Chiefs Knoll
a.k.a. Post Cemetery
Macomb and Burrill Rds., Fort Sill, OKThe Chiefs Knoll at Fort Sill is known to the Indians of the South Plains as the "Indian Arlington." Here lie buried in a single location many of their war chiefs and peace chiefs of a hundred years ago.
The earliest Indian burial here, by order of the Post Commander, was Satank or Sitting Bear, the fierce leader of the Kiowa Indians, who was killed by 4th Cavalry troopers in 1871. He was followed by Ten Bears, noted peace chief of the Yapparika Comanches, who was buried with full military honors on his death in 1872. Others include Chiefs Kicking Bird, Stumbling Bear, and Big Bow of the Kiowas, Horseback and Iron Mountain of the Comanches, and Little Raven, Yellow Bear, and Spotted Wolf of the Arapahoes. Many were signers of the Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty of 1867. Some represent reburials from unmarked isolated locations in recent years, performed by Fort Sill authorities at the request of the Indian descendants.
This knol1 is the oldest section of the Post Cemetery, established in 1869 and includes the graves of the earliest Cavalry troopers and white scouts who died here in that period. The Fort holds Veterans Day ceremonies at this location annually, and Indian descendants continue to decorate the graves of their chiefs, in tribute to their past.
Local significance of the site:
The earliest Indian burial here, by order of the Post Commander, was Satank or Sitting Bear, the fierce leader of the Kiowa Indians, who was killed by 4th Cavalry troopers in 1871. He was followed by Ten Bears, noted peace chief of the Yapparika Comanches, who was buried with full military honors on his death in 1872. Others include Chiefs Kicking Bird, Stumbling Bear, and Big Bow of the Kiowas, Horseback and Iron Mountain of the Comanches, and Little Raven, Yellow Bear, and Spotted Wolf of the Arapahoes. Many were signers of the Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty of 1867. Some represent reburials from unmarked isolated locations in recent years, performed by Fort Sill authorities at the request of the Indian descendants.
This knol1 is the oldest section of the Post Cemetery, established in 1869 and includes the graves of the earliest Cavalry troopers and white scouts who died here in that period. The Fort holds Veterans Day ceremonies at this location annually, and Indian descendants continue to decorate the graves of their chiefs, in tribute to their past.
Native American; Military
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
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 was originally home to many Native American tribes, including the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole nations. These tribes were forcibly relocated to Oklahoma from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States during the 1830s and 1840s in a tragic event known as the Trail of Tears.
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