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| Headed in to learn some Comanche History. |
The carful of kids are just starting our trek to
Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada, and we want to learn more about the Parker family folklore so we are in
Lawton, Oklahoma, to visit some important sites to the Comanche Indians. I am part of the large Parker family that has been in Texas since the 1830s so I want to share the legendary tale of Quanah Parker and his mother, Cynthia Ann Parker, with my kids.
The carful of kids are up early and ready to explore. First stop is the
Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center (701 NW Ferris Avenue), it's open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed on Sunday and it's free to enter.
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| Learning about the Comanche Indians at the Comanche National Museum |
The Comanche Museum focuses on the history of the Comanche people from the beginning until today. The military contribution of the 17 Comanche men that helped to defeat Hitler during D-Day as code-talkers is an important of the museum as well.
The carful of kids continue the history lesson and head over to
the
Fort Sill Army Base to visit the
Fort Sill Post Cemetery, not be confused with the Fort Sill National Cemetery. This is the final resting place of Quanah Parker, his mother Cynthia Ann Parker and his little sister, Prairie Flower on the high point of the cemetery,
Chiefs Knoll.
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| In between the graves of Quanah Parker and Cynthia Ann Parker |
The tale of the Parker's becomes notable when a nine-year old Cynthia Ann Parker is abducted from Fort Parker in 1836. She eventually assimilates into the Comanche Tribe and marries the Comanche Chief Peter Nocona.
They had a son, Quanah Parker, the last Comanche Chief. As Texas and Oklahoma settlers encroached on the traditional lands of the Comanche people, the Indian Wars broke out. After a bitter battle in Palo Duro Canyon in Texas, Chief Quanah Parker would eventually move his people onto a reservation in Oklahoma.
The Fort Sill National Historic Landmark and Museum features the original frontier fort along with 34 historic buildings. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free to enter.
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| These are Howitzers and the boys really liked them. |
The
U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum and Park are next on the list to visit because I have two boys. The park is filled with Howitzers (a wheeled artillery gun) from around the world and is a great stop for the kids that love guns.
The carful of kids have their fill of guns and Comanche history so we need to get on the road again to get to our next destination. Remember we are trying
to get to Canada and back in three weeks.
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| Another fun roadside attraction. |
Our next stop is Dodge City, Kansas. I am a child of the eighties so I have wanted to visit Dodge City since I saw
National Lampoon's Vacation with Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo as a kid.
The Boot Hill Museum (500 W. Watt Earp Blvd, open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., shoot-out at noon and 7 p.m.) is open from the end of May until the middle of August and weekends only until Labor Day. This is where the old west comes alive for the carful of kids.
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| Should I leave them locked up for the night? |
I purchase the Family Pass that includes admission for two adults and a carful of kids ages 17 and under for $ 35.00. This includes admission to the museum, an introductory video and includes the shoot-out. There is a variety show and a country-style dinner for an additional cost.
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| I think the Carful of Kids will continue our road trip in the SUV. |
The museum contains more than 60,000 items that date back to the 1870s collected from Dodge City residents over the years. It is all displayed in old buildings you can walk through to get a true sense of the history; the carful of kids jump into the stagecoach for the frontier road trip experience.
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| Why yes, the lady is still standing. |
The real draw for the carful of kids is the shoot-out at noon and 7 p.m. I have to admit that my expectations were a little low for this but it is entertaining and the carful of kids feel like we are in the middle of a Dodge City gun fight from the 1870s, when the cowboys came to town looking for some fun.
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| Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Engine |
After a great gun battle the kids settle in for breakfast for dinner, a road trip tradition, before we drive the final leg to spend the night in Garden City, Kansas.
Know before you go: To gain access to Fort Sill, you will have to get a pass for the day at the Fort Sill Visitor Control Center at T6701 Sheridan Road. All adults in the car will be subject to a Department of Defense background check. This is free and took 15 minutes to complete the process.
Up Next: Scotts Bluff National Monument and South Dakota.
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