AREAS OF INTEREST
Western Cherokee Nation Capitol Complex
The Western Cherokee Nation
Capitol Complex main building was constructed in 1910 for use as a
school. It was used for that purpose until circa 1996. In 2002,
after many years of suffering the effects of vacancy and vandalism, the
tribe acquired the buildings and the surrounding five acres from the
City of Salem utilizing the tribe's non profit corporation to
facilitate the transaction. The gymnasium and the cafeteria round
out the list of
the complex buildings.Currently, the buildings and land are held in trust for the people of the Western Cherokee Nation and may not be in any way disposed of nor subjected to a long term lease without a majority vote of the registered voters of the Western Cherokee Nation.
The condition of the building has not improved much in the past five years as the funds for all but piece-meal restoration efforts have been unobtainable to date. However, recent months have shown a marked improvement of both the main building's interior condition and the pace at which it is being remodeled.
Now about one fourth of the main building is restored enough to be used daily with an additional one fourth to one third rapidly nearing completion. The cafeteria building does enjoy daily use but is in immediate need of some major repairs. Likewise, the gymnasium is used frequently, but is in great need of a new roof and water damage repair. Likewise, the site's infrastructure is also suffering the ravages of time.
Restoration Effort Images
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