Cherokee, Oklahoma ||| population 1,476 ||| small town, USA

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Cherokee, Oklahoma, is the county seat of Alfalfa County. It has lots of old buildings in the downtown area as well as a rich history that dates back beyond when Oklahoma became a state. It is the largest town in the county and is still an important part of the community. I really enjoyed visiting Cherokee!
T-shirt: Glacier National Park
Part 107 certified drone operator
Music
Fresh Fallen Snow - Chris Haugen

[@trschoeb]

I was born there in 1950 and went to grade school and high school there. In the 50s and 60s it was a considerably more vigorous town, with a population of a little over 2,000 as I recall, and many businesses--car dealerships, hardware and department stores, lumber yards, restaurants, medical clinics, etc.--that have been gone for many years. Now for most of those things you'd have to go to Alva at least or even Enid. When I was there my family farmed and fed cattle. In those days boys, whose families farmed often began working summers and doing a man's job starting around 12 or 13 years of age, as I did 1963-1972. I left Oklahoma in 1977 to pursue career opportunities elsewhere. My last visit, in 2022, was a sad one, a family funeral.

[@Doglover-do1mf]

@trschoeb I was born in Cherokee in 1960! Mama was a RN at the hospital and daddy was at the Cherokee United Methodist Church.

[@elisevalade7143]

I have been living here for 11 years and we are moving to a smaller town in Wyoming. It's a great place to raise a family. I have loved living here so much

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Wyoming is really terrific too!

[@papabear562]

I envy you, moving to Wyoming. I would love to visit out there someday.

[@ericanonymous7859]

Where in Wyoming? I am in WY and considering OK.

[@sueelliott3206]

I'm impressed. This is a very neat little town. Thanks for sharing.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! Very nice town!

[@David-vh8ij]

I live 30 minutes north in kansas. I love this whole area.

[@ronfullerton3162]

I am stuck in a rut. Everyone of these wonderful rural area towns you have shown us, I end up saying it is a place that I could live happily. And this is just one more that I can say the same thing about. I have gone on about the memories I have come back to mind just watching you explore these wonderful towns. And once again, this town does the same. There are so many differences in these towns you have covered throughout your videos, and yet, dare I use the description, they are all of "one flavor". They all were full of life and purpose "back in the day", and were home to their populous. Oh but to have a time machine and go back and see each of these towns "in their day"! Thank you for another wonderful visit to a great little town.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Very nice and thoughtful comment 😊

[@ronfullerton3162]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Thank you!

[@stevemccoy8138]

Nice place, I used to haul cattle into Cherokee years ago ,many loads of calves to graze on the wheat. Too bad so many people have left ,but when the jobs leave ,so do the people. Thanks for Sharing. 😊

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I agree - I enjoyed my time there!

[@jeffsmith846]

Incredible number of nice buildings downtown and large churches for such a small population. I lived in Warrensburg Missouri for 25 years and it isn't nearly this nice even with 10x the population.

[@janetleeadams7287]

Half my relatives came from that area. I was laughing because most of them say 'Cherkee.' Life is too short to add that middle syllable.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Love that 😊

[@rayhemman]

My maternal grandfather was a lawyer/legislator/judge in Cherokee back decades ago. We go down (100 or so miles) several times a year to have lunch at Lola's, a wonderful Mexican restaurant.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I ate dinner there while in Cherokee 😊

[@rustyclaflin2242]

Could you make a trip to Wakita, Oklahoma,.??My old farm town.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Someday!

[@trapperjon9352]

Thank you for showing my hometown! I graduated in 1984 from Cherokee High School. I have been in 'exile" lol for the past 10 years here in Georgia. My wife's family lives here. so here we are. Lots of changes since I lived there in the early 2000's. thanks again!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kaymerry369]

Beautiful and neat well maintained town. Yes, need you forward thinking leaders& citizens in order for towns to continue. Great video.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Well said 😊

[@LouAnnScram1964]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy When did you go to Cherokee and do this Thank you This is my hometown

[@LouAnnScram1964]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy I live in Florida Now

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I did this about 2 weeks ago!

