Near Sallisaw in Sequoyah County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Dwight Mission

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 22, 2025

1. Dwight Mission Marker

Inscription. First established in 1821, among western Cherokees in Pope Co., Ark. Ter. by Rev. C. Washburn, American Bd. of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. Moved to this new land of the Cherokees in Ind. Ter. 1829. Site at Nicksville, post office named for Gen. John Nicks whose widow, Sarah Perkins Nicks, was first woman appointed to U.S. government position in Oklahoma, 1832.

Erected 1995 by Oklahoma Historical Society. (Marker Number 79.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures • Women. In addition, it is included in the Oklahoma Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.

Location. 35° 27.822′ N, 94° 52.842′ W. Marker is near Sallisaw, Oklahoma, in Sequoyah County. It is on U.S. 64 ¼ mile east of South 4570 Road, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 457354 US-64, Sallisaw OK 74955, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Cherokee Nation

and in Northeast Oklahoma — Green Country.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Ozarks,

on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sallisaw High School (approx. 5.1 miles away); The Spirit of '76 (approx. 5.2 miles away); Frederick F. Henry Memorial (approx. 5.6

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miles away); Cephas Washburn (approx. 6.4 miles away); Dwight Presbyterian Mission (approx. 6.4 miles away); Tamaha Jail and Ferry Landing (approx. 7.3 miles away); Hoppy Lockhart Welcome Center (approx. 9½ miles away); Tahlonteeskee (approx. 11.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sallisaw.

Also see . . .
1. Dwight Mission. Part of the missionary effort of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM), Dwight Mission was an evangelistic venture and an offshoot of work being done among the Cherokees in the American South before removal. (Dianna Everett, in The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society) (Submitted on August 20, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Dwight Mission (PDF). National Register of Historical Places nomination for the former mission, which was listed in 1973. (Prepared by Kent Ruth, Oklahoma Historical Society; via Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on August 20, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 22, 2025

2. Dwight Mission Marker

Dwight Mission Schoolhouse image. Click for full size.

Unidentified; Oklahoma Historical Society via The Gateway to Oklahoma History (fair use), circa 1917

3. Dwight Mission Schoolhouse

Dwight Mission students at sawmill image. Click for full size.

K.C. Studio, Fort Smith, Ark; Okla. Historical Society via The Gateway to Okla. History (fair use), circa 1917

4. Dwight Mission students at sawmill

Occupational training was a key part of the curriculum at the mission school.

Dwight Mission School student body image. Click for full size.

K.C. Studio, Ft. Smith, Ark.; Okla. Historical Society via The Gateway to Okla. History (fair use), circa 1917

5. Dwight Mission School student body

The mission school opened May 1, 1830 and operated intermittently until 1948. As many as 80 students at a time were enrolled.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 253 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 20, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.