category : Markers

Here in September, 1885, the first telephone in Oklahoma was connected for service. It was the first telephone in the Mississippi Valley west of St. Louis. The company was organized by a group of Cherokees, namely, D.W. Lipe, L.B. Bell, R.M. Wolfe, J.S. Stapler, J.B. Stapler, and E.D. Hicks.

This monument was erected as a public service by the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company.

Adjacent to this marker is another marker reading -

John Brian ( J.B.) Stapler

- The first man to speak on the telephone west of the Mississippi from Fort Gibson to Tahlequah.

Address: Cherokee Square surrounding the Capitol Building.

Come visit us in Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Cherokee National Prison

This sandstone building was erected in 1874 and originally had three stories. The third story was removed in 1925

Tahlequah, OK Historic Buildings

Tsa-La-Gi Outdoor Theater

Also located on the grounds of the Cherokee Heritage Center is the Tsa-La-Gi Theater, a 1,200

Tahlequah, OK Theatres

Self-Guided Tour of Historic Tahlequah

History is one of Tahlequah's most valuable resources, much of it in the history of the Cherokee Nation ... to a Civil War cabin ... to homes of townspeople at the turn of the century.

Tahlequah, OK Tours

Old Cherokee Capitol Building

The Cherokee Council first met in 1839

Tahlequah, OK Ethnic Heritage

The Cherokee National Museum

The Cherokee National Museum is the only facility devoted to the preservation of the heritage of the Cherokee Nation, the second largest American Tribe. The 20,000

Tahlequah, OK Museums

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The First Telephone