Musing at the Murrell Home

I recently visited the Murrell Home at Park Hill, South of Tahlequah. I have been here many times before. Anyway, I always enjoy getting out in the beautiful Oklahoma countryside and seeing familiar sites. I especially enjoy places of historical significance. You can read the following history - and much more - if you visit the Murrell Home.

George Murrell, a native Virginian who lived in Tennessee during the 1830s, married Minerva Ross, niece of Cherokee Principal Chief John Ross. During the Cherokee's forced removal from their eastern homelands on the Trail of Tears, Murrell and his wife moved to Park Hill, Indian Territory. Park Hill became the social center of antebellum Cherokee society. In 1845, the Murrell's finished building their new Greek Revival-style home. Here they operated a successful plantation and mercantile business.

This house survived many guerrilla raids by Union and Confederacy forces during the Civil War. I am very glad it stands to this day.

My great-great grandfather also came to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears in about 1838 and settled not far from here. I wonder if he ever visited the Murrell Home.