Finances 
Lawton-Fort Sill combines the conveniences of a large city with the advantages of living in a small town, which provides an excellent quality of life. Lawton’s residents are friendly and helpful and the crime rate is low; advantages often found in a small town. Lawton is an educational, cultural and medical hub of southwest Oklahoma.
Lawton
Lawton’s rich history began on August 6, 1901, when the Kiowa-Comanche reservation was opened for settlement. A lottery was used to distribute the land. A person wanting a claim – which was 160 acres in the new section – had to register for a drawing. The town site was selected by federal authorities and located on a section of prairie south of the U.S. Army Installation Fort Sill, which had been in existence since the 1860s. General Henry W. Lawton is the town’s namesake.
Experience the history of the Lawton - Fort Sill community by visiting the Red River Trading Post, located at the Museum of the Great Plains, during their Spring and Fall Encampments. You will feel as though you have traveled back in time to the 1880s as you walk through this elaborate and detailed exhibit of the way life used to be. You might also want to visit the Mattie Beal Home, a 14-room Greek Revival-style mansion built in 1908, located at the corner of Summit and 5th Street; and the Little Chapel of Lawton, a Gothic Revival-style church built in 1902 and Lawton’s oldest remaining building, located at the corner of 7th Street and D Avenue.
Today, Lawton has grown to be the third-largest metropolitan statistical area in the state. Lawton serves as a prominent shopping, medical, recreational, educational and religious center for the region. It is the retail and distribution center for the area’s cattle, dairy and agricultural industries. In addition, Lawton-Fort Sill is the home of manufacturing and processing companies, and is continually working toward the expansion of existing industries and acquisition of new ones.
Fort Sill
Located just north of the city of Lawton, Fort Sill is composed of about 94,000 acres or 145 square miles of mountains, rolling hills and prairie. Fort Sill’s total economic impact is $1.3 billion annually. It is home to a military population of about 16,000; the civilian workforce totals about 6,000. Approximately 26,000 family members live on post or in the surrounding communities. Within 100 miles of Fort Sill there are approximately10,000 military retirees.
Fort Sill has been designated as the United States Army Fires Center of Excellence and, as such, is home to the Field Artillery School, Army Training Center, Noncommissioned Officers Academy, two Army Fires Brigades and many tenant activities. As the Fires Center of Excellence Fort Sill is also preparing to accept components of the Air Defense Artillery for Fort Bliss as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process of 2005. From now until 2011 the post will absorb those activities associated with the ADA, to include the ADA School, support elements and museum assets.
Fort Sill’s mission is to sustain current and future force readiness by training Field Artillery Soldiers and Marines as an essential element of the joint and combined arms team. This is accomplished by developing cutting-edge fire support doctrine, training methods and equipment, and by sustaining the readiness and power projection capabilities of tenant and mobilizing forces. This is accomplished through the efforts of the leaders in the Field Artillery Training Center, the Field Artillery School, the Non-commissioned Officers Academy, and the Garrison Staff.
Fort Sill’s two Fire Brigades are part of the United States Army Forces Command and continue their mission of maintaining readiness to fight our nation’s wars. The 75th Fires Brigade and the 214th Fires Brigades are organized into eight battalions and other smaller elements. They have deployed many of their soldiers in support of the Global War on Terrorism and many remain deployed today. Another war fighting unit, the 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade, is projected to move to Fort Sill from Fort Bliss in FY 2008 with a brigade headquarters and an ADA battalion. A second battalion is expected to arrive the following year.
Also of great concern to the leaders of Fort Sill is maintaining an excellent community quality of life. Among its many facilities, Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area (LETRA) is the crown jewel and is open to the general public. LETRA is Fort Sill’s premier lakeside recreation area nestled in the picturesque Wichita Mountains of southwestern Oklahoma. Some of the area attractions include a beach, snack bar, double-flume waterslide and picnic areas.
The post also boasts a bowling alley, commissary, post exchange facilities, youth center, club system, as well as many other activities that make Fort Sill a great place to live and work.
