Living in Tahlequah
Location
At the end of the Trail of Tears, in the beautiful hill country of eastern Oklahoma, Tahlequah citizens enjoy a thriving economy, excellent highways and air service. US Highway 62 and three state highways meet in Tahlequah, and Interstate 40 is just 40 miles south. Tahlequah and Cherokee County are connected to the Gulf of Mexico via the Mississippi and Arkansas rivers through the Port of Muskogee, 30 miles away. A full-service airport in Tulsa, just 68 miles from Tahlequah, has three runways, with the longest extending 10,000 feet. Eleven commercial airlines and several air freight companies serve the airport.
Miles from Tahlequah to some major US cities –
| Atlanta, GA | 835 |
| Chicago, IL | 700 |
| Dallas, TX | 270 |
| Kansas City, MO | 280 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 1,500 |
| Memphis, TN | 342 |
| Nashville, TN | 590 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 170 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 1,315 |
| St. Louis, MO | 400 |
Discover the beautiful lakes and rivers, scenic parks and entertainment, and stay to explore Cherokee County – rich in history and cultural variety. Tahlequah is ranked as one of the top five best retirement locations in the United States.
Climate
Tahlequah enjoys moderate weather with four distinct seasons. The rolling foothills of the Ozark Mountains explode with brilliant color in the fresh clean air of spring, when the dogwood and redbud trees bloom and show their spectacular beauty against the natural back splash of Oklahoma’s Green Country. Summer’s blue skies and warm days entice folks into outdoor and water activities, and the enjoyment of a perfect sunrise or sunset. Fall has a charm all its own. Our local scenic highways offer spectacular fall foliage vistas, or you can enjoy the rustle of the falling leaves in one of our quaint city parks – sights worth seeing with an early morning chill and an occasional snowfall in winter as well. If the local scenery isn’t enough, the downtown Festival of Lights will take your breath away.
History
Much of the cultural and educational history of Tahlequah is directly related to the Cherokees, the proud people who began migrating to this area more than 170 years ago. The greatest influx of these people came in the decade of the 1830s when the United States government began moving the Five Civilized Tribes to Indian Territory – Oklahoma.
Dr. T.L. Ballenger, well-known historian, said: “Tahlequah is not simply a town, a place to buy and sell goods, a municipality; Tahlequah has a spirit, an individuality, a distinctive personality, a social and cultural uniqueness all her own.” We are told that the name Tahlequah comes from a gradual change, over a number of years, of a word used to speak of themselves. There were places in the east (before the removal) that have names of similar sound. Other stories exist that purport to explain the name. One of these relates that the Cherokee tribal government sent out two men to find a site for their capital. When they found a spring flowing from two sides of a hillock, they exclaimed: “Tah-le” (two) and “Ah-le-quah” (enough). Another translation of the phrase is “this will do.” Whatever the origin, today Tahlequah inspires in her citizens a sense of loyalty, and an awareness of a proud past and a bright future.
Tahlequah Today
Today, Tahlequah is a wonderful, growing community, nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. Flanked on either side of town by the Illinois River and Lake Tenkiller, Tahlequah is a great place for sportsmen and nature lovers alike.
While retaining small-town traditions, warm hospitality and solid values, Tahlequah is welcoming new residents and business owners daily. This growth is evident in every area of our community, with additions to our schools, new roads and bridges, and exciting new housing developments.
Tahlequah and Cherokee County have been ranked among the fastest growing in the State of Oklahoma. Data from the 2004 population census estimate place the Tahlequah population at 15,710.
