Buffalo Lodge
NW of Cache, Cache, OKBefore Europeans reached the territory which is now Oklahoma, the Wichita people inhabited the area containing the Wichita Mountains. In the last quarter of the nineteenth century the Kiowa and Comanche tribes were moved to a reservation in this same area. As it became evident that the frontier was closing, white settlers increased their demands for the opening of Indian lands. This portion of the Wichita Mountains was not broken up for settlement, however, as the leases of the grazing land to Texas cattlemen prevented this.
At the turn of the century the efforts of the Oklahoma City Commercial Club, with its many influential civic leaders, persuaded the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation to support conservation endeavors for the Wichita Mountains. The area was proclaimed the Wichita Forest Reserve in 1901, and a National Game Preserve in 1905.
Buffalo Lodge, one of the oldest structures on what is now the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, was built by the Forest Service in 1913 by Frank Rush. It served as the Reserve-Preserve office building for many years until it was used as a residence by the Rush family. The building is located in the residential area of Refuge Headquarters among the oak and cedar trees native to the locale.
The architecture of the Buffalo Lodge is a style that was popular for this region at the time of its construction. The cobblestone was a material that was readily available from the land so its incorporation in exterior walls was extensively used by builders. Because of the cobblestones use for buildings in this area, the structures tend to strongly blend with the surroundings and become organic in their character.
Buffalo Lodge is significant because of its association with the early days of the Preserve and particularly with Frank Rush. Rush was the guiding force in re-establishing many big game animals on the Preserve, most notably the buffalo. Built in 1913, Buffalo Lodge served for many years as the Reserve-Preserve office building and later as the Rush Family residence.
Local significance of the building:
At the turn of the century the efforts of the Oklahoma City Commercial Club, with its many influential civic leaders, persuaded the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation to support conservation endeavors for the Wichita Mountains. The area was proclaimed the Wichita Forest Reserve in 1901, and a National Game Preserve in 1905.
Buffalo Lodge, one of the oldest structures on what is now the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, was built by the Forest Service in 1913 by Frank Rush. It served as the Reserve-Preserve office building for many years until it was used as a residence by the Rush family. The building is located in the residential area of Refuge Headquarters among the oak and cedar trees native to the locale.
The architecture of the Buffalo Lodge is a style that was popular for this region at the time of its construction. The cobblestone was a material that was readily available from the land so its incorporation in exterior walls was extensively used by builders. Because of the cobblestones use for buildings in this area, the structures tend to strongly blend with the surroundings and become organic in their character.
Buffalo Lodge is significant because of its association with the early days of the Preserve and particularly with Frank Rush. Rush was the guiding force in re-establishing many big game animals on the Preserve, most notably the buffalo. Built in 1913, Buffalo Lodge served for many years as the Reserve-Preserve office building and later as the Rush Family residence.
Conservation; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain.
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
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