Fort Richardson was active from 1867 - 1878, focusing on protecting the settlers coming into the area from the Indians. "There were three major Indian campaigns and hundreds of scouts and patrols were launched, resulting in three troopers and an estimated 150 hostiles being killed in action."
There are five structures still standing from the original fort and another two or three recreated structures. Below is the officer's barracks and the commanding officer's home in the background.
Below is the enlisted men's barracks with double bunk beds, designed for 2 soldiers on top and bottom bunks.
Here's a photo of the hospital, the largest building in the fort.
Below is brace for a broken collar bone. They found it didn't work at all. Imagine that?
The most interesting thing about the hospital was the indoor latrine.
It has wooden drawers of sand under the holes.... when the job was done, there another bucket of "clean" sand that you take a couple scoops and put over your business. Then they would put a chunk of charcoal in the drawer to take away some of the smell. I have been to a lot of museums in this country and this is the first latrine of this sort I ever have seen.
As I was entering the fort grounds I say some deer and I caught them on the way out. The prickly pear cactus are blooming too.
Jacksboro also on the Butterfield Overland Stage route from St. Louis to California. It was in operation from 1857 - 1861.
Milepost 594 Saw wind turbines on one side of the road and an oil rig on the other side.
Milepost 624 First sighting of Holstein cows! This area was a beautiful area of north Texas. Small towns surrounded by farm land.
Milepost 631 Found an old barn that just begged me to take it's picture (or two)!
Milepost ??? Wichita Falls, TX Oops! Forgot to write at which milepost I was. Finally found the "World's Littlest Skyscraper." Apparently built as a "marketing" ploy. If it is 10 feet wide, I'd be surprised!
Milepost 666 Oklahoma!
Milepost 710 Lawton, OK. Took a detour to Duncan (30 miles east) and toured the Chisholm Trail Museum. Lots of information on the trails and a lot of interactive displays for kids and adults too! I saw two grown men in the whole western garb including boots and hats doing some of the activities. I have to admit I did the activities too. The best part was an IMAX-type of film on the cattle drives. I came out of that with two thumbs up saying "Totally awesome!" But then again, I love my westerns!
Below are the seven families of long horns, as you can see some have straight horns and others have curved horns.
The cattle driven along the Chisholm trail came from various areas of Texas, however the Rio Grande Valley (where I live) was one of starting points in the USA.
Next stop was in Lawton at the Commanche National Museum. There was "no photography allowed" there, but it was so interesting. The Code Talkers were Commanche Indians from this area that served mainly in WW II as radio men. They would speak in their native language to avoid being intercepted by the Germans. The museum did a great job of giving a background on these men, as well as the Commanches. The Commanches were the super horsemen and build their tribes and strength by using the Pinto horse. Here's the statue in front of the museum.
Another museum to see in the morning and then it's on the road again! Now, I can go over to the casino next door, ah, for dinner ... my husband gave me "permission"..... since I've been "so lucky" on this trip!
1 comment:
Rayna, thank you for taking us with you on your journey. I look forward to getting on the computer to see what you did and saw each day. Stay safe and live in the moment. Love you!
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