Lawton in Comanche County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Chief Ten Bears

Parua Sʉʉmarʉ

— 1792-1872, Yaparʉka Band —

Chief Ten Bears Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney, October 3, 2016

1. Chief Ten Bears Marker

Inscription. An advocate of peace and known for his eloquent words, Chief Ten Bears worked to negotiate harmony between the United States Government and his Comanche people. Tribal members held him in high regard and often chose him as their representative at peace conferences in the the 1800's. He was one of the original signers of the 1837 Medicine Lodge Treaty, a series of peace agreements between the Government, the Comanches and four other tribes. The treaty was the first step toward "transitioning" the plains Indians and resulted in the Comanche Nation's permanent settlement in southwest Oklahoma.

"I was born upon the prairie, where the wind blew free and there was nothing to break the light of the sun. I was born where there were no enclosures and everything drew a free breath. I want to die there and not within walls"

Chief Ten Bears
Medicine Lodge Creek Peace Council
October 1867

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1867.

Location. 34° 37.104′ N, 98° 23.968′ W. Marker is in Lawton, Oklahoma, in Comanche County.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

It is on NW Ferris Ave. Marker is located in front of the Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 701 NW Ferris Ave, Lawton OK 73507, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Kiowa Tribe,

in the Comanche Nation,

and in Southwest Oklahoma—Great Plains Country.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Queen of the Frisco Railroad (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Comanche Reformed Church (approx. 1.2 miles away); Col Jack L. Treadwell (approx. 2.6 miles away); Satank Killed (approx. 2.6 miles away); Fort Sill (approx. 3.1 miles away); M51 Skysweeper 75mm Anti Aircraft Gun (approx. 3.3 miles away);

Photographed by Richard Denney, October 3, 2016

2. Chief Ten Bears Marker

View of marker with Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center in background.

Under the Southern Cross Americal (23rd) Infantry Division (approx. 3.3 miles away); MIM-3 Nike Ajax (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lawton.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2016, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,087 times since then and 102 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 13, 2016, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.