Great Plains Country Region, OK Land for Sale

Great Plains Country encompasses the southwest corner of the state, and borders Texas to the west and south. Lawton is the largest city in the region, with other important cities being Elk City, Clinton, Weatherford, Walters, Altus and Duncan.

The economy of the region is anchored in the United States Armed Forces and agriculture, manufacturing and energy industries. Fort Sill and Altus Air Force Base are large employers in the region. Cattle is the primary agricultural product of the region. Wind farms and oil and gas companies also employ a large number. There are a small number of higher education institutions in the region, which include Cameron University, the largest four- year, public university in the region with enrollment of 6,000 students, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, with two locations in the region, Comanche National College, Great Plains Technology Center and Western Technology Center, both part of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education System.

As the region's name suggests, the area is primarily consisting of grassland and gentle rolling hills, with intermittent island ranges. The the largest belongs to the Wichita Mountains, thought to be one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world by geologists. The region is known for its rare plant species, such as the escarpment live oak, nolina, bigtooth maple and sugar maple. There are several national and state protected areas in the region, including Fort Sill National Historic Site, James Arthur Manning State Fish Hatchery, Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, Great Plains State Park, Quartz Mountain State Park, Altus-Lugert State Wildlife Management Area, Sandy Sanders State Wildlife Management Area, Red Rock Canyon State Park, Fort Cobb State Park and State Wildlife Management Area, Foss State Park and Washita National Wildlife Refuge. Some other attractions in the region include Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center, Heartland of America Museum, featuring artifacts from the late 1800s through the 1950s, Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, Stafford Air and Space Museum and Rock Island 905 Railroad Museum.

Comanche County is located in the eastern part of Oklahoma's Great Plains region, and is the fourth most populated county in the state. It is named in honor of the Comanche Native American tribe. Lawton is the largest city and the county seat, and other cities are Cache, Elgin, and there are around 10 other towns and unincorporated communities. Fort Sill military installation is also in the county. The landscape is primarily flat with gently rolling hills, except in the north which has the Wichita Mountains. The economy of the county is largely based in the government sector, due to the large military installation. Other primary industries include manufacturing, real estate and rental and leasing and retail trade. There are also three major hospitals in the area. Cameron University is located in the county. Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge is located in the county, with 59,000 acres that is home to free-range buffalo, Texas longhorn cattle, prairie dogs, elk and deer, and recreation opportunities, such as hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, rappelling, camping, picnicking and fishing. This also includes the Quanah Parker Nature and Visitor Center, featuring interactive displays, artwork, videos, films and a bookstore. Charons Garden Wilderness Area and the North Mountain Wilderness Area are both located within Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Some other attractions in the county include Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center, Fort Sill, Fort Sill Indian School, Geronimo Grave Marker, Mattie Beal home, built in 1907, MEO Meers Observatory, Mt. Scott, located in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Museum of the Great Plains, and Sherman House, built in 1870.

Jackson County is located in the southwestern part of Oklahoma's Great Plains region, and borders Texas to the south. Altus is the only city and the county seat, and there are less than 10 other towns and unincorporated communities. Most of the county is in the Red Bed Plains region, though the western part is in the Gypsum Hills and the northeastern part is in Wichita Mountains. Lake Altus-Lugert, a man-made irrigation lake, is in the center of the county. The county's economy is based on farming and livestock, with major crops including cotton, wheat, corn, alfalfa, hay, barley and sorghum. Major livestock includes horses, cattle, mules, swine and sheep. Altus Air Force Base is also a large employer, and there are more than 16 manufacturers in the county, including a large aircraft manufacturing plant, athletic manufacturing, and a gypsum plant. Western Oklahoma State College and the Southwest Technology Center are the only higher education institutions, and are located in Altus. Some of the finest hunting grounds in the country are located in the county, including hunting for squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, duck, geese and dove during the appropriate seasons. It also features some of the best year-round fishing for bass, crappie and catfish on the nearby lakes. Paul Hollister's catch of a 23-pound 4-ounce hybrid striped bass on Lake Altus set a world record. Some other attractions include Jackson County Courthouse, built in 1910, Museum of the Western Prairie, Altus City Reservoir and two golf courses.