Cherokee National Cemetery - Ft. Gibson, OK - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

This cemetery is one of the few which has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. This 10-acre cemetery was established in 1857 by the Cherokee Nation and is the burial place of several of their prominent chiefs, including William Potter Ross, a Principal Chief who died in 1891. The Cherokee retained ownership until 1906, just before Oklahoma Statehood, when title to the cemetery was transferred to the town of Ft. Gibson, a mile to the west. The cemetery is also known as Citizens Cemetery.

A sign at the entrance reads: "CHEROKEE NATIONAL CEMETERY / Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma / A National Historical Landmark. Designated by Cherokee Nation as National Cemetery before Civil War and maintained until 1906. Transferred to Town of Ft. Gibson, Indian Territory. Principal Chief Wm. P; Ross and other officials and dignitaries are buried in this cemetery."

This is a nicely maintained area which contains 3477 graves. It is located on the south side of Highway 62. Paved roadways extend around the perimeter of the cemetery with additional paths in the center. The land is flat, with a few large trees.

Street address: U.S. 62 (East Poplar Street) Ft. Gibson, OK UA 74434 County / Borough / Parish: Muskogee Co., OK Year listed: 1979 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Person Periods of significance: 1875-99; 1850-74 Historic function: Funerary Current function: Funerary Privately owned?: no Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Secondary Website 2: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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