Park Hill is filled with Cherokee history and scenic views
Park Hill is a center of Cherokee culture. It became the home of many Cherokee people who came from the East during the Trail of Tears, the displacement of around 60,000 Native Americans between 1830 and 1850. John Ross, the longest-serving Principal Chief of the tribe, lived in the area and is buried on land that bears his name, Ross Cemetery. A community museum is dedicated to him and his tribe’s history in the region. Today, the area is primarily residential, but it is zoned for highly rated schools, and residents have access to the neighboring city of Tahlequah’s restaurants, shops and entertainment. “With the rolling mountains, it’s just beautiful,” says Phyllis Garcia, a guide at the John Ross Museum. “It looks like a postcard.”
Woods and farmland surround ranch-style and New Traditional homes
Woods and large stretches of farmland surround Park Hill’s residential areas. The region’s older ranch-style homes often range from $110,000 to $250,000. Larger New Traditional properties can go from $230,000 to $650,000. Manufactured houses usually sell for between $115,000 and $200,000. Park Hill is mainly residential and does not have a traditional downtown or commercial center. The car-dependent community’s asphalt roads often have faded lane lines and lack sidewalks and streetlights. Yards are mostly grass but can feature small trees and shrubs.
Nearby restaurants serve American, Mexican and Cajun cuisine
There are no restaurants in Park Hill proper, but several sit just north of the community along U.S. Route 62 and in Downtown Tahlequah. Del Rancho is an old-fashioned diner with classic advertisements on its walls. Customers place an order by using vintage phones installed at each table. El Molcajete’s serves authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex creations, while the menu at Linney Breaux’s Cajun Eatery uses Louisiana slang to describe its classic and modern entrees. Tahlequah has Walmart and Dollar General locations.
Tahlequah Public Schools and a school choice tax credit
Students are served by Tahlequah Public Schools. They can attend Heritage Elementary School, which holds an A-minus Niche grade. Tahlequah Middle School also earns an A-minus score. Tahlequah High School offers the “Create Your Future” Careers curriculum, which teaches soft skills and pairs them with internship opportunities. It gets a B-plus rating.
The Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit gives a refundable tax credit to families with students enrolled in nonpublic schools. Families with private school students can earn credits ranging from $5,000 to $7,500, while those with homeschooled children receive a $1,000 credit. The closest private school with a Niche grade is William Bradford Christian School, around 45 miles away in Pryor, which earns an A-minus.
Hiking and biking trails, a golf course and the John Ross Museum
The Welling Ridge Trails have 6 miles of biking and hiking paths and picnic tables. Cherokee Trails Golf Course takes public tee times for its nine-hole course. Campers and anglers can head to Horseshoe Bend Primitive Public Use Area along the Illinois River. The John Ross Museum tells the story of the former Cherokee Principal Chief’s life and the times he navigated the tribe through, including the Trail of Tears and the Civil War. “If you’re interested in learning about Cherokee history, this is where you should start,” Garcia says.
A few miles north, Cherokee Casino Tahlequah offers slot machines and live music. Some casino areas have Cherokee art and artifacts on display. Park Hill Baptist Church sits along Oklahoma State Highway 82.
The Cherokee National Holiday is celebrated during Labor Day weekend
The Cherokee National Holiday is held annually throughout Labor Day weekend. It commemorates the signing of the Cherokee Constitution in 1839. Festival celebrations take place in Tahlequah and Park Hill and include live music, markets, shows, sports events and traditional games.
Ice storms and tornadoes are possible, and Tahlequah is an easy drive
The area can get ice storms in the winter, and residents are told to prepare for tornadoes. Some build storm shelters in their homes, while others take refuge in closets or bathrooms. “You get plenty of warnings when the weather is getting bad,” Garcia says. U.S. Route 62 curves through the community and heads toward Tahlequah, whose city center is around 5 miles away. Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport has more than 25 nonstop domestic flights and is around a 65-mile drive. Cherokee Nation W. W. Hastings Hospital is close to 5 miles away.
