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Sallisaw, Oklahoma

Sallisaw, Oklahoma

Sallisaw, county seat of Sequoyah County, is located at the edge of the famed Cookson Hills to the north and the navigation channel of the Arkansas River to the south. Its name is from the French "salaisiau" meaning "salt provision." Indians, early settlers, explorers and trappers were familiar with the natural salt deposits found by many nearby streams.

"The Grapes of Wrath" author, John Steinbeck, used Sallisaw as the starting point for "Okies" fleeing to California to escape the "dust bowl" drought days. Actually the eastern part of Oklahoma has always been wooded and picturesque; it was western Oklahoma where the dry, flat land and blowing winds created the "dust bowl."

Charles "Pretty Boy" Floyd and other notorious outlaws who used the tugged and inaccessible Cookson Hills to hide in in the 1930s would surely marvel at the four-lane interstate highway, the diesel trains and the barge traffic on the Arkansas River that now connect Sallisaw with the world.

Present-day Sallisaw is an expanding center for commerce and tourism. Lakes for fishing and water sports, drives to historic landmarks, horse racing at Oklahoma's first pari-mutual track, state parks for camping and hiking, golf, tennis (or just relaxing) all begin and end at Sallisaw!

We cordially invite you to come see Sallisaw.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Outdoor Mural

This nearly block-long mural illustrates historical events throughout Sequoyah County in a collage of 21 paintings.

Sallisaw, OK Arts

Historic Churches

First Presbyterian Church - 1918 Oak and Creek Streets First Baptist Church South Elm and Creek Streets

Sallisaw, OK Historic Churches

Sequoyah's Salt Works

Salt was a valuable commodity in the early 1800s. Besides being used as a seasoning, it was also used in food preparation and leather tanning. Salt also served as a medium of exchange in the West.

Sallisaw, OK Ethnic Heritage

Sequoyah

Sequoyah was born in the lower Appalachian region of Tennessee about 1770. His mother was a member of the "Paint Clan" of the Cherokee Nation and his non-Indian father, Nathaniel Gist, left the family when Sequoyah was very young. Sequoyah grew to manhood among his kinsmen, the Cherokees.

Sallisaw, OK Famous People

Blue Ribbon Downs

Blue Ribbon Downs is Oklahoma's oldest racing facility and first pari-mutuel race track. Located on 165 acres bordered on the south by I-40 and on the north by Highway 64, is only 20 miles west of Fort Smith, Arkansas, 101 miles southeast of Tulsa and 159

Sallisaw, OK Race Tracks

Things to do near Sallisaw, OK

Skiatook Museum

Checotah Roundup Club Rodeos

Saline Courthouse

Only original remaining Cherokee courthouse. ...

Cleveland Skate Park

*COMING SOON* Located at Dr. Hanson Park...

Kiddie Park

There are fifteen rides in the Park and they all are sized perfectly for toddlers, preschoolers and grade school kids. The Pl...