[@ErinLogan-gs5ki]

Its has a very homey feel to it. I love towns like this... Small community with a great way of life.❤❤

[@bertholini2810]

We lived in Enid and Woodward (in Oklahoma). Very nice drone footage. Really nice video. Be good, be safe and thank you for posting !!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! Nice town and area!

[@mannyortiz4814]

Thank you for taking us on a tour of Cherokee Oklahoma. These days the only way I get out is with kind people like you showing us these towns. Can’t afford to go in person. I enjoyed the visit very much. Until next time. Please, take care and stay safe. Love ya 🍺🇺🇸🌹🌞🕊❤️👍🌈😇🙏

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@roberteshaw9520]

Hey Coach. Good vibe. I like the small airport, reminds me of going up in a 152 and buzzing around with my nephew years ago.Good drone over the athletic field. The retail buildings that feature painted ads are a lost art, it's good to see an attempt at bringing that back. I also like the birds on some corners, the old hotel building looks cool. Keep on keeping on.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

That's awesome 😎

[@UMtiger311]

love these small towns that keep things up despite population loss

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Agreed!

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

Beautiful, clean little town. It sure has a lot of great buildings, which are in good condition even though they are empty. Love the video. Thanks, and best of luck to Cherokee in the future.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I totally agree!

[@asimplehorseman4648]

Lots of brick... Lots and lots of brick.... No cut stone buildings, interesting. Looks like a very proactive community for how neat and tidy everything is. Nice sports facility, small set of bleachers though, just seems odd(lol). I appreciate how you recorded early in the morning when there's not much traffic. If we make it to the next census, I'm curious to see how populations in these rural areas have fluctuated with all the urban exodus that has happened since the invisible boogie monster escaped from "the lab(s)". Thanks for sharing.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I agree. Very well built buildings throughout!

[@juanitagarcia958]

What a wonderful town! It's clean, well maintained, and yet keeps its historical roots. 😊

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yes indeed! 😊♥️

[@SusanHL]

What a lovely video to end the day on - SO many great old buildings, especially the brick grain elevator at 6:30! My dad used to spend summers with his maternal grandparents on the farm in NW Alfalfa County (it's about 3 miles due south of Kiowa) - if he was still alive, I'd ask him if he ever came here with them. The footage from the drone descending from the mist was great - I just resumed watching my other favorite channel ("Josie", based in the UK), they pay a guy to do their drone footage, which is always gorgeous - but I have to say, yours is every bit as good. Thank you for what you do, it's edifying and refreshing at the same time....😊

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Aww that is so nice of you to say about the drone footage. The drone is really incredible and makes me look better than I could without it that’s for sure! I’ve got a lot more from the county coming up - hope you like it!

[@SusanHL]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Yay!! I bet I will!! 👏🎉👏🎉

[@KenBurtner]

Very nice town and want to thank you for the tour.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you!

[@pamelacrowe4971]

Thanks John. Great history in Cherokee. Love the animals at the end.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😊

[@brucesmith9144]

Nice looking town, but seems not many people in the downtown at that time of the day. Thought that was a nice display what they for the Class of 2024 graduates. Interesting video as always. Do appreciate that you share historical facts with your videos.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you. This was a Sunday morning I believe. Most people were in church 😊

[@Doglover-do1mf]

I was born in Cherokee! Early 1960’s. My parents lived in a tiny garage apartment by the Cherokee Hospital were my mom was a RN. She worked nights and could hear me cry while my daddy took care of me and the windows were open. My daddy was assigned at the Cherokee UMC. Thank you for this video!! Both my parents are retired and older, so I can’t wait to show them this video!! I have lived in 10 little towns growing up…preacher kid😍

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Nice! Thanks for sharing 😊

[@NativePride_88]

Thank you for another beautiful video.. Making me so very homesick today. Shout-out to all my Okies. Much love! ❤ #918 #Cherokee #Oklahoma #Track #Coaches #History #Historic #Towns #Pride

