National Register of Historic Places listings in Comanche County, Oklahoma facts for kids

Comanche County is in the southwest part of Oklahoma.

Welcome to Comanche County, Oklahoma! This page is all about special places in the county that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Think of the National Register as a very important list of buildings, sites, and objects that are super old and important to American history. When a place is on this list, it means it's worth protecting and remembering for future generations.

In Comanche County, there are 36 amazing places on this list. One of them is even a National Historic Landmark, which is an even more special title for places that are important to the whole country! Let's explore some of these cool historic spots.

Historic Places in Comanche County

Arrastra Site

The Arrastra Site is a unique historical spot near Cache. An arrastra is an old machine used in the 1800s to crush rocks, usually to find gold or other valuable minerals. This one is a Spanish-style arrastra, showing us a bit about how people worked and lived in this area a long time ago.

An old arrastra machine at the Arrastra Site.

Balloon Hanger at Henry Post Army Airfield

At Fort Sill, you can find the old Balloon Hanger. This building was used for storing and working on large balloons, which were important for military observation in the early days of flight. It's a cool reminder of how aviation technology has changed over time.

Inside the Balloon Hanger at Fort Sill, showing large balloons.

Mattie Beal House

The Mattie Beal House in Lawton is a beautiful historic home. Mattie Beal was a famous woman in Lawton's history because she won a valuable piece of land in a lottery back in 1901. Her house is a great example of the fancy homes built during that time.

The historic Mattie Beal House in Lawton.

Blockhouse on Signal Mountain

High up on Signal Mountain at Fort Sill, there's an old blockhouse. A blockhouse is a small, strong fort, often made of logs, used for defense. This one offers a glimpse into the military history of Fort Sill and how they protected the area.

The Blockhouse on Signal Mountain.

Boulder Cabin

Located in the beautiful Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge near Cache, the Boulder Cabin is a rustic and historic building. It's built with large boulders, blending in with the natural landscape. It shows us how early settlers or visitors lived in this rugged area.

The unique Boulder Cabin in the Wichita Mountains.

Building 309, Fort Sill Indian School

On the eastern edge of Lawton, you'll find Building 309, which was part of the Fort Sill Indian School. This school played a role in the education of Native American children. The building stands as a reminder of this important part of local history.

Building 309 of the Fort Sill Indian School.

Carnegie Library (Lawton)

The Carnegie Library in Lawton is a classic example of a library built with money from Andrew Carnegie, a famous businessman who funded many libraries across the United States. It's a beautiful building that served as a center for learning and reading for many years.

The historic Carnegie Library in Lawton.

Central Fire Station (Lawton)

The Central Fire Station in Lawton is a historic building that still serves its original purpose! It's where the Lawton Fire Department operates from, protecting the city. It's cool to see a historic building still being used every day.

The Central Fire Station in Lawton, still in use.

Chiefs Knoll, Fort Sill Post Cemetery

Chiefs Knoll is a very important and respectful place at Fort Sill. It's the final resting place for several famous Native American chiefs who were part of the Red River War. This includes leaders like Quanah Parker, Satanta, Satank, and Kicking Bird. It's a place to remember their history and legacy.

The gravestone of Quanah Parker at Chiefs Knoll.

Comanche Indian Mission Cemetery

Also at Fort Sill, the Comanche Indian Mission Cemetery is a significant burial ground. It's a place where members of the Comanche Nation were laid to rest, showing the deep connection between the Comanche people and this land.

The entrance to the Comanche Indian Mission Cemetery.

Douglass School (Lawton)

Douglass School in Lawton was an important school that served the community for many years. Although it closed as a regular school in 2011, the building is still used by the school district for training and development. It represents a key part of Lawton's educational history.

The historic Douglass School building in Lawton.

Federal Building and US Courthouse (Lawton)

The Federal Building and US Courthouse in Lawton is an important government building. It's where federal court cases are heard and where many government offices are located. Its architecture reflects the style of important public buildings from its time.

The Federal Building and US Courthouse in Lawton.

Ferguson House (Cache)

The Ferguson House is another historic residence located within the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge near Cache. It's a reminder of the people who lived in this area before it became a wildlife refuge. Even though it's now vacant, it tells a story of early life there.

The Ferguson House in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.

