Serving as the seat of Comanche County, Lawton is located on the former reservation lands of the Kiowa, Comanche and Apache people. It is named after Henry Ware Lawton, who was the first general officer in the United States to be killed in overseas action, and lies on the doorstep of the U.S. Army post at Fort Sill.
Things to do in Lawton
History enthusiasts of all ages can get hands-on at the Museum of the Great Plains, which explores the diverse cultures that have inhabited the region. Learn about the Clovis culture who arrived around 11,500 BC and see a trading post dating back to the 1930s, then get up close to a steam locomotive built in 1926.
Adjacent is the Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center, which runs programs related to the largest American Indian tribe in the Lawton-Fort Sill area. In addition to learning about the Comanche code talkers of World War II, you can shop for handicrafts made by the local Indigenous peoples. Both museums are set within Elmer Thomas Park, which features a children’s playground, a covered picnic area and a summer splash pad.
North of Lawton sprawls Lake Lawtonka, which was created with the damming of Medicine Creek. Fed by streams descending from the Wichita Mountains, it’s a popular destination for boating and water sports during the summer months. You can refresh with a swim from the lake’s picturesque beach or try your luck at luring largemouth bass, catfish and saugeye.
Getting around Lawton
Lawton is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Oklahoma City and Will Rogers World Airport, which has flights to destinations across the United States. Flights to Dallas-Fort Worth are available from the local Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport. Regular buses connect to Lawton and travel throughout the city.