Population
1970 |
1980 |
1990 |
2000 |
2005 (Estimate) | |
| City of Tahlequah | 9,254 |
9,708 |
10,398 |
14,458 |
16,080 |
| Cherokee County | 23,174 |
30,684 |
34,049 |
42,521 |
44,617 |
Housing
Tahlequah offers a unique variety of homes, ranging from turn-of-the-century Victorians to state-of-the-art modern architecture. Located in the heart of Oklahoma’s Green Country, our neighborhoods contain an abundance of dogwood, magnolia, oak, elm and hickory trees. As one of the oldest towns in Oklahoma, Tahlequah contains many homes that date back to the 1800s. Many of these homes have been remodeled to include modern amenities, yet retain the charm and style of the period in which they were built. Tahlequah is also home to several new subdivisions established in the 1980s and 1990s. There are new housing developments currently under construction. Currently Tahlequah has 5,703 dwellings of which 42 percent are owner-occupied. As the home of Northeastern State University, Tahlequah offers a large selection of rental housing to accommodate college students.
If you are an outdoor enthusiast there are many homes along the scenic Illinois River just minutes from Tahlequah. Nearby Lake Tenkiller and Lake Ft. Gibson are surrounded by vacation homes and permanent residences. There are also many farm and ranch homes in the nearby areas from five to 500 acres or more.
Although Tahlequah has been growing rapidly for the last decade, it still maintains a small-town atmosphere and has been recognized in the publication The Best Small Towns in America. Wherever you live in Tahlequah, it’s a five minute drive or less to schools, churches, shopping and parks.
No matter where you chose to live, you will feel at home in Tahlequah.
Education
Tahlequah Public Schools
Tahlequah Public Schools provide academic and career opportunities for all students to become responsible and respectful lifelong learners and problem-solvers – confident and equipped to succeed in a technological world – all in a caring and nurturing environment.
Students graduating from Tahlequah Public Schools will demonstrate competency in
basic skills with emphasis in communications (reading, writing, listening, speaking) and mathematics, along with other challenging subject areas. They leave school prepared for responsible citizenship, further learning and productive employment.
Tahlequah Public Schools maintain zero tolerance for violent behavior and the use of drugs and alcohol. All schools offer a disciplined and safe environment conducive to academic learning and personal growth.
The following programs and initiatives show the district is strongly supported by the Tahlequah community –
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
- Passed a $2.4 million bond issue in 1997, passed with 85% approval.
- Passed a $4.8 million bond issue in 1999, passed with 85% approval.
- Passed a $4.5 million Schools Capital Improvement Levy in 2004, passed with 73% of the vote.
- Passed a $6.2 million bond issue in 2004, passed with 73% of the vote.
- $25,000 is raised annually by the TPS Foundation for classroom scholarships.
- Boys & Girls Club.
- Community and university partnerships.
- Civic Star Award Winner for community collaboration.
- Members of Drug Free Coalition Tahlequah B.E.S.T.
- Indian Capital Technology Center.
- COPS in Schools Grant – Tahlequah Police Department
- School Social Worker – Department of Human Services.
- Community Health Coalition – Cherokee County Health Department.
- Truancy Court – Office of Juvenile Affairs, Judge Mark Dobbins.
- Community Sanctions Program.
- Cherokee Co. Regimented Education Academy (CCREA), Judge Sandy Crosslin, Army National Guard, and County Commissioners.
- Northeastern State University.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS
- ACT average of 21
- 2 National Merit Scholars (01-03)
- 15 National Merit semi-finalists (90-05)
- 18 Academic All-Staters (85-04)
- 1 National Achievement Scholar 2002
- Academic State Champions
Softball 1997,1998
Girls tennis 1997, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2005
Boys tennis 1998, 2004, 2005
Cheerleading 1996, 1997
Football 1998, 1999, 2000
Jr. High Pom 1998, 1999
Boys Track 2003 - 6A Girls Slow Pitch Softball State Champs
- 10 Nationally Certified Teachers
- Nearly $1 million yearly in scholarships
- Oklahoma Civic Star Award
Shiloh Christian School
Shiloh Christian School was established in 1991. Shiloh is an independent, non-denominational educational institution that provides and promotes a quality Christ-centered education for half-day kindergarten through eighth grade. Our purpose is to set high standards for life and learning as well as pursuing excellence in all things.
Our schedule combines a variety of the leading Christian curriculums including A Beka for reading, history and science, ACSI for Bible, and A Reason For Reading for K5, A Reason For Writing for grades 1- 4th , and Saxon math for grades K5-6th grade.
