Cherokee County, created at statehood and named for the Cherokee Nation, is part of the area settled by the Cherokee Indians after the Trail of Tears.
Tahlequah, the county seat, was established as the capital of the Cherokee Nation in 1839. It is the site of the Cherokee Heritage Center; Tsa-La-Gi Ancient Cherokee Village, an authentic replica of a Cherokee community during the 1600s; and the Cherokee National Museum. The Cookson Hills, surrounding Tahlequah, were noted as hiding places for outlaws and bandits, including the James Brothers and Belle Starr, around the turn of the century. Lake Tenkiller and the Tenkiller Wildlife Management Area, as well as the Illinois River, provide additional recreational opportunities in Cherokee County.
Northeastern State University in Tahlequah provides a source of higher education in the area. The University?s beginning dates back to 1846 when the Cherokee National Council authorized the creation of a National Male Seminary and a National Female Seminary. In 1909, the Oklahoma State Legislature authorized the purchase of the building, land, and equipment of the Cherokee Female Seminary to form the Northeastern State Normal School at Tahlequah.
For more county information, call the county clerk's office at 918/456-3171. County narrative provided courtesy of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries from the 2002-2004 Oklahoma Almanac.
| Population Totals | ||
| 2000 Census | 2006 Census | |
| Cherokee | 42,521 | 41,356 |
| Median Age: | 32.3 | 38.1 |
| Median Household Income: | $26,536 | $34,673 |
Colleges and Universities
Northeastern State University
County Government
County Seat: Tahlequah
Court Clerk - Shirley Glory, D, Tahlequah
Clerk - Marshel Bennett, D, Tahlequah
Sheriff - Norman Fisher, D, Tahlequah
Treasurer - Inez Peace, D, Tahlequah
Assessor - Earlene Luper, D, Rose
Election Board Secretary - Connie Parnell, D, Tahlequah
Commissioners:
District 1 - Doug Hubbard, D, Tahlequah
District 2 - Bobby Botts, D, Hulbert
District 3 - Mike Ballard, D, Park Hill
