Sallisaw, the county seat of Sequoyah County, is located at the edge of the famed Cookson Hills to the north and the Kerr-McCellan Navigation Channel of the Arkansas River to the south. Its name is from the French word salaisiau meaning salt provision. Indians, early settlers, explorers, and trappers were familiar with the natural salt deposits found by many nearby streams.
In 1820, a portion of the Cherokee Indians migrated from Georgia, and in 1838-39, the remainder of the tribe was forced marched over the Trail of Tears to Indian Territory, what is now Oklahoma. The southern-most land assigned to them is the present Sequoyah County area. When Oklahoma was granted statehood in 1907, the county was named Sequoyah in honor of the famous Cherokee educator.
Sequoyah, also know as John Guess, the Cherokee soldier and teacher, gained world wide fame when he invented the Cherokee syllabary. His statue is in the Nations Capitol in Washington, D.C. as one of two greatest men. The giant redwood trees of California are also named for him.
The original log cabin home of Sequoyah is located 3 miles north of Sallisaw on U.S. Highway 59, then east on Oklahoma State Highway 101. The cabin was built in 1829 and contains many artifacts relative to Sequoyahs remarkable achievements. The Sequoyah Home is open to the public year-round.
Charles "Pretty Boy" Floyd, and other notorious outlaws who used the rugged and inaccessible Cookson Hills to hide in during the 1930s would surely marvel at the four lane Interstate Highway 40 just south of Sallisaw, the diesel trains, and the barge traffic on the Arkansas River that now connect Sallisaw with the world.
Transportation is vital to any community and Sequoyah County has easy access to the I-40 corridor. Sallisaw, with two I-40 exits, one in Vian, Muldrow & Roland. U. S. Highway 59 is a north-south route, U.S. Highway 64 runs east and west through Sallisaw. Sallisaw municipal Airport is located on Highway 59 South with a 4000 foot runway. Rail service is by Kansas City Southern and Union Pacific, which operate 4 trains daily. Kerr Lock and Dam, 9 miles south of Sallisaw provide barge traffic via the Arkansas River to the Gulf of Mexico. The channel depth is 9 feet.
Present-day Sallisaw is an expanding center for commerce and tourism. Lakes for fishing and water sports, drives to historic landmarks, horse racing at Oklahomas first horse race track to offer pari-mutuel betting-- Blue Ribbon Downs, casino gambling and entertainment at Cherokee Casino and Choctaw Blue Ribbon Downs. State parks for camping and hiking, golf, tennis, or just relaxing all begin and end at Sallisaw! Choctaw Blue Ribbon Downs offers thoroughbred and quarter horse racing in excess of 150 days per year. Blue Ribbon Downs, which opened in 1985, is the nations third largest quarter horse track. Racing fans enjoy the races from the climate controlled Club House. In 2005 the Choctaw Nation purchased Blue Ribbon Downs and installed electronic gaming machines along with some of the best horse racing in the nation. Many trainers, jockeys, and horse owners live in Sequoyah County for the year round race business.
Sallisaw is a community that has that old-fashioned laid back atmosphere. It is situated on a broad gentle plain, surrounded by rolling hills, tree covered mountains and sparkling lakes such as beautiful Lake Tenkiller. Clean skies and clear unobstructed sunsets provide an ideal setting for relaxed living, raising a family, and operating a prosperous business in this fresh and inviting environment.
Oklahoma, in the center of the nation, offers businesses a combination of advantages: central location, efficient shipping, effective modern communications, and favorable subtropical weather condition. Sallisaws superior location in east-central Oklahoma on Interstate 40 intersecting U.S. Highways 59 and 64 is unsurpassed. For your business, Sallisaw, Oklahoma is your best bet!
More than twenty-five motor freight carriers serve the community. Businesses in Oklahoma are able to distribute to approximately 50% of the U.S. population in the same day or overnight and the remaining 50% with next-day service.
Sallisaw's strong commitment to education is evident. One of the most modern schools in the state, Sallisaw High School, located on a 100 acre campus, was constructed in 1987 and has many update since that time. The Sallisaw school system also includes two elementary schools and one middle school. Several new additions have been made to the campus. The ball team is known as the Sallisaw Black Diamonds. The schools colors are orange and black.
