The city's proximity to theFort Sill Military Reservation, formerly the base of theApache territory before statehood, gave Lawton economic and population stability throughout the 20th century.[11]
Although Lawton's economy is still largely dependent on Fort Sill, it has grown to encompass manufacturing, higher education, health care, and retail.[12] The city has acouncil-manager government; the city council members are elected fromsingle-member districts and the mayor is electedat-large. They hire a professional city manager to direct daily operations.
The territory of present-day Oklahoma was long settled by ancient cultures of prehistoric American Indians, including theClovis, 11500BCE;Folsom, 10600 BCE; andPlainview, 10000 BCE cultures.
The valleys of theArkansas River andRed River were the center ofCaddoan Mississippian culture, which began to develop about 800 CE. The people developed more dense settlement and a complex architecture of earthwork platform mounds. Archeological evidence has shown that these people were the direct ancestors of the historic Caddoan-language peoples who inhabited the larger region, including theCaddo and theWichita peoples.
In the 16th century, Spanish explorerFrancisco Vásquez de Coronado visited in 1541, beginning European contact. Around the 1700s, two tribes from the north, the Comanche and Kiowa, migrated to the Oklahoma and Texas regions.[13]
For most of the 18th century, the French exerted nominal control over the Oklahoma region as part ofFrench Louisiana. The largest French settlements were along the Gulf Coast, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama. The limited interaction between the Native American and European peoples was based onfur trading.
In 1803, the French sold this territory asLouisiana Purchase to the US, under PresidentThomas Jefferson. European Americans continued to migrate into the Southeast and across theMississippi River into Indian territories, especially seeking territory to expand cotton cultivation, which was a lucrative commodity crop. They pressured the government to give them access to Indian lands. In 1830, under PresidentAndrew Jackson, Congress passed theIndian Removal Act, which removed American Indian tribes from the Southeast and relocated them toIndian Territory west of theMississippi River.
The southern part of this territory was originally assigned to theChoctaw andChickasaw. Following the Civil War, during which most of the Southeast tribes had allied with the Confederacy, in 1867, the United States required new treaties of peace. In 1867, under theMedicine Lodge Treaty, it allotted the southwest portion of former Choctaw and Chickasaw lands to the Comanche, Kiowa, and Apache tribes. It had forced them to move out of East Texas and nearby areas of Arkansas.[13][14]
Fort Sill was established in 1869 after the American Civil War and commanded by Major GeneralPhilip Sheridan. He was leading a campaign in Indian Territory to stop raids into Texas by American Indian tribes.[15] In 1874, theRed River War broke out in the region when the Comanche, Kiowa, and Southern Cheyenne left their Indian Territory reservation. Attrition and skirmishes by the US Army finally forced the return of the tribes to Indian Territory in June 1875.[15]
In 1891, the United States Congress appointed a commission to meet with the tribal leaders and come to an agreement allowing White settlement. Years of controversy and legal maneuvering ensued before PresidentWilliam McKinley issued a proclamation on 4 July 1901, that gave the federal government control over 2,000,000 acres (8,100 km2) of "surplus" Indian lands that remained after allotments of communal tribal lands to individual households under the Dawes Act.[16][17] Under other legislation, the United States through the Dawes Commission allotted communal lands as plots to individual households of tribal members, selling off what remained as "surplus". These actions extinguished the tribal claims to communal lands, a condition needed for the admission of Oklahoma as a state in 1907.
