Cherokee County, Oklahoma

Not to be confused with Cherokee, Oklahoma.

Cherokee County
U.S. county
Cherokee National Capitol in Tahlequah.
Location within the U.S. state of Oklahoma
Oklahoma's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°55′N95°00′W / 35.91°N 95°W / 35.91; -95
Country	United States
State	Oklahoma
Founded	1907
Seat	Tahlequah
Largest city	Tahlequah
Area
• Total	776 sq mi (2,010 km2)
• Land	749 sq mi (1,940 km2)
• Water	27 sq mi (70 km2)  3.5%%
Population
• Estimate  (2018)	48,675
• Density	63/sq mi (24/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	2nd

Cherokee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2010 census, the population was 46,987. ^[1] Its county seat is Tahlequah, ^[2] which is also the capital of the Cherokee Nation. ^[3]

Cherokee County comprises the Tahlequah, OK Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Tulsa-Muskogee-Bartlesville, OK Combined Statistical Area.

History

Cherokee stop sign with Cherokee language transliteration and the Cherokee syllabary in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, with "alehwisdiha" (also spelled "halehwisda") meaning "stop"

Cherokee traffic sign in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, reading "tla adi yigi", meaning "no parking" from "tla" meaning "no"

According to a historian, Cherokee County was established in 1907. ^[4] However, the Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, states that it was created from the Tahlequah District of the Cherokee Nation in 1906. ^{[3] [lower-alpha 1]}

The Cherokee moved to this area as a result of the forced relocation brought about by the Indian Removal Act of 1830, also known as Trail Of Tears. The first significant settlements were at the site of Park Hill, where there was already a mission community, and Tahlequah, which became the seat of Cherokee government. However the Civil War divided the tribe and caused many of the early structures to be destroyed. Non-Indians began moving into the area illegally starting in the mid-1870s, and became the majority by the 1890s. ^[3]

In 1851, the Cherokee Male Seminary opened in Tahlequah and the Cherokee Female Seminary opened in Park Hill. The latter burned down in 1887 and was rebuilt in Tahlequah. A 1910 fire destroyed the Male Seminary. The Female Seminary became Northeastern State Normal School after statehood in 1907 and is now part of Northeastern State University. ^[3]

During 1901 – 1903, The Ozark and Cherokee Central Railway, which later became part of the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway was the first to build a track in the county. It boosted the shipment of farm products through the 1920s, but declined during the Great Depression. All rail service ceased in 1942. ^[3]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 776 square miles (2,010 km²), of which 749 square miles (1,940 km²) is land and 2.7 square miles (7.0 km²) (3.5%) is water. ^[5]

The county lies in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. It includes most of Tenkiller Lake and part of Fort Gibson Lake. The principal river running through it is the Illinois River. Grand River (Oklahoma) forms part of its western boundary. ^[3]

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 62
• State Highway 10
• State Highway 51
• State Highway 82

Adjacent counties

• Delaware County (north)
• Adair County (east)
• Sequoyah County (south)
• Muskogee County (southwest)
• Wagoner County (west)
• Mayes County (northwest)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1910	16,778		—
1920	19,872		18.4%
1930	17,470		−12.1%
1940	21,030		20.4%
1950	18,989		−9.7%
1960	17,762		−6.5%
1970	23,174		30.5%
1980	30,684		32.4%
1990	34,049		11.0%
2000	42,521		24.9%
2010	46,987		10.5%
2018 (est.)	48,675	[6]	3.6%
U.S. Decennial Census [7] 1790-1960 [8] 1900-1990 [9] 1990-2000 [10] 2010-2013 [1]

Age pyramid for Cherokee County, Oklahoma, based on census 2000 data.

As of the census ^[11] of 2000, there were 42,521 people, 16,175 households, and 11,079 families residing in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile (22/km²). There were 19,499 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 56.41% White, 1.20% Black or African American, 32.42% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.10% from other races, and 7.56% from two or more races. 4.14% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 92.7% spoke English, 3.8% Spanish and 2.7% Cherokee as their first language.

There were 16,175 households, out of which 32.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.50% were married couples living together, 11.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.50% were non-families. 25.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 14.60% from 18 to 24, 25.70% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,536, and the median income for a family was $32,369. Males had a median income of $25,993 versus $21,048 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,436. About 17.00% of families and 22.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.40% of those under age 18 and 13.80% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Oklahoma Cherokee language immersion school student writing in the Cherokee syllabary.