Altogether these changes are expected to increase Fort Sill’s military population by almost 3,000 soldiers. Adding to them are the expected increases in military students, family members and civilian employees. Fort Sill stands to see an increase of about 10,000 people between 2005 and 2011.
Culture
Lawton-Fort Sill is nationally recognized as one of the most culturally diversified communities in the United States. The community is the home of several museums and countless cultural, arts and humanities activities and organizations. Museums include the Fort Sill Museum, the Museum of the Great Plains. Art displays can be viewed at Cameron University, the Leslie Powell Gallery, McMahon Auditorium, Town Hall, and at Southwestern Medical Center. Lawton is home to many other culturally oriented organizations including Lawton Community Theatre, Southwest Oklahoma Dance Alliance, Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra, and Lawton City Ballet. Major events each year celebrate the cultural diversity in Lawton-Fort Sill. May features the Arts For All Festival with art displays by local and regional artists, a hands-on art area for children, and live entertainers. September brings the International Festival, a multi-cultural celebration with two non-stop performance stages, more than 20 ethnic food vendors, and fine art and craft booths showcasing ethnic wares. A Cultural Directory is available from the Cultural Coalition, 580.581.3470.
Lawton-Fort Sill also offers a variety of recreational activities, including bowling, miniature golf, skating, an in line hockey park, skate park, a waterpark and swimming. There are also several golf courses, outdoor exercise facilities, a softball and baseball complex, public tennis courts and numerous neighborhood parks including Kid Zone.
Clubs and Organization
The Lawton-Fort Sill community boasts numerous civic clubs and organizations to fulfill any personal or professional interest. A list of clubs and organizations is available at the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce, 629 SW C Avenue. Whether you’re a retired individual wanting to volunteer, or a parent looking for an activity for your children to get involved in – whether it’s a religious group or an arts and crafts association – there’s something for everyone in the community!
Cost of Living
Lawton-Fort Sill has a lower than average cost of living when compared to other major cities. Housing is plentiful and affordable. Whether you want to rent an apartment in one of our many complexes or buy a five-bedroom home – whether you want to live in town or out in the country – you’ll find it in Lawton!
Lawton
Lawton’s rich history began on August 6, 1901, when the Kiowa-Comanche reservation was opened for settlement. A lottery was used to distribute the land. A person wanting a claim – which was 160 acres in the new section – had to register for a drawing. The town site was selected by federal authorities and located on a section of prairie south of the U.S. Army Installation Fort Sill, which had been in existence since the 1860s. General Henry W. Lawton is the town’s namesake.Experience the history of the Lawton - Fort Sill community by visiting the Red River Trading Post, located at the Museum of the Great Plains, during their Spring and Fall Encampments. You will feel as though you have traveled back in time to the 1880s as you walk through this elaborate and detailed exhibit of the way life used to be. You might also want to visit the Mattie Beal Home, a 14-room Greek Revival-style mansion built in 1908, located at the corner of Summit and 5th Street; and the Little Chapel of Lawton, a Gothic Revival-style church built in 1902 and Lawton’s oldest remaining building, located at the corner of 7th Street and D Avenue.
Today, Lawton has grown to be the third-largest metropolitan statistical area in the state. Lawton serves as a prominent shopping, medical, recreational, educational and religious center for the region. It is the retail and distribution center for the area’s cattle, dairy and agricultural industries. In addition, Lawton-Fort Sill is the home of manufacturing and processing companies, and is continually working toward the expansion of existing industries and acquisition of new ones.
Fort Sill
Located just north of the city of Lawton, Fort Sill is composed of about 94,000 acres or 145 square miles of mountains, rolling hills and prairie. Fort Sill’s total economic impact is $1.3 billion annually. It is home to a military population of about 16,000; the civilian workforce totals about 6,000. Approximately 26,000 family members live on post or in the surrounding communities. Within 100 miles of Fort Sill there are approximately10,000 military retirees.