Major General Henry Ware Lawton
After these changes, the legislature of the new state began to organize counties. Three 320-acre sites inKiowa,Caddo andComanche counties were selected for county seats. Lawton was designated as the Comanche County seat. The town was named for Major GeneralHenry W. Lawton, a quartermaster at Fort Sill, who had taken part in the pursuit and capture of Apache chiefGeronimo.[18]
The city was opened to settlement through an auction of town lots beginning on 6 August 1901, which was completed 60 days later.[19] By 25 September 1901, theRock Island Railroad expanded to Lawton and was soon joined by theFrisco Line.[20] The first city elections were held 24 October 1901.[21]
The United States' entry intoWorld War I accelerated development at Fort Sill and Lawton. The availability of 5 million US gallons (19,000 m3) of water fromLake Lawtonka, just north of Fort Sill, was a catalyst for the War Department to establish a major cantonment namedCamp Doniphan. It was active until 1922.[22]
Similarly, the US response in World War II stimulated activity and expansion at Fort Sill and Lawton. The city's population increased from 18,055 to 34,757 from 1940 to 1950.[23] By the 1960s, it had reached 61,697.[23]
Lawton in 1933
In the postwar period, Lawton underwent tremendous growth during the late 1940s and 1950s, leading city officials to seek additional water sources to supplement existing water from Lake Lawtonka. In the late 1950s, the city purchased large parcels of land along East Cache Creek in northern Comanche County for the construction of a dam and human-made lake, built in 1959 on the creek just north of U.S. 277 west of Elgin.Lake Ellsworth, named for a former Lawton mayor, soft-drink bottler C.R. Ellsworth, was dedicated in the early 1960s. It offered additional water resources, but also recreational opportunities and flood control along Cache Creek.[24]
In 1966, the Lawton City Council annexed several square miles of land on the city's east, northeast, west, and northwest borders, expanding east beyond the East Cache Creek area and west to 82nd Street.[25][26] On 1 March 1964, the north section of theH. E. Bailey Turnpike was completed, connecting Lawton directly to Oklahoma City, the capital. The south section of the turnpike leading to the Texas border was completed on April 23, 1964.[27]
Urban-renewal efforts in the 1970s transformed downtown Lawton. A number of buildings dating to the city's founding were demolished to build anenclosed shopping mall, which was believed to provide a suburban attraction for shoppers.[8]
On June 23, 1998, the city expanded when Lawton annexed neighboring Fort Sill.[28] TheBase Realignment and Closure of 2005 resulted in reassignment of people from other bases and consolidation of some military activities at Fort Sill, increasing the number of people assigned there and its scope of activities. Lawton expects a continuing benefit of population and economic growth over the course of the next 20 years.[29]
Lawton is the fifth-largest city in Oklahoma. The city has a total area of 75.1 sq mi (195 km2), all land.[30] Lawton is located about 84 mi (135 km) southwest of Oklahoma City. Other surrounding cities includeWichita Falls about 47 mi (76 km) to the south,Duncan about 33 mi (53 km) to the east, andAltus about 56 mi (90 km) to the west.[31]
Lawton lies in an area typical of theGreat Plains, with prairie, few trees, and flat topography with gently rolling hills.[32] The region north of the city consists of theWichita Mountains, includingMount Scott andMount Pinchot, the area's highest peaks.[33] The area consists mostly ofPermianlimestone on the northern sections of the city.[34]
In the south sections of the city, PermianGarber Sandstone is commonly found with some Hennessey Groupshale. Area creeks including East Cache Creek contain deposits ofQuaternaryalluvium. To the northwest, the Wichita Mountains consist primarily of Wichita Granite Group from theCambrian period.[34]
Lawton lies in a relatively dryhumid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classificationCfa), with frequent variations in weather daily, except during the constantly hot and dry summer. Frequent strong winds, usually from the south or south-southeast during the summer, help to lessen the hotter weather. Northerly winds during the winter can occasionally intensify cold periods.[32]
The average mean temperature for southwest Oklahoma is 62.6 °F (17.0 °C). The summers can be mildly hot; Lawton averages 21 days with temperatures 100 °F (37.8 °C) and above.[35] The winters are typically mild, though periods of extreme cold can occur. Lawton averages eight days that fail to rise above freezing.[35] The city receives about 31.6 inches (800 mm) of precipitation[35] and less than 3 in (10 cm) of snow annually.[32]
Lawton is located squarely in the area known asTornado Alley and is prone tosevere weather from late April through early June.[36] Most notably, anF4 tornado in 1957, and anF3 tornado in 1979 struck the southern region of the city.[37]
Climate data for Lawton (1991–2020 normals,[a] extremes 1912–present[b])
Lawton, Oklahoma – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
As of the census of 2010, 96,867 people, 34,901 households, and 22,508 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,195.4 inhabitants per square mile (461.5/km2). The 39,409 housing units averaged 486.3 per square mile (187.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 60.3% White, 21.4% African American, 4.7% Native American, 2.6% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 3.4% from other races, and 4.9% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 12.6% (7.8% Mexican, 2.8% Puerto Rican, 0.3% Panamanian).[47]
Of the 34,901 households, 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were not families. Of all households, 29.4% were made up of individuals, and 2.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the city, the population was distributed as 24.9% under the age of 18, 15.3% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $41,566, and for a family was $50,507. Males had a median income of $36,440 versus $31,825 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $20,655. About 16.6% of families and 19.0% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 33.5% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.
