The Oklahoma Historical Society will dedicate a historical marker commemorating Craterville Park at the Lazy Buffalo Cabins in Cache on September 29 at 11:30 a.m. Established by Frank S. Rush in 1923, Craterville Park became the premier family entertainment venue in southwest Oklahoma. The expansion of Fort Sill in 1956 forced the park’s relocation to a site near Quartz Mountain State Park. A brief ceremony will feature Frank Rush III, Mayor Scott Brown of Cache, and Dr. Matthew Pearce of the Oklahoma Historical Society.

The Lazy Buffalo Cabins are located at 16260 Oklahoma Highway 115 in Cache.

About Craterville Park

In 1923, Frank S. Rush purchased several hundred acres in the Wichita Mountains and established Craterville Park. The park quickly became the premier family entertainment venue in southwest Oklahoma. Amenities included camping, rental cabins, horseback riding, a general store, a US Post Office, an Indian curio store and museum, a spring-fed swimming pool, a restaurant, a skating rink, and amusement rides. The Craterville Park Indian Fair, which featured American Indian crafts, powwows, and sports, was established in 1924 through an agreement with Rush and a group of Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache leaders. The expansion of Fort Sill in 1956 forced Craterville Park’s relocation to a site north of Altus near Quartz Mountain State Park.

About the OHS Historical Marker Program

The OHS Historical Marker Program officially launched following World War II, when it was directed to select 100 people, places, or events important to state history. Today the agency maintains records for over 700 historical markers sponsored by the OHS or other organizations and individuals. In 2024, the OHS began replacing damaged or missing markers sponsored by the OHS with money from the Legacy Capital Financing Fund. The OHS accepts applications for new historical markers twice yearly (May 15 and October 15). Visit okhistory.org/markers for more information.