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

You are so welcome 🤗

[@onrycodger]

I always watch these to their entirety annnd give the big Thumbs up!😎👍 Why you ask?🤔 Because these vids are well thought out and edited for our viewing pleasure. Thank you very much!😎

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

You are far too kind 😊

[@michaelgraves5188]

I loved Cherokee! 🙏❤️😎👍

[@aliceevans3357]

Another beautiful area to visit. Love seeing that open country and the town is being kept in good shape. They have an amazing football field and school area. Glad you got to take use on your adventures. Stay safe and GOD bless

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you Alice! It was a nicely kept town - enjoyed my visit!

[@thoward4051]

Another example of how the character of a town’s founders is passed on to their descendants, with mutual appreciation for each. I wish every small town in America was as cared for as Cherokee.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😊

[@juliogonzales5441]

Nice quiet town 😊

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😊

[@pamlaenger6870]

You make me want to move to every small town you show!!! I may not can live in each small town but I can visit them. Where can I find a list of all the small towns that you’ve visited in Oklahoma and Kansas? I’ll start with those. I’m Pioneer Pam and my van is my Covered Wagon!!!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

That’s very nice to say and I’m sure the locals who have passion for their town would be proud to hear that! I’m actually working on a map of places I’ve visited but not ready to publish it yet. Later in the summer 😊

[@larryclark4791]

Nice town, well kept

[@oklahomasoonersfootball]

Been there recently vist some family

[@dawnburke6232]

Nice town. Big nice high school !

[@OkiePoke4596]

It's the jr high too

[@Er0y]

Montage in this one is great. Thanks for all you do!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Glad you enjoyed it - thanks so much!

[@gilbertmartinez6538]

"Che-kee" ROOOOOFL!!! ....you really made me bust out laughing Looool!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

🤣

[@sandiewilliams238]

"We have a guy here that is filming the school and our track facility...he states he is a college track coach but he looks more like a college football coach...should I allow him to continue to film...please advise." "Whats his name?" "Coach Wise" "Yes, he is legit. He is a track coach at Wichita State and he has his own KZbin channel!" "OK...thanks!" 😉

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😂😂😂

[@MEandBlueBoutique]

Love this. My daughter is doing a school project and I stumbled across this as I was telling her my grandfather came from there and grew up on a wheat farm. I know that Main Street well. The brown / white building on the corner I'm pretty sure was the old bank. Last time I visited it still had the original globe lights inside of it and was a residence. I'm wondering if the main silo in town still has the mural that says "If you can't stop, smile as you go by." Also, that hospital that you mentioned was an "Old Shop" in the 80's and 90's and had the best vintage Levi's. My grandfather moved back and lived his last days in that town. He loved it there.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Awesome thanks for info!

[@nasagamin7170]

As someone whose lives here and goes to school here it’s a pretty neat little town. Been here 6 years and we have an amazing rodeo!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Nice! Would love to go to that rodeo!

[@melissajohnson4751]

Cherokee was our place to stay when traveling. Of course it was the casino and the five star restaurant that we absolutely loved !!! I really miss visiting there and eating at that wonderful place!!! Of course we ventured around... very nice ❤️

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@olvinyldude]

Took my Car to a Carshow here several years ago....had great time, great people .. Great Info/video !

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks 👍

[@olvinyldude]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Yes Sir! Keep up the great work!

[@williamgarcia102]

I currently live in the Orange County here in California. In the middle Disneyland & Hollywood… I wish it’s that easy to just pack my stuff and leave this place to move someplace else.. I was offered a position in Kauai last year but I didn’t grab the opportunity… Right now I am regretting that decision.. I would love to just live in a small town and live a simple life.. I love your videos brother

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you William!

[@tinman7130]

I take it they are serious about their high school football. Nice facility with a track. Ya got a friendly wave from the red atv rider down town,, Loved those youngsters at the end giving you the bovine eye, and of course their best side for posterity.