Lawton is primarily centered on government, manufacturing, and retail trade industries. The Lawton MSA ranks fourth in Oklahoma with agross domestic product of $4.2 billion produced in 2008, with a majority ($2.1 billion) in the government sector, primarily associated with the military.[12]
Fort Sill is the largest employer in Lawton, with more than 5,000 full-time employees. In the private sector, the largest employer isGoodyear Tire and Rubber Company with 2,400 full-time employees. Some major employers in the Lawton area also include:Lawton Public Schools, Comanche County Memorial Hospital, Southwestern Hospital, City of Lawton,Cameron University, and Bar S Foods.
In 2010, the city of Lawton was engaged in the Downtown Revitalization Project. Its goal is to redesign the areas between Elmer Thomas Park at the north through Central Mall to the south to be more visually appealing and pedestrian-friendly to encourage business growth in the area.[49][50]
Lawton had 35,374 employed civilians as of the 2010 Census, and 49.1% were female. Of the civilian workers, 21,842 (61.7%) were private for-profit wage and salary workers. Of the for-profit wage and salary workers, 659 (1.9% of the total Lawton civilian workforce) were employees of their own corporations. The nonprofit sector had 2,571 (7.3%) private nonprofit wage and salary workers. The government sector included 4,713 (13.3%) federal workers, 2,545 (7.2%) state government workers, and 2,160 (6.1%) local government workers. In addition, the city had 1,634 (4.6%) self-employed workers and unpaid family workers.[51]
In May, Lawton Arts for All, Inc hosts the Arts for All Festival. The festival includes several judged art competitions, as well as live entertainment. The festival is typically held at Shepler Park.[52] In late September, The International Festival is held in the city. Founded in 1979, the event showcases the many different cultures, arts, and music of the community.[53][54]
Lawton has three public museums. TheMuseum of the Great Plains is dedicated to natural history and early settlement of the Great Plains, particularly by European Americans.[55] Outdoor exhibits include a replica of the Red River Trading Post, the original Blue Beaver schoolhouse, and Elgin Train Depot with a Frisco locomotive.[56]
Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center in Lawton, 3-2025
The Fort Sill Museum, located on the military base of the same name, includes the old Fort Sill corral and several period buildings, including the old post guardhouse, chapel, and barracks. It also features several artillery pieces.[57] The old fort is designated as aNational Historic Landmark.[58]
Lawton operates 80 parks and recreation areas in varying sizes, including the largest - Elmer Thomas Park.[63]
The Lawton branch of theYMCA offers a wide variety of recreational programs to members, and the Lawton Country Club maintains an 18-hole, par 71 golf course.[64][65] Recreation can also be found in many amateur leagues, including adult softball, youth baseball, soccer, softball, and volleyball.[66]
Lawton uses thecouncil–manager model of municipal government. The city's primary authority resides in the city council, which approves ordinances, resolutions, and contracts. The city is divided into eightwards, orsingle-member districts. Each ward elects a single city council representative for a three-year term.[67] The mayor, who is electedat-large every three years, presides and sets the agenda of the City Council, but is primarily ceremonial as a head of government.[76] The administrative day-to-day operation of the city is headed by theCity Manager, who is appointed by the City Council.[77] As of January 2024, the mayor of Lawton was Stan Booker.[1] As of June 2025, the city manager was John Ratliff.[67][78]
Lawton is the county seat of Comanche County and houses county offices and courts. Three elected commissioners serving four-year terms manage the county government.[79]
Cameron University is the largest four-year, state-funded university in southwest Oklahoma, offering more than 50 degree programs in areas of business, education, liberal arts, and science and technology.[86] Founded in 1909, Cameron has an average fall enrollment of 6,000 students, with 70 endowed faculty positions.[87] Other colleges in Lawton includeComanche Nation College. Founded in 2004, the college provides lower-division programs and educational opportunities in higher education for the Comanche Nation and the public.[88][89]
Lawton Public Schools serve most of the city of Lawton.[91] The district operates two prekindergarten centers, 24 elementary schools, four middle schools, and three high schools –Eisenhower,Lawton, andMacArthur.[92] In 2008, Lawton Public Schools had an enrollment of about 16,000 students with about 1,000 teachers.[93] Two independent districts,Bishop andFlower Mound, serve portions of Lawton.[91] Bishop operates a single pre-K–6 elementary campus and Flower Mound has a pre-K–5 campus. Secondary students living in these districts attend Lawton Public Schools.[94]
