Think you know Tahlequah, Oklahoma? You might be surprised by some of the history hiding right here in our hometown.

In this episode of Living in Tahlequah, I’m sharing 5 things you probably didn’t know about Tahlequah, including the first telephone system in Indian Territory, a World Parachuting Championship that brought competitors from around the world, the fire that changed downtown Tahlequah, a massive intertribal council held here in 1843, and just how long Tahlequah was the Cherokee Nation capital before Oklahoma even became a state.

Some of these surprised me, and I’ve lived and worked in this area for years!

Tahlequah has a history that goes far beyond what we see driving down Muskogee Avenue today. From Cherokee Nation history and historic downtown Tahlequah to events that brought thousands of people here, there are so ...