First Christian Church (Lawton)

The First Christian Church in Lawton is a beautiful and historic church building. Churches often serve as important community centers and landmarks, and this one is a great example of the architectural styles popular when it was built.

The First Christian Church in Lawton.

First Presbyterian Church of Lawton

Another historic church in Lawton is the First Presbyterian Church. Like other old churches, it's not just a place of worship but also a part of the city's history and development. Its design tells us about the past.

The First Presbyterian Church of Lawton.

Fort Sill

Fort Sill is a very important place, so important that it's a National Historic Landmark! It's a United States Army post that has been active since 1869. It played a huge role in the history of the American West, including interactions with Native American tribes and military training. It's still a major training center today.

Historic infantry barracks at Fort Sill.

General Officers Quarters

At Fort Sill, the General Officers Quarters are historic homes where high-ranking military officers lived. These buildings show the living conditions and architectural styles for important figures at the fort in earlier times.

One of the General Officers Quarters at Fort Sill.

Indian Cemeteries

Within the Fort Sill Military Reservation, there are several Indian Cemeteries. These are sacred places, including the Beef Creek Apache Cemetery, which is the final resting place of the famous Apache warrior, Geronimo. These cemeteries are important for remembering the history and culture of Native American tribes.

Geronimo's grave at the Beef Creek Apache Cemetery.

Ingram House (Cache)

The Ingram House is another historic home located northeast of Cache. Like other old houses in the area, it offers a look into the past lives of the people who settled and lived in Comanche County.

The Ingram House near Cache.

Lawton High School (Old Building)

The old Lawton High School building is a historic landmark in the city. While Lawton High School is no longer at this location, the building is still important as it now serves as the city hall. It's cool how old buildings can get new lives!

The old Lawton High School building, now city hall.

Lawton National Guard Armory

The Lawton National Guard Armory is a historic building that served as a training and storage facility for the National Guard. Armories are important for local defense and community events, and this one has a long history in Lawton.

The Lawton National Guard Armory.

Mahoney-Clark House

The Mahoney-Clark House in Lawton is another historic residence. Old houses like this one often have unique architectural details and tell stories about the families who lived there and the growth of the city.

The Mahoney-Clark House in Lawton.

Medicine Bluffs

Medicine Bluffs, located at Fort Sill, are tall cliffs near Medicine Bluff Creek. These bluffs are very important in Native American legends and history. One famous story says that the Apache warrior Geronimo made an impossible jump from these bluffs, which is why people sometimes shout "Geronimo!" before a big jump.

The impressive Medicine Bluffs at Fort Sill.

Medicine Park Hotel and Annex

The Medicine Park Hotel and Annex is a historic building in the unique town of Medicine Park. This hotel was a popular spot for visitors to the area, especially those enjoying the nearby Wichita Mountains. It even includes the historic Old Plantation restaurant.

The Medicine Park Hotel and Annex.

Meers Mining Camp

The Meers Mining Camp, northwest of Lawton, was once a bustling mining town. Today, it's mostly a rural neighborhood, but its history as a place where people searched for minerals is still remembered. The Meers Store & Restaurant is still open and is famous for its delicious hamburgers!

The Meers Mining Camp area.

Methodist Episcopal Church, South (Lawton)

The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in Lawton is another historic church building. Its architecture and long history make it a significant part of Lawton's religious and community story.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in Lawton.

Old Tower Two

Old Tower Two at Fort Sill was an observation tower used by soldiers from 1911 to 1918. Field Artillerymen used it to watch and direct artillery fire during training. It's a piece of military history showing how training was done over a hundred years ago.

Old Tower Two at Fort Sill.

Quanah Parker Star House

The Quanah Parker Star House is the former home of Quanah Parker, a very important Comanche Chief. The house is famous for the painted stars on its roof. It has been moved from its original spot and is now a historic site near Cache, offering a look into the life of this influential leader.

The Quanah Parker Star House.

Penateka (Elgin)

Penateka is a historic site located west of Elgin. This name refers to a band of the Comanche people, and the site is important for understanding their history and presence in this area.

The Penateka historic site.

Henry Post Air Field

Henry Post Air Field, located north of Lawton on Fort Sill, is a historic airfield. It has been used for military aviation for many years, playing a role in the development of air power and military training.

An aerial view of Henry Post Air Field.

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