On the morning of Aug. 6, 1901, Lawton was merely a tumbleweed connection on a vast Native American reservation. By evening it had blossomed into a town of 10,000, the last of the Oklahoma cities to spring up overnight. Lawton was created by a land lottery, in which successful bidders without the cash for immediate payment were allowed 30 minutes to get the money before the lot was put up for sale again.

The town celebrates all things art at the Arts for All Festival, held in early May at Shepler Park. The 2-day festival features a juried art show, children's art area, live entertainment, multicultural food vendors and a wine garden.

Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce 302 W. Gore Blvd. Lawton, OK 73501. Phone:(580)355-3541 or (800)872-4540

Central Mall, just off I-44 on C Avenue, has Dillard's and JCPenney as its anchor stores.

Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center

Fort Sill National Historic Landmark and Museum see Fort Sill.

The Historic Mattie Beal Home

Museum of the Great Plains