Our Mission Statement is partnering with the family to cultivate academic excellence, integrate Godly principles for living, and guide every child toward maturity in Christ.
Visit our website at www.shilohcs.org to read our latest newsletter, view our photo gallery or read some parent testimonials. Write an email to request information or call us at 918-458-5041.
Sequoyah High School
This boarding school for Native American students in grades 7 through 12 is accredited by state and regional agencies. Students have the opportunity to live on campus or with their family in the community.
Northeastern State University
Northeastern State University (NSU) is a blend of the old and the new – where rich history meets modern technology. The centerpiece is stately Seminary Hall, built in 1889. NSU is located in the beautiful downtown district of Tahlequah, surrounded by Oklahoma’s Green Country and nestled at the foot of the Ozark Mountains.
Mature shade trees, manicured lawns, and colorful landscaping stretch from the Visitor Information Center at the south end of campus to the nationally renowned College of Optometry at the north end.
Founded in 1851 as the original Cherokee National Female Seminary, NSU has evolved into Oklahoma’s leading comprehensive regional university. Students can choose from 60 undergraduate degrees and a variety of graduate programs taught by a diverse faculty.
Indian Capital Technology Center
The area is served by the Indian Capital Technology Center which offers more than 65 areas of study in adult training and development on four area campuses. The center offers concurrent enrollment for high school students at either the Muskogee or Tahlequah campus of the vocational-technical program.
Talking Leaves Job Corps
Talking Leaves Job Corps is an educational and vocational training program for young adults between 16 and 24, managed by the Cherokee Nation for the U.S. Department of Labor. Job Corps provides a positive opportunity for young men and women to prepare for the working world through realistic educational and job training experiences. Training is open-entry/open-exit for up to two years, depending on each student’s individually paced learning program.
Fire and Rescue Services
In March 2001, the City of Tahlequah dedicated the new Fire Rescue Training Center. This training center, located in Tahlequah’s Industrial Park, provides the facilities necessary to train fire fighters from Tahlequah and the surrounding area. The building stands three stories tall and is 16 feet wide and 30 feet long. The confined space, rope rescue, and live burn training that will take place there was previously only available at an Oklahoma State University training center.
Since it’s opening, the fire department has added technical skills rescue training and has opened another building that houses classroom space.
The Tahlequah Fire Department has a ISO rating of 5.
Firefighting/rescue equipment includes –
- 4 pumper trucks
- 1 automobile accident rescue truck
- 1 technical assistance rescue truck
- 1 brush and grass truck
- 1 aerial platform truck
- 2 command vehicles
- 2 antique parade trucks
- Hydraulic tools, including the Jaws of Life
- Wet suits and other water rescue gear
- Rope and other high angle rescue gear
Firefighting/rescue training includes –
- Fire fighter I
- Wild land fire fighting
- LPG fire fighting
- Rope rescue I, II, III, and IV
- Trench rescue
- Confined space rescue
- Cave rescue
- Dive rescue/recovery
- Swift water rescue I, II, and III
- Vehicle fire fighting
- EMT (basic through paramedic)
- Agriculture rescue
- Hazmat
- Emergency response to terrorism
- Water supply
- NFPA and life safety code inspections
Tahlequah Main Street Association (TMSA)
TMSA is a nonprofit organization that focuses its energy and resources on revitalizing the downtown district. The National Main Street Program designed and implemented an approach that uses four elements to help individual organizations like TMSA make great strides in their communities. The four elements to this approach are Promotion, Organization, Economic Restructuring and Design. There is a committee assigned to each of these elements with specific duties and long-term goals.
Some of the goals the association has envisioned for the revitalization of the downtown district are –
- To make it strong and economically viable for new and existing businesses
- To bring in new businesses to keep a strong retail mix
- To assist merchants with business plans and building owners with facade renovations
- To promote the rich Cherokee heritage and history of Tahlequah
- To make the downtown district a destination for tourists and locals.
For more information on how you can get involved, call (918) 431-1655.