Other schools in Lawton include Trinity Christian Academy, Lawton Academy of Arts & Science, and Lawton Christian School. Trinity Christian Academy offers classes from K–3 through the eighth grade.[96] Lawton Academy of Arts and Sciences and Lawton Christian has the city's only two private independent high schools. Lawton Christian, founded in 1976, offers education from prekindergarten through the 12th grade, and has a student body of 426 students.[97] Another private school - St. Mary's Catholic School - closed in 2020 after more than 100 years of operation.[98]
TheLawton Constitution, the only daily newspaper published in Lawton, has a circulation of 30,000. In addition, the Fort Sill newspaper,The Cannoneer, is published weekly primarily for military personnel;The Cameron Collegian has as its main audience Cameron University students.[99] Additionally,Okie Magazine is a monthly magazine that focuses on news and entertainment in the Southwest Oklahoma area.[100]
Lawton is part of a bistate media market that also includes the nearby, larger city of Wichita Falls, Texas; the market, which encompasses six counties in southwestern Oklahoma and 10 counties in westernNorth Texas, has 152,950 households with at least one television set, making it the 148th-largest in the nation as of the 2016–2017 season, according toNielsen Media Research.[101]KSWO-TV (channel 7), anABC affiliate (which also carries affiliations withMeTV andTelemundo ondigital subchannels), is the only broadcast television station in the market that is licensed to Lawton, and its local news programming maintains a primary focus on southwestern Oklahoma in its coverage.[102] All other major stations in the area, includingKFDX-TV (channel 3;NBC, withThe CW on its third digital subchannel),KAUZ-TV (channel 6;CBS, which is a sister station to KSWO through ashared services agreement but maintains separate operations on the Texas side of the market), andKJTL (channel 18;Fox), are based in Wichita Falls.
Lawton is primarily served byInterstate 44, designated as theH. E. Bailey Turnpike. It connects the city to Oklahoma City to the northeast and to Wichita Falls, Texas, to the south. The city is also connected byUS Highway 62, which connects to the regional towns ofAltus to the west andAnadarko to the north. Other major thoroughfares includeUS Highway 277 and281, which parallels the H. E. Bailey Turnpike to Wichita Falls to the south and leads to regional towns of Anadarko andChickasha, respectively, to the north, andOK-7, which connects Lawton to Duncan.[103]
While the days of theLawton Railway trolley are far behind it,[104] Lawton is currently served by theLawton Area Transit System ("LATS") which provides public transit for both Lawton and Fort Sill. Founded in 2002, LATS had a ridership of 427,088 in 2009,[105] and provides five major routes throughout the city.[106]
Lawton has three major hospitals in the area. The largest, Comanche County Memorial Hospital, is a 283-bed nonprofit hospital that employs 250 physicians.[111] Southwestern Medical Center is a 199-bed hospital with a staff of 150 physicians.[112] In addition, theIndian Health Service Lawton Indian Hospital is located in the city to provide health services for the largeAmerican Indian population. It has 26 beds with a staff of 23 physicians.[113]
Gregory A. Miller, an attorney and politician born at Fort Sill in 1962, where his father, Ralph R. Miller, was stationed. Ralph Miller was a state representative from St. Charles Parish from 1968 to 1980 and 1982 to 1992.[127]
Julian Niemczyk US Ambassador to Czechoslovakia (born on Fort Sill)
Heck Thomas, law enforcement officer who in 1896 captured the outlawBill Doolin, the founder of theWild Bunch gang, spent his later years as the first elected police chief in Lawton.
^Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the highest and lowest temperature readings during an entire month or year) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.
^Records for Lawton have been kept at theLawton–Fort Sill Regional Airport since April 1998 and at downtown from July 1912 to March 1998. For more information, seeThreadEx
^Snowfall data are measured at the weather station in downtown
^ab"Oklahoma Almanac 2005"(PDF). Oklahoma History. Oklahoma Department of Libraries. pp. 687–691. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved25 April 2011.
^"Lawton, Oklahoma". Class of Worker by Sex and Median Earnings in the Past 12 Months (In 2010 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) for the Civilian Employed Population 16 Years and Over. US Census Bureau. 2010. S2408. Archived fromthe original on 12 February 2020. Retrieved24 October 2011.
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