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ed funding for the construction of the Tahlequah Armory Municipal Center , which is at 100 N . Water Ave . The armory was constructed in 1937 as part of a statewide armorybuilding program . Bryan W . Nolan serves as architect , and stone was quarried locally . The outside Ashlar pattern design style was reminiscent of the day , and art deco influence is seen at the entry .

Originally , it was used for defense arms storage . On May 20 , 1994 , the building was added to the National Registry of Historic Places . It is available for public use and is used for banquets , seminars , reunions , shows , receptions , and more . For more information , call 918-456-0651 ext . 1603 .

Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum

The oldest public building in Oklahoma is the Cherokee National Supreme Court building , constructed in 1844 by James S . Pierce . The interior wood for construction came from area trees , stone for the foundation was local , and the bricks were fired nearby . The printing press of the Cherokee Advocate , the official publication of the Cherokee Nation and the first newspaper in Oklahoma was housed at the building .

Upon statehood in 1907 , the building was appropriated by the State of Oklahoma , which converted it into the Cherokee County offices

and converted into Cherokee County courthouses . The Cherokee Nation Judicial Appeals Tribunal was created by Article VII of the 1975 Constitution , and in 1999 , Cherokee Constitution changed the name of the building to the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court . The Cherokee Nation reclaimed the building in 1979 , and in 2008 , it was refurbished and turned into a museum . Visitors can come from Tuesday to Saturday , 10 a . m . to 4 p . m . at 122 E . Keetoowah St . For information , call 918-207- 3508 .

Thompson House

The Thompson House is a beautiful Victorian Home on 300 S . College Ave , and stands as a cornerstone of

the downtown Cultural District . It was designated by the Oklahoma Arts Council , and was built by Dr . Joseph Thompson as a family home in 1882 .

The home was slated to be torn down , but Beth Harrington , a local historian , led volunteers to petition to be saved . The outside is beautifully adorned with intricate woodwork , and the inside is furnished with many original pieces and period items . Many school children take field trips to the Thompson House to help them to better understand Tahlequah history . The home is open for weddings and special occasions by appointment only . Call 918-456-3554 .

PAGES 68-70 COMPILED BY BRIAN D . KING