Primary & secondary education

The Cherokee language immersion school in Tahlequah, Oklahoma educates students from pre-school through eighth grade. ^{[12] [13]} The Department of Education of Oklahoma said that in 2012 state tests: 11% of the school's sixth-graders showed proficiency in math, and 25% showed proficiency in reading; 31% of the seventh-graders showed proficiency in math, and 87% showed proficiency in reading; 50% of the eighth-graders showed proficiency in math, and 78% showed proficiency in reading. ^[13]

Adams Corner Cherokee language chalk board in schoolhouse.

The Oklahoma Department of Education listed the charter school as a Targeted Intervention school, meaning the school was identified as a low-performing school but has not so that it was a Priority School. ^[13] Ultimately, the school made a C, or a 2.33 grade point average on the state's A-F report card system. ^[13] The report card shows the school getting an F in mathematics achievement and mathematics growth, a C in social studies achievement, a D in reading achievement, and an A in reading growth and student attendance. ^[13] "The C we made is tremendous," said school principal Holly Davis, "[t]here is no English instruction in our school's younger grades, and we gave them this test in English." ^[13] She said she had anticipated the low grade because it was the school's first year as a state-funded charter school, and many students had difficulty with English. ^[13] Eighth graders who graduate from the Tahlequah immersion school are fluent speakers of the language, and they usually go on to attend Sequoyah High School where classes are taught in both English and Cherokee.

Colleges

Tahlequah is home to Northeastern State University.

Northeastern State University is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of Oklahoma as well as one of the oldest institutions of higher learning west of the Mississippi River. ^[14] Tahlequah is home to the capital of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and about 25 percent of the students at NSU identify themselves as American Indian. ^[15] The university has many courses focused on Native American linguistics, and offers Cherokee language Education as a major. ^[16] Cherokee can be studied as a second language, and some classes are taught in Cherokee for first language speakers as well. ^[17]

Politics

Despite the county being home to a significant Native American population and a wide Democratic registration advantage, the county -- like every Oklahoma county since 2000 -- has avoided the party entirely in presidential elections in the 21st century. Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton 60%-33% in 2016, which was a sharp right turn from the far-fetched yet competitive totals from Barack Obama's efforts in the prior two elections.

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of January 15, 2019 [18]
Party		Number of voters	Percentage
	Democratic	12,973	52.63%
	Republican	7,922	32.14%
	Others	3,753	15.22%
Total		24,648	100%

Presidential elections results

Presidential elections results ^[19]

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third parties
2016	60.6%9,994	33.1% 5,456	6.3% 1,040
2012	57.1%8,162	43.0% 6,144
2008	56.1%9,186	43.9% 7,194
2004	52.6%9,569	47.4% 8,623
2000	47.8% 6,918	50.2%7,256	2.0% 294
1996	36.8% 5,046	49.8%6,817	13.4% 1,833
1992	32.9% 4,977	45.0%6,794	22.1% 3,340
1988	47.0% 5,838	52.2%6,483	0.8% 103
1984	58.5%7,614	40.8% 5,307	0.7% 94
1980	49.5%5,594	46.1% 5,215	4.4% 499
1976	42.1% 4,443	56.9%6,006	1.1% 115
1972	69.4%7,080	28.4% 2,899	2.2% 227
1968	47.3%3,971	30.4% 2,554	22.2% 1,866
1964	43.8% 3,467	56.2%4,449
1960	57.1%3,571	42.9% 2,687
1956	52.3%3,277	47.7% 2,991
1952	50.7%3,326	49.3% 3,234
1948	39.6% 2,785	60.4%4,249
1944	49.3% 3,336	50.5%3,415	0.2% 12
1940	51.0%4,128	48.8% 3,952	0.2% 18
1936	42.3% 2,917	57.4%3,966	0.3% 21
1932	32.9% 2,275	67.1%4,633
1928	54.5%2,963	45.0% 2,446	0.5% 29
1924	49.8%2,622	46.7% 2,454	3.5% 185
1920	56.5%2,524	41.6% 1,859	1.9% 86
1916	42.4% 1,379	49.0%1,594	8.7% 282
1912	43.7% 962	49.7%1,094	6.7% 147

Economy

Since statehood, the economy of Cherokee County has been based on agriculture, especially production of corn, wheat and vegetables. However, the percentage of the population engaged in farming has declined from 62 percent in 1940 to 4.4 percent in 1990. This is largely due to increased urbanization around Tahlequah since World War II. Agriculture remains very important. In 2002, this county ranked first in Oklahoma for the value of nursery and greenhouse crops and seventh in the state for poultry and eggs. ^[3] Illinois River and Lake Tenkiller tourism are perhaps of greater economic impact than agriculture, and both have lodging, water sports and recreation outfitters, fishing equipment and guides, eating and drinking establishments, campgrounds, festival events, and organizations for the conservation of resources.