Fort Sill has been designated as the United States Army Fires Center of Excellence and, as such, is home to the Field Artillery School, Army Training Center, Noncommissioned Officers Academy, two Army Fires Brigades and many tenant activities. As the Fires Center of Excellence Fort Sill is also preparing to accept components of the Air Defense Artillery for Fort Bliss as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process of 2005. From now until 2011 the post will absorb those activities associated with the ADA, to include the ADA School, support elements and museum assets.
Fort Sill’s mission is to sustain current and future force readiness by training Field Artillery Soldiers and Marines as an essential element of the joint and combined arms team. This is accomplished by developing cutting-edge fire support doctrine, training methods and equipment, and by sustaining the readiness and power projection capabilities of tenant and mobilizing forces. This is accomplished through the efforts of the leaders in the Field Artillery Training Center, the Field Artillery School, the Non-commissioned Officers Academy, and the Garrison Staff.
Fort Sill’s two Fire Brigades are part of the United States Army Forces Command and continue their mission of maintaining readiness to fight our nation’s wars. The 75th Fires Brigade and the 214th Fires Brigades are organized into eight battalions and other smaller elements. They have deployed many of their soldiers in support of the Global War on Terrorism and many remain deployed today. Another war fighting unit, the 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade, is projected to move to Fort Sill from Fort Bliss in FY 2008 with a brigade headquarters and an ADA battalion. A second battalion is expected to arrive the following year.
Also of great concern to the leaders of Fort Sill is maintaining an excellent community quality of life. Among its many facilities, Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area (LETRA) is the crown jewel and is open to the general public. LETRA is Fort Sill’s premier lakeside recreation area nestled in the picturesque Wichita Mountains of southwestern Oklahoma. Some of the area attractions include a beach, snack bar, double-flume waterslide and picnic areas.
The post also boasts a bowling alley, commissary, post exchange facilities, youth center, club system, as well as many other activities that make Fort Sill a great place to live and work.
Altogether these changes are expected to increase Fort Sill’s military population by almost 3,000 soldiers. Adding to them are the expected increases in military students, family members and civilian employees. Fort Sill stands to see an increase of about 10,000 people between 2005 and 2011.
Culture
Lawton-Fort Sill is nationally recognized as one of the most culturally diversified communities in the United States. The community is the home of several museums and countless cultural, arts and humanities activities and organizations. Museums include the Fort Sill Museum, the Museum of the Great Plains. Art displays can be viewed at Cameron University, the Leslie Powell Gallery, McMahon Auditorium, Town Hall, and at Southwestern Medical Center. Lawton is home to many other culturally oriented organizations including Lawton Community Theatre, Southwest Oklahoma Dance Alliance, Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra, and Lawton City Ballet. Major events each year celebrate the cultural diversity in Lawton-Fort Sill. May features the Arts For All Festival with art displays by local and regional artists, a hands-on art area for children, and live entertainers. September brings the International Festival, a multi-cultural celebration with two non-stop performance stages, more than 20 ethnic food vendors, and fine art and craft booths showcasing ethnic wares. A Cultural Directory is available from the Cultural Coalition, 580.581.3470.
Lawton-Fort Sill also offers a variety of recreational activities, including bowling, miniature golf, skating, an in line hockey park, skate park, a waterpark and swimming. There are also several golf courses, outdoor exercise facilities, a softball and baseball complex, public tennis courts and numerous neighborhood parks including Kid Zone.
Clubs and Organization
The Lawton-Fort Sill community boasts numerous civic clubs and organizations to fulfill any personal or professional interest. A list of clubs and organizations is available at the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce, 629 SW C Avenue. Whether you’re a retired individual wanting to volunteer, or a parent looking for an activity for your children to get involved in – whether it’s a religious group or an arts and crafts association – there’s something for everyone in the community!
Cost of Living
Lawton-Fort Sill has a lower than average cost of living when compared to other major cities. Housing is plentiful and affordable. Whether you want to rent an apartment in one of our many complexes or buy a five-bedroom home – whether you want to live in town or out in the country – you’ll find it in Lawton!