The Cherokee National Prison Museum was the only penitentiary building in the entire Indian Territory from 1875 to 1901. It housed sentenced and accused prisoners from throughout the territory.

It was built in 1875 and was created for the purpose of reformation as well as for punishment for offenders. The principal chief had the power to pardon condemned men, with the advice and consent of his executive council, but this was rarely exercised.

Built of sandstone rock, the penitentiary was, "made to hold the most hardened and dangerous prisoners." The Cherokee National Prison Museum offers a glimpse into the history of crime and punishment in the Cherokee Nation.

The Cherokee National Prison Museum, located in historic downtown Tahlequah, Oklahoma, is a unique interpretive site dedicated to the history of Cherokee Nation law, order, and justice. It was built for $6,000, the sandstone fortress was constructed to hold the most hardened and dangerous criminals in the territory. It focused on both punishment and prisoner reformation by teaching inmates trades like blacksmithing

After tribal governance over the prison ended around statehood, it was used as the Cherokee County Jail until the 1970s. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 28, 1974.

INTERACTIVE KIOSKS
Displays detailing the evolution of Cherokee crime, justice, and the modern-day Cherokee Marshal system.

Walk through ironclad cells, the prison kitchen, and the historic High Sheriff's office

HOURS OF OPERATION

Tues - Sat from 10am-4pm

NO ADMISSION