First scouted in 1869 and known as Camp Wichita, Fort Sill has a rich history in Oklahoma. Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan who was behind the formation of the army base, named it after a West Point friend, Brigadier General Joshua W. Sill, who had been killed during the American Civil War. The army fort played a large role in American and Indian politics in the late 19th century. For a while, several Apache prisoners called Fort Sill home, including famous Chief Geronimo. After the frontier vanished as settlers moved in, Fort Sill took on another role, namely artillery training. The School of Fire for the Field Artillery was started in 1911 and continues today although it is now known as the U.S. Army Field Artillery School.
In addition to army soldiers, a battery of US Marines is stationed at Fort Sill currently. While the area was used to detain deserters from the military, that is being phased out and moved to Fort Leavenworth. The site is also home to Fort Sill National Cemetery, which is the final resting place for many famous soldiers. Several Indian chiefs including Geronimo, Kiowa Chief Satanta, and Comanche Chief Quanah Parker are said to be buried at other cemeteries at Fort Sill.