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 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 for the Northeastern State Normal School at Tahlequah. Location: Cherokee County is located in northeastern Oklahoma. Climate: The average precipitation is 57.0 inches yearly in this area. January's average temperature is 41.4 degrees Fahrenheit and July's average is 80.0 degrees Fahrenheit. County Seat: Tahlequah Distances: Tahlequah to: Muskogee - 33 miles Tulsa - 66 miles Land Area: 776 square miles of hilly and rugged landscape and bluffs
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