Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum

Cherokee Supreme Court Building (also known as Cherokee County School) is museum at Keetoowah Street and Water Avenue in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The building was constructed in 1844 and it was added the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. It is the oldest government building in Oklahoma and possibly the oldest building still surviving in the state.^[2]

Cherokee Supreme Court Building
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	Keetoowah St. and Water Ave., Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Coordinates	35°54′47″N 94°58′00″W
Area	less than one acre
Built	1844 (1844)
NRHP reference No.	74001657[1]
Added to NRHP	June 28, 1974

The building that once housed the Supreme Court of the Cherokee Nation has been converted into a museum, the Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum and is open to the public. It reportedly is the oldest public building in Oklahoma.^{[3] [lower-alpha 1]} It was constructed on the southeast corner of the town square by James S. Pierce in 1844. The first chief justice of the Cherokee Nation, John Martin (judge) (1784–1840) held court here. The printing press for the early-day Cherokee Phoenix newspaper was also located in this building, and a reproduction of the press and the newsroom can be seen here.^[4]

See also

• Oldest buildings in Oklahoma

Notes

1. The museum is normally open 10 AM - 4 PM, Monday through Friday. The street address is 122 East Keetowah Street, Tahlequah.^[4]

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
2. "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Cherokee Supreme Court Building". National Park Service. Retrieved November 29, 2022. With accompanying pictures
3. Martindale, Robert. "Cherokee Nation places three historical buildings in trust", Tulsa World, 28 June 2003
4. "Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum." Trip Advisor. 2019. Accessed November 8, 2019.