Major non-agricultural employers in the county now include the Cherokee Nation government and Northeastern State University, ^[3]

Communities

City

• Tahlequah (county seat)

Towns

• Fort Gibson
• Hulbert
• Oaks

Census-designated places

• Briggs
• Dry Creek
• Eldon
• Gideon
• Grandview
• Keys
• Lost City
• Park Hill
• Peggs
• Pettit
• Scraper
• Shady Grove
• Steely Hollow
• Tenkiller
• Teresita
• Welling
• Woodall
• Zeb

Other unincorporated places

• Cookson
• Qualls

NRHP sites

Main article: National Register of Historic Places listings in Cherokee County, Oklahoma

The following sites in Cherokee County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

Cherokee Female Seminary, Tahlequah Cherokee National Capitol, Tahlequah Cherokee National Jail, Tahlequah Cherokee Supreme Court Building, Tahlequah First Cherokee Female Seminary Site, Tahlequah French-Parks House, Tahlequah Illinois Campground, Tahlequah Indian University of Tahlequah, Tahlequah Dr. Irwin D. Leoser Log Cabin, Tahlequah Murrell Home, Park Hill Park Hill Mission Cemetery, Park Hill (also known as Worcester Cemetery [20] ). Ross Cemetery, Park Hill Tahlequah Armory, Tahlequah Tahlequah Carnegie Library, Tahlequah Joseph M. Thompson House, Tahlequah

Notable citizens

• Bamboo Harvester, the horse who played television's Mr. Ed
• Sam Claphan, football player
• Robert Conley, author of numerous books about the Cherokee Indians
• Alice Brown Davis, Principal Chief of the Seminole Tribe of Oklahoma
• Wilma Mankiller, first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation
• Jackson Narcomey, Muscogee Creek artist
• Wilson Rawls, author of Where the Red Fern Grows and Summer of the Monkeys
• Hastings Shade, Cherokee traditionalist and author
• Sonny Sixkiller, Cherokee football player
• Wes Studi, Cherokee actor

In popular culture

In the 1940 film The Grapes of Wrath , a policeman, portrayed by Ward Bond, tells the Joad family he is from Cherokee County, Oklahoma.

Notes

1. Both of these statements are correct. All modern counties in the former Indian Territory became operational when Oklahoma officially became a state on November 16, 1907. The tribal governments became ineffective during the preceding years, while the new counties were being designated in the Oklahoma Constitution.

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2014.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2015-05-09. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
3. Burnett, Amanda. "Cherokee County," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, 2009. Accessed March 28, 2015.
4. Columbia-Lippincott Gazetteer. p. 386
5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
6. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates" . Retrieved December 26, 2019.
7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
9. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved 2008-01-31.
12. Chavez, Will (April 5, 2012). "Immersion students win trophies at language fair". Cherokeephoenix.org. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
13. "Cherokee Immersion School Strives to Save Tribal Language". Youth on Race. Archived from the original on July 3, 2014. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
14. "General Information". NSU. Archived from the original on 2009-08-28. Retrieved 2008-02-20.
15. Agnew, Brad. Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. "Northeastern State University." "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-11-19. Retrieved 2016-01-08.
16. ' + auElement.html() + '. "NSU, Cherokee Nation Partner to Train and Hire Language Instructors - ICTMN.com". Indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com. Archived from the original on 2015-08-13. Retrieved 2015-07-17.
17. "Cherokee". Ethnologue.
18. "Oklahoma Registration Statistics by County" (PDF). OK.gov. January 15, 2019. Retrieved 2019-02-27.
19. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-03-28.
20. United States Department of the Interior. National Park Service. "Park Hill Mission Cemetery - National Register of Historic Places Registration Form." December 6, 2006. Accessed March 4, 2016.

External links

• Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture - Cherokee County
• Oklahoma Digital Maps: Digital Collections of Oklahoma and Indian Territory

Coordinates: 35°55′N95°00′W / 35.91°N 95.00°W / 35.91; -95.00