For anyone interested at all in Indian Territory, frontier, or Native
American history, Fort Sill is THE place to go. This bastion from the Old
West flourishes as the last remaining, active military post that was
built during the Indian wars.

Established in 1869 by Major General Phillip H. Sheridan, Fort Sill's
primary function was to halt border raids by the Plains Indians. The
Comanches, Kiowas, and Apaches saw their way of life quickly
disappearing by the onslaught of Texas settlers, the newly arrived
Kansas and Nebraska tribes (who had been expelled as part of the
reconstruction treaties between Indian Territory's "Five Civilized
Tribes"), and the progress of the Chickasaws and Cherokees, who
bordered the lands to the east. By 1870, the Plains Indians declared
themselves in open warfare against the Americans.

From Fort Sill, some of the most famous American frontier scouts
embarked to battle the Native Americans, such as "Buffalo Bill" Cody
and "Wild Bill" Hickock. The 19th Kansas Volunteers and the 10th
Cavalry, widely known as the African American Buffalo Soldiers,
conducted scouting expeditions of their own. The fort served as home
to several displaced Indians tribes, it housed prisoners of war from the
Apaches and Kiowas tribes as well.

In 1871, Kiowa warriors, under Chiefs Satanta and Big Tree, ambushed
and killed the Warren Wagon Train in Young County, Texas. Based in
Fort Sill, the Kiowas boasted of this coup when General William
Tecumseh Sherman found out about it. Sherman (who had gained fame
and a reputation for remorseless warfare on his March on Georgia
during the Civil War), had the Kiowas responsible for the assault  
arrested and sent to Fort Richardson (Jack County, Texas) to stand
trial. The accused men, the first Indians ever tried on criminal charges
in an American civil court, were sentenced to death, though Chief
Satanta's eloquent speech about his people's suffering helped to spare
their lives.

Sherman understood that the only way to defeat the Indians was to
wage a war of attrition, thus beginning a series of skirmishes now
known as the  Red River Wars in 1871. Fort Sill became the
headquarters for the American troops. In 1875, the Plains Indians
surrendered at Fort Sill, and made the fort and the land surrounding it
their home. The Comanches, Kiowas and Apaches offered to let
Geronimo and his people, who had been expelled from their own
homelands in Arizona, stay at the fort, too.

Though considered a prisoners
of war, the Native Americans
did not spend time in cells.
Instead, they took on life as
farmers, though they always
longed for the buffalo hunt.
Quanah Parker, the last
Comanche Chief, built Star
House west of the fort, which
served as the headquarters
for the Comanche Nation.
Geronimo lived out his life
successfully farming
pumpkins and squash, and
made money on the side
selling autographs and momentos.
All of these famous men, plus
many more signers of the
Medicine Lodge Peace Treaties
(1867), are buried at the Fort Sill
cemetery.

Fort Sill is the last tangible link to frontier history in the United States,
and is worth a lengthy visit. As it is an active  military post, you will be
subjected to a search upon entering the fort, but the grounds are free
to tour. So enjoy the incredible history that is Fort Sill!
Geronimo's jail cell door. Myths about
Geronimo's legendary powers abound, like the
one that claims he purposefully bent the bars of
his cell door while angry. By all accounts at Fort
Sill, however, Geronimo was a pleasant man
who lived a relatively quiet life at the fort.
How to Get There:

Fort Sill is located in the city of Lawton. To get
there, take Interstate 44 (which is also US
Highways 62, 277, and 281) north from
Lawton to the "Historic Fort Sill" entrance (you
can't miss it). Ask for a map at the security
check point, so you'll know where to find the
original fort, the famous guard house, the
Apache cemetery (with Geronimo's grave),
and Fort Sill's cemetery, where Quanah and
Cynthia Ann Parker are buried. The fort has
also excellent signs to guide you as you drive
around.
                       Fort Sill's Famous Dead People!           
Cynthia Ann Parker, mother of Quanah
Black Beaver, who helped to forge
the pioneer trails in northern
Oklahoma that would later become
the Chisholm Trail
The last Comanche Chief, Quanah Parker
Geronimo's grave in the peaceful
Apache cemtery
Know Your History!

The Apaches still call Fort Sill home. The
Apache group, originally from the arid lands
in what is now Arizona, are kin to the
Chiricahuas (Geronimo's group). Their
website, Fort Sill Apache Nation, can tell you
more.
Kiowa Chief Sitting Bear's grave
Kiowa Chief Satanta, who fought to
preserve his people's way of life.
Oldest barracks at Fort Sill
Fort Sill holds some very important historical
relics in its collection. To the left is the flag for
the 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers.
In many ways, Fort Sill serves as the end of history for the Plains Indians. These Library of Congress photos remind us
of what was lost when the Americans took over the Great Plains. On the upper right, the caption says it all - Geronimo
slaughtered one last buffalo before having to farm like the white man. In the upper left photo, Fort Sill becomes a real
town by 1889, anchoring what would become Lawton, Oklahoma.
Fort Sill: The
Western Frontier