The Indian Capital Area Vocational Technical School, Sequoyah Campus, offers occupational training and assists local businesses with a wide range of training programs. Sallisaw also hosts an extension of Carl Albert Junior College, which offers a variety of day and evening classes for the citizens of Sequoyah County. Carl Albert Junior College, Sallisaw campus, is the fastest growing campus in Eastern Oklahoma.
The Stanley Tubbs Memorial Library, located in the newly remodeled 1911 Missouri-Pacific Railroad Station, has the largest usage per capita in Eastern Oklahoma. Summer reading programs and other activities are popular with the areas children. The library is a member of the Eastern Oklahoma Library District, which provides additional aid and services to the community.
Quality living is truly a way-of-life for the citizens of Sallisaw. Housing, shopping, recreation, medical services, police and fire protection are unmatched.
Housing includes a variety of residential choices, gracious traditional older homes, large ranches, newer contemporary styles, condominiums, and small acreage. Apartments are located in several sections of the city. If you are just visiting, Sallisaw has ample motels of high quality.
Over 30 denominations of various churches and religions are located within Sallisaw and most have active youth organizations.
Young people may also participate in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies, Cub Scouts, 4-H, Future Farmers of America, Future Homemakers of America, Boys and Girls Club, and other church and school groups.
Sports are a big part of family enjoyment and scholastic participation for the county. High school sports, little league and youth games include, golf, soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, football, tennis, track, rodeo, and auto racing are all available.
Sallisaw has over 70 acres of park area offering tennis courts, ball diamonds, soccer fields, a football stadium, rodeo arena, walking trails, and a swimming pool. Parks and wildlife abound in the County. Brushy Lake, 8 miles north on Highway 17 is the site of a 90 acre park with access to 300 acre Brushy Lake with 58 campsites. Cherokee Landing State Park is 10 miles south of Tahlequah on Highway 82. The 146 acre park includes 12,650 acre Lake Tenkiller and 164 campsites. Greenleaf State Park is 3 miles south of Braggs on Highway 10A. Greenleaf features a 930 acre lake, 565 acres with 191 campsites. Sequoyah National Wild Life Refuge 3 miles south of Vian at I-40 exit 297 permits waterfowl and game hunting and fishing. Spiro Mounds Archaeological Park is 2 ½ miles north of Spiro just off Highway 9. A 140 acre site encompasses 12 mounds which contain evidence of Indian culture from 850 AD to 1450 AD. Tenkiller State Park is 10 miles north of Vian on Highway 82. 1190 park acres and 12,650 lake acres, Tenkiller Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes with all amenities.
Shadow Creek Country Clubs 18 hole golf course is considered to be one of the finest in Eastern Oklahoma. Eastlake Hills golf course is set in the rolling hills near Tenkiller lake. Muldrow also has a golf course.
Nearby rivers and lakes provide over 60,000 acres of water, within a 30 minute drive, for fishing, boating, and scuba diving. Public and private lands offer year-round hunting for a variety of game.
With Sequoyah Memorial Hospitals certified 50 bed facility, Sallisaw enjoys the finest medical services available to any community. The hospital provides many advanced medical services including a (CT) computerized axial tomography scanner. The residents are also proud of the highly trained medical and dental professionals who keep Sallisaw up-to-date with modern high-tech diagnostic equipment.
Fort Smith physicians who specialize in various medical fields make weekly appointments at Sallisaw Memorial Hospital. In addition, major Tulsa metropolitan medical services and facilities are only minutes away by utilizing the helicopter pad located at Sequoyah Memorial. Redbird Smith Cherokee Nation Health Center is available with a wide range of services for Native Americans. Several Home Health Services are available in the County for in home care.
Geography and Climate
Population of Sequoyah County estimated for 2005 is 41,200. The population of Sallisaw is approximately 8500. The population within 30 miles radius is in excess of 135,000. A population density in the area of 9.6 people per square mile.
Climate is a humid subtropical variety. January average temperature is 39 degrees Fahrenheit with a July average of 89 degrees. The area receives an average of 53 inches of rainfall annually and 6 inches of snow. The average flying days is 345. The growing season is in excess of 250 days per year.
Sallisaw is a participant in the Certified Cities Program. Sallisaw is a Capital Improvements Planning City.
