Great Plains Country, Oklahoma
In southwestern Oklahoma the golden shortgrass prairie extends for mile after undulating mile, mirroring the sky in its vastness. Less than a century and a half ago, the Southern Plains were the domain of the Kiowa and Comanche, who hunted buffalo on horses bridled with Spanish silver and traded with the Wichitas, farmers who lived in grass houses. To the Kiowa, the earth was sacred, and the Wichitas believed their ancestors lived on in the 650-million-year-old granite boulders of the Wichita Mountains. Travelers exploring the region today may encounter moments of similar reverence -- watching the sun set from atop Mount Scott in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, for instance, or watching an eagle soar in winter. A rowdier spirit lives endures in the area, too: Teddy Roosevelt created the wildlife refuge after he traveled to Oklahoma Territory to hunt wolves. Bison now graze on the 60,000-acre preserve, along with longhorn cattle, antelope and elk -- rugged mountain biking, hiking, camping and backpacking are permitted in some areas.
Explore Great Plains Country
Elk City Lake
- 750 Acre Park
- 250 Acre Lake
- Picnic Pavilions with Grills
- Boating & Fishing
- Playground
- Swimming Beach Area
- 2 Boat Ramps with Docks
(1 Fishing Dock) - Campgrounds
- R V Sites - Free
(with electrical hookups) - Dump Station (Nearby)
- Hiking< Elk City, OK Recreation
The Hughes Building and Hughes Jewelry
Originally the National Bank of Commerce (est 1902) with a Victorian red brick exterior, this historic Frederick building has for some 70 years now been clad with the beige 'deco' rock exterior it features today. The home of Hughes Jewelry since 1952
Frederick, OK Historic BuildingsFort Sill's Leisure and Recreation
Fort Sill's Leisure and Recreation is open to active-duty, retired, and warrant officers, and most Department of the Defense civilians. Public access is limited to certain activities. Please contact the Public Affairs Office at 580-442-4500 for further information.
Hunter Park Lake
Hunter Park is a 25-acre recreational area surrounding Hunter Park Lake. The park has areas for children to play, a pavilion for families to gather for large reunions or for quiet picnics while tossing a line the lake for an afternoon of fishing.
Hobart, OK RecreationParker Ferris Wheel
Every August for over 90 years, Mountain View, Oklahoma holds its annual free fair. Dominating the skyline is a 1920's Parker ferris wheel, only 1 of 4
Mountain View, OK One Of A KindsRamona Theatre
The historic Mediterranean style theatre was once known as "The Showplace of The Southwest!" It was restored by volunteers and the Frederick Arts Council and provides a variety of cultural opportunities to the public. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Frederick, OK TheatresFirst National Bank Building
. L. Hull, long-time president of the First National Bank, was instrumental in the construction of both the old First National Bank Building in 1909-1910 and the Carnegie Library in 1911. He is seen above in the right corner of the 1910 photo of the bank'
Cordell, OK Historic BuildingsGreat Plains State Park
Great Plains State Park is located on 6400-acre Tom Steed Lake west of the Wichita Mountains in Kiowa County near the town of Mountain Park. A drive along Hwy 183 provides a scenic route that winds its way through the mountains along the lake'
, OK State ParksStephens County Historical Museum
The Stephens County Museum, located at the old National Guard Armory, was accepted into the National Registry of Historic Places in the Spring of 1997.
Visiting the museum can transport you back into a simpler time; you can literally "step" into Grandma'
Duncan, OK MuseumsJackson County Courthouse
The Jackson County Courthouse was built in 1910 of native granite. A noticeable feature of the structure is the artful contrast of the red granite foundation, and most remarkable is the size of the granite blocks which undoubtedly has given the structure its stability throughout the years.
Altus, OK Historic CourthousesPost Office Mural
Displayed on the lobby wall of the art deco post office is a WPA commissioned mural capturing a moment of the infamous Oklahoma Land Run. - Artist, Vance Kirkland, 1940
Sayre, OK Arts