ACT - Fort Sill, OK

The site of Ft. Sill was established on January 8, 1869 by Major General Philip H. Sheridan, who led a Campaign into Indian Territory to stop hostile tribes from raiding border settlements in Texas and Kansas.

Originally established as Camp Wichita and referred to by the Indians as “the Soldier House at Medicine Bluffs.” Major General Philip later named the site in honor of his West Point classmate and friend, Brigadier General Joshua W. Sill, who was killed during the Civil War.

Until the territory opened for settlement, Fort Sill’s mission was one of law enforcement, and soldiers protected the Indians from outlaws, squatters and cattle rustlers.

In 1894 Geronimo and 341 other Apache prisoners of war were brought to Fort Sill where they lived in villages on the range. Until 1913, the Apaches remained on Fort Sill and were taught by Lt Hugh L. Scott to build houses, raise crops and herd cattle. Lt. Scott also commanded troop L of the 7^th Cavalry, a unit comprised entirely of Indians and considered one of the best in the west.

In 1901, Oklahoma opened for settlement and 29,000 homesteaders registered at Fort Sill during July for the land lottery.

With the disappearance of the frontier, the mission of Fort Sill gradually changed from cavalry to field artillery. The first artillery battery arrived at Fort Sill in 1902 and the last cavalry regiment departed in May 1907.

The School of Fire for the Field Artillery was founded at Fort Sill in 1911 and continues to operate today as the world-renowned U.S. Army Field Artillery School. At various times, Fort Sill has also served as home to the Infantry school of Musketry, the School for Aerial Observers, the Air Service Flying School, and the Army Aviation School.

Today as the U.S. Army Field Artillery Center, Fort Sill remains the only active Army installation of all the forts on the South Plains built during the Indian wars. It serves as a national historic landmark and home of the Field Artillery for the free world.

This page is under construction.

Last update: 28 October 2002