Sallisaw in Sequoyah County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
Sallisaw High School
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller
1. Sallisaw High School Marker
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Education. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.
Location. 35° 27.429′ N, 94° 47.476′ W. Marker is in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, in Sequoyah County. It is at the intersection of West Creek Avenue and South Walnut Street, on the left when traveling west on West Creek Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 218 W Creek Ave, 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: The Spirit of '76 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hoppy Lockhart Welcome Center (approx. 4.6 miles away); Dwight Mission (approx. 5.1 miles away); Cephas Washburn (approx. 7.2 miles away); Dwight Presbyterian Mission (approx. 7.2 miles away); Sequoyah Waterfall Memorial (approx. 8.8 miles away); Frederick F. Henry Memorial (approx. 10½ miles away); Tamaha Jail and Ferry Landing (approx. 11½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sallisaw.
Regarding Sallisaw High School.
this page online
Constructed from 1939 to 1940 by the Works Progress Administration, Sallisaw High School is a single-story V-shaped brick building with a partial basement that was built on the site of the previous school. The former school, which was erected in 1908, was razed in 1938; however, approximately one-third of its building materials were salvaged and utilized in the new construction.
The last, and perhaps the grandest, WPA project in Sallisaw was a new high school building, which was requested by the school board in August 1939. The third floor of the existing 1908 school building had been condemned, and the building was deemed unsafe.
The new building was to cost $65,000; however, the WPA provided $42,716 for the construction, and the local board raised $14,613 in funds. This project employed 105 men for eight months. The high school opened in 1940 and was used as such until 1988 when a new facility was built on the west side of town.
With its V-shaped plan and distinctive round entrance tower, Sallisaw High School s an unusual and distinguished example of the late Modern Movement period.
Editor's note: A local organization purchased the building in 1995 with plans to restore it into a museum and community center. However, an arson fire severely damaged the building
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 22, 2025
2. Sallisaw High School Marker
Featured marker is on the left wall.
Also see . . . Sallisaw High School (PDF). National Register nomination for the former school, which was listed in 1997. (Prepared by Patrick Zollner; via Oklahoma State Office of Historic Preservation) (Submitted on August 23, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Black Diamond yearbook (1967) (Public Domain), circa 1967
3. Sallisaw High School
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 22, 2025
4. Sallisaw High School WPA shield
Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 126 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 23, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2. submitted on August 22, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3, 4. submitted on August 23, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
