Cherokee National Jail, Gefängnis in den Vereinigten Staaten
The Cherokee National Jail is a 19th century prison building in Tahlequah listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is constructed from sandstone with two stories and a basement, and today operates as a museum displaying exhibits about its history as Indian Territory's only jail from 1875 to 1901.
The jail was built in 1874 and served as Indian Territory's only prison until 1901, holding both sentenced and accused inmates from across the region. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, marking its importance to the local legal history.
The jail reflects how the Cherokee Nation enforced its own laws and maintained order in Indian Territory. The building itself became a symbol of Cherokee self-governance and the community's effort to manage justice within their territory.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday and features exhibits in two buildings along with a reconstructed gallows and preserved jail cells. The site is easy to locate on Choctaw Street and sits within a cluster of other historic landmarks in Tahlequah.
The museum features a working blacksmith area where visitors can observe 19th century craftsmanship and techniques in action. This functional workshop offers insight into daily inmate life and the practical work that took place within the facility.
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