Comanche Carnival - Comanche, OK - Oklahoma Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

On the north edge of town, along Highway 81, Comanche has erected a Centennial Plaza. It commemorates the 100th anniversary of Oklahoma Statehood, and also highlights several local historic events. One of these is the Indian Territory Comanche Carnival, which was celebrated here from 1903 to the 1930s. The two marble plaques read:

Historic Indian Territory Comanche Carnival Southeast of this site along Cow Creek, the Comanche Carnival, one of the largest annual events in Indian Territory and later early Oklahoma, began in 1903 and continued into the 1930s. The three day event drew an estimated fifteen to twenty-five thousand people per day. The Rock Island Railroad provided excursion trains from Enid, Oklahoma and Fort Worth, Texas. The carnival featured exhibits, rodeos, food, games, baseball, rides, horse racing and battle re-enactments. Notable wild west performers attended and often took part. Visitors were introduced to the first airplane to fly in the area, hot air balloons and the Model T Ford. Indians from various tribes came for horse racing, dances in full regalia, and mock battles, camping on the hill just east of the park area. Members of the Comanche tribe developed a proud relationship with the town which bears its name. Cowboy fetes featured bull dogging and roping. That legacy lives on today. Comanche is a self-proclaimed "Cowboy Capital" and home to barrel racing, roping and bull riding world champions. Comanche's heritage is treasured and preserved throughout the community and schools.

County: Stephens County Record Address:: Highway 81, north edge of Comanche, OK US 73529 Rate the Site: Date Erected: 2007 Sponsor (Who put it there): City of Comanche Web site if available: Not listed

Recent Visits/Logs:

There are no logs for this waymark yet.