History of Lawton Documentary, Part 1 Just Released

It's hard to judge what may come about in the future if you don't know and understand the past. That much is true of any topic of discussion when it comes to everyday life anywhere on this planet. Just look at the covid numbers. It seems Oklahoma forgot about the huge spike we experienced going into the holiday season last year before getting a little control over it the first half of this year, and here we are again gaining big numbers. It goes to show that remembering history is crucially important to life today.

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of visiting with someone that told me about a documentary being put together about the history of Lawton, the mountains, and our native tribes that have called this place home even before Buffalo Bill Cody and Wild Bill Hickok brought the US Army into this land to establish Camp Wichita - which eventually became Fort Sill. I love documentaries about history. Whether it's about WWII, the oceans, I love history... but above all, I really love the state histories of places I've lived, Oklahoma is no different.

Now before I have a squirrel moment and hop off into a spiel about how Oklahoma is the most ecological diverse place in the world, or the other six land runs everyone forgot about, this first release of a four part documentary series is packed with things you probably didn't know. For instance, the portion about the 1852 treaty ratified by congress and the shenanigans that followed. How Mexico and the US circumvented sovereign territory prior, then talk of settlers who came into this part of the state after the fact, whether it was hidden & concealed or over-generalized from intent within the treaty. Tribal education, introduced disease, new religion... it's fascinating.

If part one of this four part series is any indicator of what's to come, count me in as one that will tune in with intent. Hollywood couldn't write a plot as good as our own history. I hope you enjoy it too.