Tahlonteeskee, Oklahoma facts for kids
Tahlonteeskee, Oklahoma (also called Tahlontuskey by the Cherokee people) was the very first capital city for the western Cherokee Nation. It was named after Tahlonteeskee, who was an important leader, serving as the third Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation – West from 1817 to 1819. Today, the place where Tahlonteeskee once stood is an empty, quiet area on private land in Sequoyah County.
History of Tahlonteeskee
The land where Tahlonteeskee was built became part of a deal called Lovely's Purchase in 1816. The town itself was started in 1828. It was located close to where the Illinois River flows into another river.
Capital for Old Settlers
Tahlonteeskee became the main city for a group of Cherokee people known as the "Old Settlers." These were Cherokee who had moved west before the larger groups arrived later. Chief John Jolly, who was Tahlonteeskee's brother, named the town to honor his brother after he had passed away. A Christian school and church, called the Dwight Mission, also moved to this area when many Cherokee people migrated west in the early 1800s.
Changing Capitals
Tahlonteeskee served as the capital for the western Cherokee people from 1828 until 1839. Around this time, many more Cherokee people arrived in the area. These new arrivals came after a difficult journey known as the Trail of Tears. Because so many new people arrived, the capital city needed to change.
For a short time, another town called Takatoka became the capital. But soon, the government seat moved to Tahlequah, Oklahoma. This move happened once a new capitol building was finished there. After that, the government stayed permanently in Tahlequah.
Even after it was no longer the capital, Tahlonteeskee continued to be a place where the Old Settlers would meet. They used it to discuss and solve disagreements between different groups within the tribe.
Tahlonteeskee Today
Tahlonteeskee was the oldest government capital in what is now Oklahoma. However, today it is like a ghost town or an empty area. It is located on private land near Gore, Oklahoma.
