Fort Sill, Oklahoma – Last Active Frontier Fort
Nestled in the southwestern plains of Oklahoma, a testament to the enduring legacy of the American West stands tall: Fort Sill. As the sole remaining active Army installation among the numerous frontier forts erected on the Southern Plains during the tumultuous Indian Wars, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, holds a unique distinction. This historic site, officially designated a National Historic Landmark, continues to play a vital role in the nation’s defense as the home of the U.S. Army Field Artillery School and a key training ground for field artillery personnel.
The story of Fort Sill is interwoven with the narratives of westward expansion, Native American resilience, and the evolution of the United States Army. From its initial purpose of quelling conflict and maintaining order on the frontier to its current role as a center for military education and innovation, Fort Sill has adapted and endured, earning its place as a living monument to American history.
The genesis of Fort Sill, Oklahoma, can be traced back to January 8, 1869. On this day, Major General Philip H. Sheridan, a prominent figure in the Union Army during the Civil War, personally staked out the location for the new military post. Sheridan’s campaign into Indian Territory was driven by the need to curb the escalating raids conducted by hostile tribes on border settlements in Texas and Kansas. The establishment of Fort Sill was intended to serve as a deterrent, a symbol of federal authority, and a base of operations for military expeditions aimed at restoring peace to the region.
In its early years, Fort Sill served a multifaceted purpose. Beyond its primary mission of maintaining order and suppressing hostilities, the fort also played a crucial role in law enforcement. Ironically, one of its key responsibilities was to protect the very Native American populations it was initially established to control. As the frontier expanded, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, became a sanctuary for Native Americans against the predations of outlaws, squatters, and cattle rustlers who sought to exploit the resources and opportunities of the newly opened territories. This dual role highlights the complex and often contradictory nature of frontier life and the government’s policies towards Native Americans.
Sheridan’s initial campaign to establish Fort Sill was a formidable undertaking. It involved the deployment of six cavalry regiments, supported by a contingent of experienced frontier scouts. Among these scouts were legendary figures such as "Buffalo Bill" Cody and "Wild Bill" Hickok, whose names have become synonymous with the romanticized image of the Wild West. The troops who built the fort included the distinguished 10th Cavalry, a unit comprised of African American soldiers known as "Buffalo Soldiers." These dedicated men, often facing prejudice and hardship, played a crucial role in constructing many of the durable stone buildings that still grace the Old Post Quadrangle, serving as a tangible reminder of their contribution to the fort’s legacy.
Initially dubbed "Camp Wichita," the garrison soon acquired a more evocative moniker from the local Native American tribes: "the Soldier House at Medicine Bluffs." However, the official name of the post was soon to change. Sheridan, in a gesture of respect and remembrance, named the fort in honor of his West Point classmate and friend, Brigadier General Joshua W. Sill, who had tragically fallen in battle during the Civil War. This act of commemoration solidified Fort Sill, Oklahoma’s place in the annals of military history. The first post commander was Brevet Major General Benjamin Grierson, while the first Indian agent was Colonel Albert Gallatin Boone, grandson of the famous frontiersman Daniel Boone.
A few months after the establishment of Fort Sill, President Ulysses S. Grant implemented a "Peace Policy" aimed at fostering more harmonious relations with Native American tribes. This policy placed responsibility for the Southwest tribes under the authority of Quaker Indian agents, who were tasked with promoting education, agriculture, and assimilation. However, this policy had unintended consequences. Soldiers at Fort Sill were restricted from taking punitive action against the Indians, a perceived weakness that emboldened some tribes to resume raiding along the Texas frontier.
In 1871, General William Tecumseh Sherman’s visit to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, brought the simmering tensions to a head. Sherman, a renowned Civil War general, was confronted by Kiowa chiefs who openly boasted about a recent wagon train massacre. Incensed by this display of defiance, Sherman ordered their immediate arrest, prompting two Kiowa warriors to attempt an assassination. This incident underscored the volatile atmosphere on the Southern Plains and the challenges faced by the U.S. Army in maintaining order and enforcing federal authority.
Despite the government’s peace initiatives, the raids persisted. Deprived of grazing lands for their livestock and facing the dwindling buffalo herds, the Comanche, Kiowa, and Southern Cheyenne tribes launched a full-scale war in June 1874. The Southern Plains echoed with the thunder of Indian war parties, prompting a swift and decisive response from the U.S. Army. The ensuing Red River Campaign, a year-long military operation, resulted in the final relocation of the Southern Plains Indians to reservations, effectively ending their traditional way of life. Quanah Parker, the charismatic leader of the Quahadi Comanche, was the last to surrender, marking a watershed moment in the history of the Southern Plains. His arrival at Fort Sill’s Quartermaster Corral in June 1875 symbolized the end of Plains Indian warfare in the region.
However, Fort Sill’s connection with Native Americans did not end with the cessation of hostilities. In 1892, Lieutenant Hugh L. Scott organized Troop L of the 7th Cavalry, an all-Indian unit composed of Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache warriors. This unique unit played a crucial role in preventing the spread of the Ghost Dance uprising of the 1890s to the Southern Plains. Troop L, recognized as one of the most effective units in the West, was disbanded in 1897, marking the end of Indian troops in the United States Army until modern times.
In 1894, Geronimo, the legendary Apache warrior, and 341 other Apache prisoners of war were brought to Fort Sill, where they resided in villages on the military reservation. Geronimo, a symbol of Native American resistance, was granted permission to travel with Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show for a period, and he even met with President Theodore Roosevelt before his death from pneumonia in 1909. The remaining Apache prisoners remained at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, until 1913, when they were taught to build houses, cultivate crops, and raise livestock, marking a transition towards assimilation and integration into American society.
With the disappearance of the frontier, Fort Sill’s mission underwent a gradual transformation. The focus shifted from cavalry operations to field artillery, reflecting the changing nature of warfare. In 1902, the first artillery battery arrived at Fort Sill, signaling the beginning of a new era. By May 1907, the last cavalry regiment had departed, solidifying Fort Sill’s role as a center for artillery training and development.
The School of Fire for the Field Artillery was established at Fort Sill in 1911, and it continues to operate today as the world-renowned U.S. Army Field Artillery School. Over the years, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, has also served as the home of the Infantry School of Musketry, the School for Aerial Observers, the Air Service Flying School, and the Army Aviation School, solidifying its reputation as a versatile and adaptable training center for the U.S. Army.
Today, the National Historic Landmark boasts many of its original structures, some of which are still used by the military, while others have been incorporated into the Fort Sill Museum, established in 1934. The museum, the largest in the U.S. Army, comprises 46 historic buildings and 26 structures that house its extensive collections.
The Old Post Quadrangle features historic homes, museum buildings, and the Old Post Chapel, where services have been held continuously since its founding in 1875. The museum exhibits showcase military memorabilia, the history of soldiers and Native Americans on the Southern Plains, and a replica of the Post Trader’s Store and blacksmith shop. Cannon Walk features historic field artillery weapons from around the world. The fort also hosts events throughout the year that demonstrate life in the 19th century and showcase soldier engagements.
The post cemetery is the final resting place of Apache warrior Geronimo and other notable Native Americans, including Quanah Parker, Satanta, and Satank, at Chief’s Knoll. Fort Sill is located just north of Lawton, Oklahoma, west of I-44, where it stands as a testament to a bygone era and a vibrant, active military installation.
