BlockFrom the record
One of 20 National Register listings published here for Cherokee County · listed in 2004 · category: Site.
Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service
Illinois Campground
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
The listing
- Address. Cty Rd. DO775, Tahlequah, 74464
- When was it listed? December 2004
- Category. site
- Also known as. Cherokee Trail of Tears MPS
- Census division. Tahlequah
- National Register reference number. 04001330 - assigned by the National Park Service when the property was listed.
Fires near this property
358 since 1992Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 358 fires within 5 miles of Illinois Campground between 1992 and 2020, burning about 2,723 acres in total. 17 started naturally. 98 were recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Reported cause | Fires |
|---|---|
| Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 102 |
| Arson/incendiarism | 98 |
| Debris and open burning | 96 |
| Equipment and vehicle use | 21 |
| Natural | 17 |
| Smoking | 9 |
| Recreation and ceremony | 8 |
| Misuse of fire by a minor | 4 |
| Railroad operations and maintenance | 2 |
| Power generation/transmission/distribution | 1 |
The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.
| Date | Cause | Size | Reported by | Name on the report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 September 2000 | Arson/incendiarism | under an acre | Oklahoma Division of Forestry | not named |
| 6 September 2010 | Arson/incendiarism | 50 acres | Cherokee Nation Tribe | TAHLEQUAH CEMETERY |
| 5 September 2010 | Arson/incendiarism | 20 acres | Oklahoma Division of Forestry | 30469 |
| 4 September 2010 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 5.0 acres | Oklahoma Division of Forestry | 30467 |
| 29 September 2016 | Arson/incendiarism | 4.6 acres | Cherokee Nation Tribe | RABBIT |
| 26 September 2002 | Natural | 1.0 acres | Oklahoma Division of Forestry | not named |
| 23 September 1999 | Debris and open burning | under an acre | Oklahoma Division of Forestry | not named |
| 21 September 2016 | Arson/incendiarism | under an acre | Oklahoma Division of Forestry | not named |
Mines and quarries near this property
8 within 5 milesRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 8 workings within 5 miles of Illinois Campground: 7 past producers, 1 producer. 1 still produces. What was taken out: Sand and Gravel, Construction, Stone, Crushed/Broken, Silica, Clay. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Where | Site | Commodity | Status | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charley Ryals Chert Pit | Silica | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Limestone Pit | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Shale Pit | Clay | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Gravel Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Gravel Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Gravel Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Gravel Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer | ||
| Unknown Gravel Pits | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer |
Storms near this property
60 of 243 shownRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Tahlequah, the town this property stands in, in 243 storm reports between 1993 and 2024: 108 thunderstorm wind, 79 hail, 26 flash flood, 24 flood. The reports record 4 injuries. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 1996 | Lightning | Tahlequah | 2 hurt | no account filed |
| May 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | 1 hurt, $50,000 | Strong thunderstorm wind blew down a tree onto a vehicle and travel trailer at Diamond Head Floats Resort, northeast of Tahlequah. A person was injured by this storm. |
| August 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | 1 hurt, $25,000 | Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour blew down several trees. A few of the trees fell on homes. One person was injured. In addition, the metal roof of the sanitation plant was damaged. |
| October 1995 | Tornado (F0) | Tahlequah | $200,000 | no account filed |
| May 2005 | Flash Flood | Tahlequah | $100,000 | Heavy rains caused flooding in Tahlequah. A few inches of water entered ten business. Four people had to be rescued after their car stalled in a low water crossing. |
| July 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $100,000 | Thunderstorm winds estimated at 80 miles an hour caused extensive damage in a one square mile area in the city of Tahlequah. Twelve homes and one shed were damaged. Numerous trees and large tree limbs were blown down. |
| July 1995 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $100,000 | no account filed |
| April 2022 | Hail | Tahlequah | $75,000 | Golf ball size hail damaged homes, businesses, and vehicles. |
| October 2014 | Hail | Tahlequah | $50,000 | Hail larger than baseball size damaged vehicles and the roofs of homes. |
| June 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $50,000 | Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour damaged a hangar and some planes at the airport near Tahlequah. |
| May 2003 | Flash Flood | Tahlequah | $50,000 | Heavy thunderstorm rains estimated at a rate of over an inch an hour caused severe street flooding. A few streets had to be closed and a car on one street was half submerged. The water on Main Street was so high that it flowed into several businesses. |
| April 2009 | Hail | Tahlequah | $50,000 | no account filed |
| May 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $30,000 | Thunderstorm winds destroyed a 100 foot by 30 foot storage building, blew down 5 business signs and blew out the windows of 6 cars. |
| May 1999 | Lightning | Tahlequah | $30,000 | Lightning struck a home in Tahlequah, starting a fire and destroying appliances in nearby homes. |
| May 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $30,000 | Numerous trees and tree limbs were blown over throughout Cherokee County, including Tahlequah. Many trees were blown into electrical lines. Strong winds also caused heavy damage to the county's north solid waste transfer station. |
| July 2020 | Hail | Tahlequah | $25,000 | Ping pong ball size hail damaged vehicles and homes. |
| February 2018 | Flood | Tahlequah | $25,000 | A creek flooded cropland and a basement of a home. |
| July 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $25,000 | Strong thunderstorm wind blew down a tree onto home. |
| April 2011 | Hail | Tahlequah | $25,000 | no account filed |
| January 2008 | Hail | Tahlequah | $25,000 | no account filed |
| May 2015 | Flash Flood | Tahlequah | $20,000 | A road was washed out due to flooding. |
| June 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $20,000 | Thunderstorm winds blew 20-30 big trees down, destroyed three barns, and unroofed a shed near the Woodall community. |
| March 2024 | Hail | Tahlequah | $15,000 | Half dollar size hail damaged vehicles and homes. |
