1087 - Shepler Park

On any other night, the citizens of Lawton would have been sleeping, but on March 3rd, 1904, people were engaged in a desperate battle to save their town. Prairie fires raged, killing five and leaving hundreds of others homeless. The fire consumed three thousand square miles of property and left tens of thousands of dollars in damage in its wake. Lawton was saved only by the valiant efforts of citizens and men from Fort Sill, stopping the fire at the city limits. After that horrific night, the decision was made to create a fire break on the north boundary of town to prevent further devastation. In 1917, the area was turned into a tree-lined boulevard, largely because of Senator Thomas Gore, who was fiercely dedicated to the project.

Connecting to the north side of Gore Median Park is Shepler Park. Ned Shepler, the park’s namesake, was a beloved and very active member of the community despite not being born in the city. He worked at his father’s newspaper, the Lawton Constitution, as a teenager and eventually became its owner. Additionally, he served the local community and the state as a member of multiple organizations such as the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1960.

Nowadays, the park brings the whole community together for Lawton’s Arts for All Festival every year in May. As of 2022, the park has been receiving donations for renovations to further beautify the park. Plans to revitalize the area include making it more accessible for those with mobility issues, areas for art and activities, and a plaza.