Western History Collections

Western History Collections
University of Oklahoma Libraries

Frank Rush Collection

Frank Rush, owner of Craterville Park which is located about 16 miles west of Lawton, had first sponsored an all-Indian fair in 1924. Thereafter, this fair was held annually and widely advertised for its special entertainment and agricultural exhibits displayed by the Indians of Southwestern Oklahoma up to and including 1932. A "covenant" drawn up between Rush and Indian leaders, written on tanned buckskin, set forth the object of this annual event at Craterville Park, as follows:

"The object of this Fair will be to create self-confidence and to encourage leadership by the Indian for his people, to better his position, and to take his place on terms of equality with other races in the competitive pursuits of every day life, and a desire to accomplish the most possible for himself and his people."

The ninth and last annual celebration at Craterville Park was held in 1932. Members of fourteen Indian tribes were present. Will Rogers, the famous actor and columnist of Cherokee descent, attended, and thousands of visitors came during the celebration from August 25-27, 1932. The next spring, Frank Rush died at his ranch home near Craterville Park.

Eight Indian men on horses dressed in traditional attire. RUSH 2	Kiowa men on horse in traditional dress with eagle fan. RUSH 3	Kiowa men dressed in fancy dance attire with bustles riding on truck. RUSH 4
Comanche/Kiowa Women dancing in small circle wearing buckskin dresses and war bonnets. RUSH 6	Kiowa group of Indian boys dancing "traditional" style. To the left women holding headdress and buckskin. RUSH 7	Comanche/Kiowa women wearing eagle feather headdresses. One man holding an eagle staff. RUSH 8
Indian men with a white photographer. Men lined up in traditional dress with staffs. RUSH 9	Kiowa Indian boys fancy dancing. RUSH 10	Six Comanche Indian men in traditional attire with a child on horseback being photographed. Two tepees in background. RUSH 12
Comanche and Kiowa Indians probably preparing for a parade. RUSH 15	Kiowa Indian girl on a horse pulling a travois in a parade. RUSH 16	Kiowa Indian boys fancy dancing. RUSH 17
Comanche/Kiowa group of Indian men on horses. Indian man leading a horse with travois. RUSH 18	Comanche/Kiowa older Indian man and woman, perhaps traditional sundancer, walking in line followed by children with dogs. RUSH 21	Kiowa boys dancing in fancy dance attire RUSH 22
Comanche/Kiowa Indian people standing in a line with horses behind them. RUSH 24	Comanche/Kiowa Indian men and boys fancy dancing. One man is holding an eagle staff. RUSH 26	Kiowa Indian men and boys fancy dancing. Indians on horseback in the background RUSH 27
Top
1 . 2
Ordering Information \| Price List Photograph Policies \| Photograph Disclaimer Gallery Western History Collections Photographic Archives
Western History Collections \| University Libraries OU Homepage \| OU Visitors Center
Contact the Western History Collections.
disclaimer