| October 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $15,000 | Strong thunderstorm wind blew down several trees and numerous large tree limbs in a mobile home park on the west side of town. Some trailers were damaged and the roof was blown off of a shed by the strong wind. |
| April 2011 | Flash Flood | Tahlequah | $15,000 | Cars were stranded with several water rescues necessary as a result of flooding. Flood water was over Highway 82 near Moodys Corner. |
| August 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $15,000 | Strong thunderstorm wind blew down a tree onto a mobile home on the west side of town. Power lines were also blown down in and around town. |
| January 2020 | Hail | Tahlequah | $15,000 | no account filed |
| May 2016 | Hail | Tahlequah | $15,000 | no account filed |
| June 2009 | Hail | Tahlequah | $15,000 | no account filed |
| July 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $10,000 | Strong thunderstorm wind blew down a tree onto an automobile. |
| April 2009 | Flash Flood | Tahlequah | $10,000 | Heavy rain caused flooding of a few low lying areas in Tahlequah. Multiple water rescues were performed. |
| June 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $10,000 | Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour blew down a very large tree limb and downed power lines. |
| May 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $10,000 | Thunderstorms winds estimated at 70 miles an hour blew down several trees, large tree limbs and power poles. |
| May 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $10,000 | Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour destroyed a barn. |
| May 1999 | Flash Flood | Tahlequah | $10,000 | A road was washed out. |
| October 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $10,000 | A barn was blown away. |
| September 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $5,000 | Strong thunderstorm wind blew the roof off of a barn and blew down large tree limbs. |
| May 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $5,000 | Several trees and a few power poles were blown down by strong thunderstorm winds. |
| August 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $5,000 | Thunderstorm winds estimated at 60 miles an hour destroyed a barn. |
| August 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $5,000 | Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour blew down trees. The falling trees damaged a few houses. |
| August 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $5,000 | Thunderstorm winds estimated by a spotter at 60 miles an hour blew down power lines. |
| May 1999 | Lightning | Tahlequah | $5,000 | Lightning blew shingles from a house roof and caused a fire in the home's attic. The time of this event is a gross estimate. |
| April 1996 | Flash Flood | Tahlequah | $5,000 | no account filed |
| July 1994 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $5,000 | no account filed |
| March 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $4,000 | Strong thunderstorm wind blew shingles off of a home and blew down a privacy fence. |
| May 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $3,000 | Thunderstorm winds estimated at 60 miles an hour blew down power lines in the Keys area. |
| August 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $3,000 | Thunderstorm winds estimated at 60 miles an hour blew down large tree limbs and power lines. |
| June 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $3,000 | Thunderstorm winds estimated at 60 miles an hour blew down power lines. |
| August 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $2,000 | Strong thunderstorm wind blew down trees and power lines. |
| August 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $2,000 | Strong thunderstorm wind blew down trees down and power lines. |
| June 2017 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $2,000 | Thunderstorm wind gusts were measured to 63 mph one mile east of the airport. Power lines were blown down in Tahlequah. |
| January 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $1,000 | Thunderstorm winds estimated at 60 miles an hour blew down large tree limbs and power lines. |
| March 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $1,000 | Thunderstorm winds estimated at 60 miles an hour blew down power lines. |
| July 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $1,000 | Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour blew down large trees and large tree limbs. Power lines were also blown down. |
| September 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $1,000 | Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour blew down trees and power lines near Keys. |
| May 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $1,000 | Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour blew down power lines. |
| November 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $1,000 | Numerous trees were blown down. |
| November 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $1,000 | Numerous trees were blown down. Other scattered trees were blown down countywide. |
| April 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $500 | Thunderstorm winds blew down several large trees. |
| May 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Tahlequah | $500 | Thunderstorm winds blew down several trees. |
Map coverage status
No historic map-sheet match is published for this property yet. That does not mean no map exists. This record needs a coordinate-quality review before it can be joined to a sheet boundary. Browse the county's mapped places while that work is pending.
Listed places nearby
6 within 8 milesOther National Register properties close enough to walk or drive between, ordered by distance from this one. Both positions come from the same geocoding pass that matched these properties to their map sheets.
| Photograph | Property | Distance | Listed |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Cherokee National Jail | 1.2 miles | 1974 |
 | Cherokee Supreme Court Building | 1.3 miles | 1974 |
 | American Legion Hut | 1.3 miles | 2006 |
 | Tahlequah Armory | 1.3 miles | 1994 |
 | French-Parks House | 1.4 miles | 1985 |
 | Tahlequah Carnegie Library | 1.5 miles | 2003 |
Sources for this property
| National Archives record | The nomination case file for reference 04001330 in Record Group 79. |
| Cherokee County | All 20 listed properties in this county. |
Provenance
- Listing record. National Park Service National Register of Historic Places, listed-properties dataset, current to 2026-05-22.
- Map join. Address geocoded through the United States Census geocoder, then tested against the published boundary of every sheet in the USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection.
- How this page is made. Listing fields come from federal records; map-sheet coverage is a labelled coordinate-to-boundary calculation, not a source-field claim.
- Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
- Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
- Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.