Saline District Courthouse
1.5 mi. S. of the intersection of OK 33, Scenic 412 and County Road NS449, Rose, OKSaline Courthouse is a not unhandsome physical reminder of the well-organized and quite effective judicial system brought by the Cherokees from their homeland in the Southeast and re-established here in Indian Territory.
During most of its existence, the Cherokee Nation had nine districts. In 1883 each was voted $1,200 to create a uniform set of new courthouses. All were built by 1889 and Saline is the only one to survive.
A judge usually came up from Court and was held at Saline at stated intervals. Tahlequah, the nation's capital, to preside. It was only natural that a small settlement should grow up to serve it. Soon Saline had, in addition to the two-story courthouse with its broad gallery, a blacksmith shop, a church or two, a school, a doctor's office, and a large general store.
One Thomas Baggett, a white Alabaman and a lawyer, married to a Cherokee woman, owned the store "that tragic September 20, 1897, when three fine and upright men were brutally slain," to quote a latter-day (and part-Cherokee) chronicler. In short order Baggett was shot down from ambush, the man who probably witnessed it was bludgeoned to death with a gun or a bottle (presumably by the murderer), and the sheriff trying to investigate the affair was killed, how and by whom was never determined. The incident was as complicated and confusing as it was tragic and the Cherokee courts never could figure it out to their complete satisfaction. But the fact that here "three fine and upright men were brutally slain" no one questioned.
Unrelated to these tragedies are those hinted at by inscriptions on the weathered stones a hundred yards or so in front of the courthouse. Consider the broken one belonging to A. J. Colvard. "Born 1858 Murdered-- -- 1892." And at the bottom the poignant cry: "Take care of my children."
The significance of the Saline Courthouse, however, lies not so much in specific events taking place in the old building or on the grounds around it as in its symbolic representation of the Cherokee Nation's judicial system. In Tahlequah, the capital of the Nation, still stands the Cherokee Supreme Court building, itself in the National Register. Saline, as the sole survivor of the Nation's nine district courthouses, would seem no less deserving of preservation.
Local significance of the building:
During most of its existence, the Cherokee Nation had nine districts. In 1883 each was voted $1,200 to create a uniform set of new courthouses. All were built by 1889 and Saline is the only one to survive.
A judge usually came up from Court and was held at Saline at stated intervals. Tahlequah, the nation's capital, to preside. It was only natural that a small settlement should grow up to serve it. Soon Saline had, in addition to the two-story courthouse with its broad gallery, a blacksmith shop, a church or two, a school, a doctor's office, and a large general store.
One Thomas Baggett, a white Alabaman and a lawyer, married to a Cherokee woman, owned the store "that tragic September 20, 1897, when three fine and upright men were brutally slain," to quote a latter-day (and part-Cherokee) chronicler. In short order Baggett was shot down from ambush, the man who probably witnessed it was bludgeoned to death with a gun or a bottle (presumably by the murderer), and the sheriff trying to investigate the affair was killed, how and by whom was never determined. The incident was as complicated and confusing as it was tragic and the Cherokee courts never could figure it out to their complete satisfaction. But the fact that here "three fine and upright men were brutally slain" no one questioned.
Unrelated to these tragedies are those hinted at by inscriptions on the weathered stones a hundred yards or so in front of the courthouse. Consider the broken one belonging to A. J. Colvard. "Born 1858 Murdered-- -- 1892." And at the bottom the poignant cry: "Take care of my children."
The significance of the Saline Courthouse, however, lies not so much in specific events taking place in the old building or on the grounds around it as in its symbolic representation of the Cherokee Nation's judicial system. In Tahlequah, the capital of the Nation, still stands the Cherokee Supreme Court building, itself in the National Register. Saline, as the sole survivor of the Nation's nine district courthouses, would seem no less deserving of preservation.
Law; Politics/government
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
Oklahoma is above all else a people place.
About Delaware County
Delaware County Timeline
Delaware County, Oklahoma, has a rich and diverse history that spans back thousands of years. Before European settlement, the area was inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Delaware, Cherokee, and Osage. The Delawares were the first tribe to establish a permanent settlement in the area, which is how the county got its name. The Native American heritage is still celebrated and preserved today by many tribal communities in Delaware County.
European settlers began arriving in the late 18th century, primarily through the Cherokee Nation's forced relocation on the Trail of Tears. The Cherokee Nation established itself in the area, and during the mid-19th century, the community thrived. Several towns and communities were developed, and agriculture became a significant industry. However, this prosperous period was interrupted by the American Civil War, during which the area witnessed various conflicts and struggles.
In the late 1800s, the Kansas City Southern Railway was built in Delaware County, leading to increased commerce and growth. This also brought more settlers to the region, expanding the population and the development of towns such as Jay, Grove, and Colcord. The county continued to thrive agriculturally, with farming and ranching becoming the primary economic activities.
In the 20th century, Delaware County experienced both progress and challenges. The construction of Grand Lake, a popular recreational area, in the 1930s provided a boost to the county's tourism industry. However, like other parts of Oklahoma, the area was significantly affected by the Dust Bowl and the economic downturn of the Great Depression. Despite these setbacks, the county rebounded during World War II and continued to grow throughout the 20th century. Today, Delaware County is known for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and vibrant communities.
European settlers began arriving in the late 18th century, primarily through the Cherokee Nation's forced relocation on the Trail of Tears. The Cherokee Nation established itself in the area, and during the mid-19th century, the community thrived. Several towns and communities were developed, and agriculture became a significant industry. However, this prosperous period was interrupted by the American Civil War, during which the area witnessed various conflicts and struggles.
In the late 1800s, the Kansas City Southern Railway was built in Delaware County, leading to increased commerce and growth. This also brought more settlers to the region, expanding the population and the development of towns such as Jay, Grove, and Colcord. The county continued to thrive agriculturally, with farming and ranching becoming the primary economic activities.
In the 20th century, Delaware County experienced both progress and challenges. The construction of Grand Lake, a popular recreational area, in the 1930s provided a boost to the county's tourism industry. However, like other parts of Oklahoma, the area was significantly affected by the Dust Bowl and the economic downturn of the Great Depression. Despite these setbacks, the county rebounded during World War II and continued to grow throughout the 20th century. Today, Delaware County is known for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and vibrant communities.
Delaware County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Delaware County, Oklahoma.
- 1830s - Delaware County is originally inhabited by the Delaware Tribe of Native Americans.
- 1828 - The Delaware Tribe signs a treaty with the United States, ceding their lands in the area.
- 1832 - The Cherokee Nation signs a treaty with the United States, acquiring the lands that include present-day Delaware County.
- 1907 - Oklahoma becomes a state, and Delaware County is officially established as a county.
- 1930s - The construction of dams and reservoirs, such as the Grand Lake o' the Cherokees, leads to increased tourism and economic development in the county.
- 1950s - The creation of the Cherokee Turnpike facilitates transportation and brings more visitors to the area.
- 1980s - The construction of the Pensacola Dam on the Grand River further boosts tourism and water-based recreational activities in Delaware County.
- 2000s - The county's economy continues to rely on tourism, agriculture (primarily poultry farming), and manufacturing industries.
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