Fort Sill
Historical marker location:
Fort Sill, Oklahoma
( Marker is on Sheridan Road west of H.E. Bailey Turnpike (Interstate 44), on the right when traveling west.)
Marker installed: 1998
The US Army post was named in 1869 for Brigadier General Joshua W. Sill, killed in the Battle of Stone River, Tennessee, during the Civil War. The frontier post was previously referred to as "Camp on Medicine Bluff Creek" or "Camp Wichita."
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Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher was the first Black woman to attend law school in Oklahoma. In 1946, she applied to the University of Oklahoma College of Law but was denied admission because of her race. She sued the university, and her case eventually went to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in her favor. She went on to graduate from law school in 1951 and became a prominent civil rights attorney.
About Comanche County
Comanche County Timeline
Comanche County, Oklahoma has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The region was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Comanche, Kiowa, and Apache. These tribes lived off the land, hunting buffalo and practicing a nomadic lifestyle.
In the 19th century, European settlement and exploration began in the area. The United States government established several military forts to control the Native American tribes and protect settlers. Fort Sill, which was established in 1869, played a significant role in the region's development. It became an important center for communication, trade, and military operations, and it remains operational to this day.
The Land Run of 1901 was a defining moment in Comanche County's history. Thousands of individuals rushed to claim land when the territory opened up for settlement. This event brought a wave of new settlers, who established towns, built farms, and contributed to the development of the county.
In the 20th century, Comanche County became a hub for the oil and gas industry. The discovery of oil in the early 1900s led to a boom in the local economy and population. The oil industry brought new jobs, businesses, and prosperity to the area.
Today, Comanche County is a thriving community with a mix of urban and rural areas. It is home to Fort Sill and the bustling city of Lawton, which serves as the county seat. The county continues to grow and evolve, while preserving its unique heritage and connection to its Native American roots.
In the 19th century, European settlement and exploration began in the area. The United States government established several military forts to control the Native American tribes and protect settlers. Fort Sill, which was established in 1869, played a significant role in the region's development. It became an important center for communication, trade, and military operations, and it remains operational to this day.
The Land Run of 1901 was a defining moment in Comanche County's history. Thousands of individuals rushed to claim land when the territory opened up for settlement. This event brought a wave of new settlers, who established towns, built farms, and contributed to the development of the county.
In the 20th century, Comanche County became a hub for the oil and gas industry. The discovery of oil in the early 1900s led to a boom in the local economy and population. The oil industry brought new jobs, businesses, and prosperity to the area.
Today, Comanche County is a thriving community with a mix of urban and rural areas. It is home to Fort Sill and the bustling city of Lawton, which serves as the county seat. The county continues to grow and evolve, while preserving its unique heritage and connection to its Native American roots.
Comanche County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Comanche County, Oklahoma.
- 1820s - Comanche Native American tribe settles in the area
- 1836 - Congress establishes Indian Territory, which includes Comanche County
- 1851 - Treaty of Fort Atkinson is signed, creating a reservation for the Comanche
- 1872 - The U.S. government establishes the Kiowa-Comanche-Apache Reservation in present-day Comanche County
- 1901 - Lawton is established as the county seat
- 1907 - Oklahoma becomes a state and Comanche County becomes part of it
- 1910s - Oil discoveries lead to an economic boom in the county
- 1942-1945 - Fort Sill, located in Comanche County, serves as a major training center during World War II
- 1950s-1960s - Integration and civil rights movements impact the county
- 2004 - Comanche Nation enters into a gaming compact with the state of Oklahoma, allowing the operation of casinos