[@OkiePoke4596]

I graduated in 2014 from Cherokee and we had the old dirt track with the same field that had always been there. They updated the complex in 2016? Or 17. It's an 8 man turf field. Lots of track champs from Cherokee so the school deserved the track and field. Football is taken seriously. The one act and speech and debate team are always solid too

[@dc-py9dz]

Love your videos

[@lostribe5130]

Lots of well-kept buildings

[@sonny0888]

I hunted here a few times. Went to hunt ducks, but other hunters pushed me out. So I went to the local COOP and yelled out, "Who needs cranes shot off their fields!?" About 12 hands went up. Nicest people. I love Oklahoma for the people.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

That’s great 😃

[@brockpratt8459]

My mom grew up there my grandparents owned the dry cleaners there for many years so if you knew the Gibson’s they were my grandparents

[@daviddobson1113]

Looks like a nice place to live

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Agreed!

[@user-gf3lw5pi4t]

Another nice production❤

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks again!

[@cdcasitaadventures3735]

Great video!!!!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks!!

[@bonniewills2814]

Cherokee used to have the best steak house in the area - Cherokee Station - unfortunately they did not survive the pandemic.

[@julieschossow9315]

Neat town!!

[@lingerlonger]

Thanks for the tour.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

You bet!

[@johns7868]

I might be traveling through Cherokee next year. I see there's a Sonic/Subway just south of town :)

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

The Sonic was closed when I was there but Subway was open.

[@johns7868]

Cool video - Cherokee does look like a cool town to go through. I was intrigued with the old hotel building and wonder how it''s utilized now. Thanks for sharing. Side note - it threw me for a sec when you said cheeky at the end. That's a nickname for a British buddy of mine

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! I think it might be utilized as a museum of sorts but I’m not sure.

[@okiegranny4844]

For a while it was a museum but not for a couple of decades now.

[@whatsmyname3237]

Thanks!

[@williammatzek4660]

Flat area. Not built close to a stream , like a lot of towns. 2 1/2" rain last night. That should run some water under Thearosa bridge. (Jester creek). Have a good day John !!!

[@adelaidemorningstar1870]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@randybutternubs4519]

Glad I'm not the only one to notice CHE-KEE. LOL I read it every day. Thanks for the video.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😂😂 thanks!

[@MollieC-uc1fk]

Way too many closed businesses. Once the oil companies had enough of fracking, all the excitement left. Otherwise, I go through on my way home to my birth town Memorial weekend. Salt plains isn't far from there so a good place to hunt for crystals if you want.

[@MaxJr.-kp6ib]

I wish go Oklahoma but i I conservatorship i can't Afforded 😢 but Great videos 😢

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks!

[@MaxJr.-kp6ib]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy you're welcome

[@008Birdman]

I stopped there on a cold March morning to wash off shoe polish off my car the day after My wife and I got married. I didn’t realize that it was still freezing and after paying my money to wash the car, the pipes busted at the car wash. Oops.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😬

[@anderander5662]

Why would people who can work anywhere live in a big city?

[@steved3596]

Go to Shattuck.

[@jakewhitesides4642]

Did you ever stop in at the United grocery store there

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I didn’t stop there

[@1095TA]

I grew up there and while there were and are still lots of good people living there it was never special to me. The best decision I ever made was moving away from Cherokee as I founding it lacking for my personal growth.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I think it’s good to grow and explore new places. I certainly have. But I also have a lot of respect for where I grew up. It was a tough area and helped me in places I didn’t realize until I got older.

[@vickilindberg6336]

When are you recording this? It seems very empty.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

On a Sunday morning. Most people were in church.

[@robertkellett1156]

I was going to ask the question to.

[@robertkellett1156]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Church! Really?... I live in a town of 13,000 people, we only have one church that has to be for religions. Even then its not ever full.

[@amanthasanborn747]

I live in Cherokee we have 8 churches.

[@willagrant7403]

You must have filmed early in the morning, it is nicer that it looks & really doesn't show for what it is worth.

[@whatsmyname3237]

Thanks!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks so much!