Gems from the Black Press: The 1920 Negro State Fair, of Oklahoma

This article is part of a series  of articles whose purpose is to share each week an interesting article from early black publications of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As previously noted,the articles found inside of these long forgotten publications contain rich history that reflect  the early years of African America life in the first decades of freedom. Some are publications of fraternal or benevolent societies, and some were more community based. All  pieces shared in this series provide a close up to history and culture of times long past.

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The Tulsa Star. (Tulsa, Okla.) October 9, 1920, Weekly Mail Edition, Page 1

Accessed from: Chronicling America, Historic American Newspapers, Library of Congress

In the early first half of the 20th century, life in the new state of Oklahoma was a fascinating place to be. Although segregation had worked its way into what was once Indian Territory, there was still an amazing and thriving, self-supporting Black community. A fascinating article from the Tulsa Star from October 1920 reflects much of the spirit of the Oklahoma African American population.

During that time, North Tulsa and the Greenwood District was thriving, black towns numbered more than two dozen, and the future looked bright for this state once a part of the western frontier. The article of October 9, 1920 provides and amazing glimpse into early Oklahoma Black life, especially before the 1921 racial disturbance when the Greenwood District was attacked.

The event was the Negro State Fair, scheduled to unfold in Wewoka, Oklahoma. The fair was a four day event taking place on the ranch of J. Coody Johnson, a leader in the Freedmen Community in Wewoka. and was expected to draw people from throughout the state.  The Negro Fair was widely celebrated and accepted by officials of the state. The fair was directed primarily to the African American population, as was clearly spelled out in the article.

The fair was endorsed by the larger community, and a presence from the entire state of Oklahoma was anticipated! Schools were closed for two days with permission of the State Superintendent. Also for entertainment there were exhibits and for the daring, flights in an airplane were also available. This was amazing during an era when air traffic was not frequent.

The fair was organized by attorney, and rancher J. Coody Johnson, known to have been a strong advocate for Seminole Freedmen. He was a wealthy man by the early 1900s and his land was used for the state event. He was assisted by Mrs. Julia Davidson of Wewoka who served as secretary for the event.

 

The Tulsa Star. (Tulsa, Okla.) October 9, 1920, Weekly Mail Edition, Page 4
Accessed from: Chronicling America, Historic American Newspapers, Library of Congress

Organizers of the Negro State Fair, Wewoka, Oklahoma

It is not known how often the fair was held after the event of 1920. But it is quite clear that this is an event that should be noted as one in which the members of the Oklahoma Black community  sought to honor their own accomplishments, and to celebrate their successes during those four memorable days in 1920. 

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Labor Day Celebration : Muskogee Oklahoma, 1915

Labor Day Flyer 1915, Muskogee Oklahoma

Muskogee Cimeter, September 4, 1915, Vol.  Page 3

Happy Labor Day!!  

In 1915, the 1st Negro Independent State Fair took place. This first annual event would become the precursor to the many fairs and expos that we know of today.  

In that inaugural year, the fair included everything from baby contests to electing the state fair queen. The fair also included an exposition of agriculture, livestock, and also of industrial wares. One of the biggest events was the large parade of wagons, floats and cars, as well as the daily horse races and automobile races.

Today for many of us, Labor Day is considered simply the last weekend of the summer season, and the last time for a backyard barbecue, or a trip to the beach, and the last time to fully unwind before a new season begins for school, work, and the anticipated change of seasons.

But I learned more about how Labor Day was spent by some of my Oklahoma ancestors, and it was truly a time of celebration of self, family and community. And what a wonderful thing to learn that the city of Muskogee kicked off this tradition in such grand style in 1915. 

This should be remembered, because during these early days of statehood, there was much separation of races that had been put in place with the very first Senate Bill passed immediately after statehood. So, the African American community depended upon itself to survive and to thrive, and in September of 1915, it decided to show itself to the world by exposing their successes. The fair was widely received and embraced, because there was an industrious black community that was quite anxious to have a venue that would allow them to reflect its own accomplishments. The event lasted for several years, and for the next several decades, it would become an Oklahoma tradition.

These Negro state fairs events occur for many years in other Oklahoma towns, but the base was always Muskogee. In fact one of the Muskogee parades was captured several years later as well on film, and can be viewed on the Global Filmworks website. As the years passed, the Negro State Fair itself would in other Oklahoma cities and towns such as Wewoka, and it was moved eventually from a Labor Day event to an October event. 

Flyer announcing Negro State Fair in Wewoka, Oklahoma in 1920

However, the origins of such events was the Labor Day event, and that event, became the precursor to many expos and events today. And the town of Muskogee can boast with pride that such event is deeply rooted on the streets of that city.

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