Sequoyah's Cabin facts for kids
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Sequoyah's Cabin
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A reproduction of the cabin standing outside the protective shelter
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 Location in Oklahoma
Location in the United States
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| Location | 470288 Highway 101 |
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| Nearest city | Akins, Oklahoma |
| Area | 10 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Built | 1829 |
| Architect | Sequoyah |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000634 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 21, 1965 |
Sequoyah's Cabin is a special log cabin and historic place in Oklahoma. It's located near Akins, Oklahoma, off Oklahoma State Highway 101. This cabin was the home of a very important Cherokee man named Sequoyah from 1829 to 1844.
Sequoyah, also known as George Gist, lived from about 1765 to 1844. In 1821, he created a written language for the Cherokee people. This amazing achievement helped his people communicate and record their history. The cabin and the park around it were recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1965. Today, the Cherokee Nation owns and cares for this important site.
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What is Sequoyah's Cabin?
Sequoyah's Cabin is found east of Akins, right next to State Highway 101. It's a simple, one-story cabin made of logs with a pointed roof. The cabin sits on about 10 acres of land that looks like a peaceful park.
To protect it from weather, a brick building was built around the cabin in the 1930s. Outside, you can see a bronze statue of Sequoyah himself. The cabin is now a historic house museum. It's set up to look just like it did when Sequoyah lived there. You can also see old items and papers connected to his life.
Who Was Sequoyah?
Sequoyah was born around 1770. His mother was Cherokee, and his father was white or part-white. He grew up learning the ways and customs of his Cherokee tribe in the southeastern United States. He didn't go to school in the way we do today.
Why Did Sequoyah Create a Written Language?
Sequoyah understood how important writing was. He saw how British settlers nearby used writing to communicate. This made him want to create a way for his own people to write down their words.
Around 1809, he started working on a writing system for the Cherokee language. After many years, he created the Cherokee syllabary. This is a system where each symbol stands for a syllable, not just a single letter. It was a huge success! Many Cherokee people quickly learned to read and write using his system.
Sequoyah's Move West
In the 1820s, Sequoyah moved west. He wanted to teach the western Cherokee people his new writing system. It was during this time, in 1829, that he built this cabin.
History of the Cabin
The cabin became a part of history when the Oklahoma Historical Society bought it in 1936. The brick shelter that protects the cabin today was built in 1936 by the Works Progress Administration. This group helped create jobs during a tough time in history. The shelter is surrounded by a 10-acre park.
In 1965, Sequoyah's Cabin and its park were named a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a place of great importance to the history of the United States. A year later, on October 15, 1966, it was also added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The Cherokee Nation bought the cabin and its land in 2016 for $100,000. They continue to preserve this special place.
See also
