Ferguson House
a.k.a. Ferguson Ranch House
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.
Rancher Ben Ferguson was compelled by the Army in 1926 to give up his land and home and relocate his family to a new house he built 3/4 of a mile northwest of his original location. This house, located on Highway 49 and adjacent to the National Game Preserve, was constructed with the assistance of a carpenter named Sam Reimer from nearby Medicine Park. The building was completed in 1927 along with a workshop, filling station and storage building.
The family lived in this building till 1942 when emergency war time legislation resulted in Fort Sill taking the property to extend the artillery range. After the war, in a land "swap", the property passed from the military to the Fish and Wildlife Department. The Ferguson House continues to serve as a residence for a Refuge employee and his family.
The architecture of the Ferguson House is a style popular in this region at the time of its construction. The Fergusons used the materials that were available from their land for the construction of their buildings. The Ferguson House is also a symbol of the ranching industry which has been so instrumental in the development of Oklahoma.
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.
Rancher Ben Ferguson was compelled by the Army in 1926 to give up his land and home and relocate his family to a new house he built 3/4 of a mile northwest of his original location. This house, located on Highway 49 and adjacent to the National Game Preserve, was constructed with the assistance of a carpenter named Sam Reimer from nearby Medicine Park. The building was completed in 1927 along with a workshop, filling station and storage building.
The family lived in this building till 1942 when emergency war time legislation resulted in Fort Sill taking the property to extend the artillery range. After the war, in a land "swap", the property passed from the military to the Fish and Wildlife Department. The Ferguson House continues to serve as a residence for a Refuge employee and his family.
The architecture of the Ferguson House is a style popular in this region at the time of its construction. The Fergusons used the materials that were available from their land for the construction of their buildings. The Ferguson House is also a symbol of the ranching industry which has been so instrumental in the development of Oklahoma.
Agriculture; 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.
The first permanent European settlement in Oklahoma was established by French fur traders in 1719 near present-day Spiro.
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