Lawton, Oklahoma

The city of Lawton is located in southwest Oklahoma, 86 miles (138 kilometers) southwest of Oklahoma City and 191 miles (308 kilometers) northwest of Dallas-Fort Worth. It is the county seat of Comanche County, and home to 92,757 residents.

On August 6, 1901, the area was opened to settlement by land lottery, and became a community of 25,000 in a single day. "Mattie Beal" was the second name drawn in the land lottery, and his historic mansion can still be seen today. First built in the 1860s, Fort Sill is located near Lawton, and is an important contributor to the local economy as well as a major tourist attraction. Highlights of the historic fort and museum include buildings constructed by the Buffalo Soldiers, a large collection of artillery along Cannon Walk, and the gravesites of Quanah Parker and Geronimo. To learn more about the natural and human history of the region, visit the Museum of the Great Plains. Lawton is also home to the Percussive Arts Museum and Library, which houses a remarkable collection of instruments, artifacts, and musical scores from around the world.

Nature lovers will find plenty to do year-round in Lawton. Fishing, boating, and other recreational opportunities are available at Lake Ellsworth and Lake Lawtonka. For a day of family fun, head to the Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area (LETRA), which offers a sandy beach, water slide, paddle boat rentals, and miniature golf.

The area's most famous natural attraction is the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Here visitors can drive to the summit of Mount Scott, and admire the breath-taking scenery from a height of 2,500 feet (762 meters). The wildlife refuge provides fantastic opportunities for nature-viewing, and bison, longhorn cattle, deer, and elk are just a few of the animals you may encounter during your visit. Here you'll also find the Holy City of the Wichitas. This replica of Jerusalem City covers 110-acre (45-hectare) and includes 22 buildings, and is the site of the longest-running Easter passion play in the US.

Offering fantastic natural and historical attractions, Lawton is a wonderful place to call home!

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