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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 |
| Geronimo of the Apaches went on the reservation reluctantly. He started to farm pumpkins, which he felt was beneath him, as farming, for his culture, was women's work. |