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

Dwight Presbyterian Mission

Located Here 1829

— Rev. Cephas Washburn missionary —

Dwight Presbyterian Mission Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 22, 2025

1. Dwight Presbyterian Mission Marker

Inscription. Many of the logs in this museum are from the “Blue House,” last original building to be destroyed. Dwight Mission School, co-educational, opened in 1830 with Dr. Marcus Palmer in charge. In December 1836, Rev. S.A. Worcester came to this place. In June, 1837, the first printing press in the Cherokee Nation was moved here from Union Mission. In 1839 the majority of the Cherokees arrived from Georgia having followed the “Trail of Tears”. In May 1951, Dwight became the property of the Synod of Oklahoma and is dedicated to the use of the Presbyterian Church.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Education • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1829.

Location. 35° 33.115′ N, 94° 50.756′ W. Marker is near Sallisaw, Oklahoma, in Sequoyah County. It is on East 1010 Circle 0.1 miles east of Dwight Mission Road/South 4590 Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 459134 E 1010 Cir, Vian OK 74962, 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 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Cephas Washburn (within shouting distance of this marker); Dwight Mission (approx. 6.4 miles away); The Spirit of '76 (approx.

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7.2 miles away); Sallisaw High School (approx. 7.2 miles away); Frederick F. Henry Memorial (approx. 8 miles away); Hoppy Lockhart Welcome Center (approx. 11.1 miles away); Sequoyah Waterfall Memorial (approx. 11.2 miles away); Tamaha Jail and Ferry Landing (approx. 13.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sallisaw.

Regarding Dwight Presbyterian Mission. The Cherokee Nation acquired the 201-acre property in 2021, buying it from Presbyterian Church USA-affiliated Dwight Mission Camp Inc. The site is still used as a retreat, conference center and campground.

Also see . . . 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 21, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 22, 2025

2. Dwight Presbyterian Mission Marker

The building has served as the mission's museum.

The Blue House image. Click for full size.

Unknown; Oklahoma Historical Society via The Gateway to Oklahoma History (fair use), circa 1896

3. The Blue House

An unidentified missionary, his wife and granddaughter pose on the front porch. The Cherokee Gospel Tidings, a monthly newsletter, moved its operations and printing press into the house in 1900.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 83 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 21, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.