/1921Graves

10/09/2026

Yesterday we got the chance to catch up with State Archaeologist Dr. Kary Stackelbeck to get the latest updates from this year's field season at Oaklawn Cemetery.

So far, the team has found 26 new unmarked graves in the southern portion of the cemetery (Block L).

Field experts have also begun excavation near the western fence line. So far, no exhumations have occurred (during this field season) and field teams continue to look for burials that could meet the criteria for a Race Massacre victim.

After a much-needed weekend, the team will return Monday for additional work.

You can read more about the investigation online at: www.cityoftulsa.org/1921Graves

10/06/2026

**Oaklawn Cemetery Update - Oct. 6, 2026**

Dr. Kary Stackelbeck, State Archaeologist with the State of Oklahoma, shares updates from the latest round of fieldwork at Oaklawn Cemetery from this week.

You can learn more about the investigation at: www.cityoftulsa.org/1921Graves

10/02/2026

**Oaklawn Excavation Update**

Field experts began excavating of Block L (as indicated in the 2025 Executive Summary Report) along the south side of Section 20 today.

This block is being excavated to further explore the general area indicated by an eyewitness, Clyde Eddy, as one that potentially contains Race Massacre victims.

Crews also worked today to get more equipment and forensic trailers on site. Further and more extensive excavation work will happen next week.

You can keep up with the investigation (and see the 2025 Summary Report) online at: www.cityoftulsa.org/1921Graves

10/01/2026

𝐒𝐢𝐱𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐎𝐚𝐤𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐧
The sixth field season at Oaklawn Cemetery as part of the search for victims from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre is now underway.

Field experts returned to Tulsa earlier this week to explore previously untouched areas of Oaklawn that were noted in the 2025 Field Season Executive Summary Report to potentially contain more unmarked graves that could fit the profile for Race Massacre burials.

This year's fieldwork has started with Geological Coring (pictured) - a method used to determine soil conditions that could point toward the presence of additional graves.

More substantial excavations will occur next week after the rain subsides.

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝
Since archaeological work began at Oaklawn, investigators have documented hundreds of graves and exhumed the remains of 55 individuals. So far, genetic investigators have successfully recovered DNA profiles for 22 of those individuals. Genealogical research to recover the identities of the remaining individuals is ongoing.

The investigation has also produced significant evidence of trauma among some of the individuals recovered and has led to the identification of new (previously unknown) victims - C. L. Daniel and James Goings.

𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
For more information on the investigation and to stay up to date with the work, visit: www.cityoftulsa.org/1921Graves

02/21/2026

A little late in sharing - but we have the best team in the business! These women have worked so hard to bring the truth forward. We're grateful for their time, dedication, and expertise they bring to this work. Thank you TulsaPeople Magazine for your help in bringing their stories to light. See more about the 1921 Graves Investigation online at: www.cityoftulsa.org/1921Graves

Sprawling across 20 acres just east of downtown Tulsa, Oaklawn Cemetery serves as a long-standing fixture since its establishment in 1882 — 25 years before Oklahoma statehood. The manicured grounds