I learned that Geronimo is buried at Fort Sill. One of my students gave me detailed directions using an aerial map, but it still took me a long time to find it...located on the back acreage out in the middle of the artillery ranges. This was one of the few signs posted:
Then I had to cross this single lane bridge (and yes, you need to line up the wheels with the planks):
I flagged down the only other vehicle I saw and found my quest was behind the next clump of trees. The rain which had been lightly falling on and off during my search, turned into a down pour just as I found the cemetery. They didn't have spell check so the sign reads exactly as follows:
"APACHE INDIAN CEMETERIES - The roll call of chiefs, warriors, army scouts and families buried here include the most famous names in Apache history: Geronimo, whose daring band performed deeds unmatched since the days of Captian Kidd: Chief Loco of the Warm Springs who stood for peace: Chief Nana, the original desert fox. Chief Chihuahua of the Chiricahuas: and sons and grandsons of Mangus Colorados, Victorio, Cochise, Naiche and Juh and such noted scouts as Kaahteney, Chatto, Kayitah and Martine. Here also lie 12 of the 50 Apaches who were U. S. soldiers and scouts at Fort Sill. Linked with these men in the Indian Wars was a legion of Army greats - General Crook, Miles, Howard, Crawford, Gatewood, Lawton, Grierson and Leonard Wood. This cemetery on Beef Creek was established in 1894 by General Scott. Related cemeteries nearby are the Chief Chihuahua plot 1/4 nile north and Bailtso plot just south across the road. South Mangus and Domeah and, white interpreter George Wratten are buried in the Post Cemetery. Fort Sill, Oklahoma"
Once the rain slowed to a sprinkle, I took my camera and umbrella and went looking for Geronimo.
This was a nearby bush:
I headed back to the main part of the fort, to check out the museums. Inside the Old Post Guardhouse, erected in 1873, for a short time it was the holding facility for Geronimo.
This seven man bed was where the guards slept.
That's a tight fit:
Children posing for the camera:
Part of Artillery Park:
Atomic Annie - M65 Cannon capable of firing a nuclear device. The first and only nuclear shell to be fired was in 1953 as part of the Upshot-Knothole series of nuclear tests in Nevada.
Inside the U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum:
A piece of the Berlin Wall:
Poor old Wind River...with a sign that reads: "Army Mule ca. 1930 - One of the last Army mules in regular service, Wind River was sent to a taxidermist after his death. Normally, taxidermists only mount big game or trophy animals so there was no form available for a mule. The taxidermist used what he thought was the closest animal, a zebra. That is why Wind River looks so unusual."
