Post Guardhouse - Fort Sill Oklahoma
N 34° 40.147 W 098° 23.285
14S E 556062 N 3836520
This former prison is located on Fort Sill, an active Army Base near Lawton, Oklahoma.
Waymark Code: WM7PQK
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 11/19/2009
Views: 6
Text from the Marker:
Post Guardhouse
This building was constructed in 1872-73 by the "Buffalo Soldiers" of the 10th Calvary Regiment, after the barracks and quarters of the Post were completed. Prior to this time, prisoners were kept in the basement of the Calvary barracks immediately north. Some Indian prisoners were also temporarily confined within the walls of the large ice house northeast of the quadrangle.
Soldiers who violated military rules were confined here as well as were hostile Indian leaders and civilian outlaws from Texas, Kansas and Arkansas seeking asylum in Indian Territory. U.S. Marshals with jurisdiction over the Territory frequently deposited and retrieved prisoners from the guardhouse to be tried in federal court elsewhere.
During more peaceful times, stray dogs were rounded up and brought to the Guardhouse to await their fate. " Good " dogs, otherwise interpreted as hunting dogs, were adopted out to eager recipients. Other dogs that were not considered good hunters were permanently disposed of.
From the mundane to more significant events the guardhouse remained a focus of activity until a new confinement facility was constructed farther west in 1910.
Address:
Randolph Road
Lawton, OK USA
73503
Open to the public: Yes
Hours:
Anytime
Fees?:
No fees open to the public.
Web link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
In order to add a new log to the waymark of this category, simply take another photo of the prison from a different angle than the other posts. Also add to the history of the jail when possible.