Tillman County: Nature, Water and History

Tillman County lies in the Red Bed Plains physiographic region, a subregion of the Osage Plains. Its natural environment and cultural heritage offer different focal points for planning your trip: wetlands and wildlife on one hand, and historic sites, collections, and events on the other.

Wetlands and Wildlife

In southwestern Tillman County, Hackberry Flat WMA covers 7,566 acres. The area combines upland and wetland habitats; 29 different species of shorebirds have been recorded there. The mix of these habitats and the birdlife both offer concrete points of interest for nature enthusiasts.

The William H. “Bill” Crawford Hackberry Flat Center offers interpretive information for wildlife enthusiasts, students, and teachers. For schoolchildren, its offerings include educational experiences in a wetland. At Hackberry Flat, a nature trail leads to a wildlife observation platform. Along with information, the trail and observation point provide different topics to consider when planning a trip.

Lake Frederick: Water and Fishing

Lake Frederick has 1,000 acres of water and 18 miles of shoreline. The lake has a boat dock and two boat ramps; the docks are wheelchair accessible. These facility details may change. Check the latest information before including them in your plans.

You can fish for walleye, catfish, bass, crappie, and perch at Lake Frederick. The lake thus combines a clearly defined fishing focus with details about its water area and shoreline. Which fish and water-related themes interest you most can help you decide whether to focus on nature and water experiences or instead on history and events.

Historic Markers and Sites

The historic marker The Great Wolf Hunt of 1905 commemorates Theodore Roosevelt’s wolf-hunting expedition with Jack “Catch ’em Alive” Abernathy in April 1905. Another marker, Big Pasture in Grandfield, records that bids opened on March 15, 1907, and that this was the last major land opening in Oklahoma. The two markers highlight different events in the area’s history.

The Grandfield Downtown Historic District is listed on the National Register for its significance to the commercial growth of the Big Pasture area in southwestern Oklahoma. On the Tillman County courthouse square, a life-size statue of Bud and Temple Abernathy commemorates their 1910 horseback journey from Frederick to Washington, D.C., and on to New York City.

At Pioneer Heritage Townsite, historic buildings represent the prairies and southwestern Oklahoma in the 1920s. The Nill House was originally built from a corn crib and brought to this area by the Nill family in 1906. The Crawford Collection includes about 170 taxidermy mounts from around the world; the collection may change over time. Visits are by appointment or during events at the site. Confirm the visiting arrangements in advance.

Events and Cultural Themes

Pioneer Heritage Townsite hosts a Cotton Festival as an annual special event in November. The seasonal Seed to Sow program features cotton picking, demonstrations with a miniature cotton gin, and cotton spinning on a spinning wheel. Confirm event dates and program details before your trip.

The headquarters of the World War II Airborne Demonstration Team Foundation is at the Frederick airport in a preserved World War II-era hangar. The World War II Airborne Demonstration Team’s hangar hosts Jump School and Open Hangar Day twice a year; check the dates before your trip. The Tillman County Heritage Barn Quilt Trail features Oklahoma’s largest barn quilt, as well as quilt displays throughout Frederick. Confirm route details before your visit.

If you’re planning around a seasonal program, an event, or a visit to the Crawford Collection, confirm the relevant dates and visiting arrangements in advance.

Discover more destinations: Frederick, Lincoln County, Sequoyah County, Texas, Stephens, Cherokee, Ottawa, Muskogee.

For the main travel overview: Oklahoma.