Lawton

Lawton is a city in southwestern Oklahoma, United States. It is the county seat of Comanche County and the principal city of the Lawton–Fort Sill metropolitan area. Located near the Wichita Mountains and about 85 miles southwest of Oklahoma City, Lawton had a population of around 90,000 as of the 2020 census.

Lawton's origins are tied to Fort Sill, an Army post established in 1869. The city began to grow in the early 20th century after the region opened to settlement during the land runs of 1901 and 1902, and it was named in honor of General Henry Ware Lawton, a U.S. Army officer who died in 1899.

Economy in Lawton centers on Fort Sill and related defense activities, supplemented by government services, healthcare, education, and regional commerce. Fort Sill is home to the U.S. Army Field Artillery School and other military facilities. The city hosts Cameron University, a public institution, and several regional colleges alongside healthcare systems such as Comanche County Memorial Hospital.

Geographically, Lawton sits near the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, offering outdoor recreation and tourism. The city also serves as a gateway to nearby Medicine Park and other historic western Oklahoma communities.

Transportation in Lawton includes the Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport, U.S. highways and Interstate 44, and local public transit serving the surrounding area.