Medicine Bluffs
Medicine Bluff Creek, Fort Sill, OKProminent landmark noted, described, and explored by all early expeditions and held in deep reverence by the Indian tribes of this area from time immemorial. General Marcy and his Red River Expedition of 1852, and Generals Sheridan, Custer, and Grierson on campaign of 1868-69 are historically associated. The Bluffs are rich in legend as well as history. Fort Sill was established adjacent to the Bluffs January 8, 1869.
The significance of the Bluffs in the Indian mystique derived in part from the fact that there are four of them, and four was a sacred number to the tribes of the region. A medicine men's rock cairn stood on the summit of Bluff No.3. Here the sick were brought to be healed or disposed of by the supernatural and young warriors in lonely vigils presented their shields to the rising sun for power. Legends say that this was also a famous place for Indian suicides. The enormous fissure in the Bluffs was known as the "Medicine Man's Walk."
The first. U.S. expedition to explore the sources of Red River, the Marcy Expedition, camped opposite the Medicine Bluffs on 19 July 1852. BG (then CPT) Randolph B. Marcy and GEN (then LT) George B. McClellan explored the area with a company of the 5th Infantry and Delaware Indian scouts. GEN Marcy recommended the site as an ideal location for a military post to control the South Plains tribes.
When Fort Sill was established near the bluffs in 1869 it was known to the Indians as "The Soldier House at Medicine Bluffs." Today the Medicine Bluffs continue to dominate the immediate skyline of the Fort Sill landscape as they have for ages past.
Local significance of the site:
The significance of the Bluffs in the Indian mystique derived in part from the fact that there are four of them, and four was a sacred number to the tribes of the region. A medicine men's rock cairn stood on the summit of Bluff No.3. Here the sick were brought to be healed or disposed of by the supernatural and young warriors in lonely vigils presented their shields to the rising sun for power. Legends say that this was also a famous place for Indian suicides. The enormous fissure in the Bluffs was known as the "Medicine Man's Walk."
The first. U.S. expedition to explore the sources of Red River, the Marcy Expedition, camped opposite the Medicine Bluffs on 19 July 1852. BG (then CPT) Randolph B. Marcy and GEN (then LT) George B. McClellan explored the area with a company of the 5th Infantry and Delaware Indian scouts. GEN Marcy recommended the site as an ideal location for a military post to control the South Plains tribes.
When Fort Sill was established near the bluffs in 1869 it was known to the Indians as "The Soldier House at Medicine Bluffs." Today the Medicine Bluffs continue to dominate the immediate skyline of the Fort Sill landscape as they have for ages past.
Native American
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
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 concise overview of the key events in the history 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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