Comanche is a true modern day western town located along the historic Chisholm Trail in Stephens County. Be sure to visit the Cowboy Opry and Music Store for food, conversation and entertainment!
Mysteries of a Modern-Day Western Town
It is rare that you come across a town in which you find that the community is more like an extended family rather than a large group of people residing amongst one another within certain parameters. However, such is the case in a small country town situated along the historic Chisholm Trail in Stephens County. Set among the rolling prairies, pecan orchards, oil fields and rich farmlands of south-central Oklahoma, the town of Comanche lies just ten miles south of Duncan and about sixty miles northwest of Ardmore.
The community of Comanche was originally known as Tucker and situated a few miles north of its present site. With the coming of the Rock Island Railroad in 1892, Native American landowner Johnny D. Wilson generously donated his property near the railroad to the town of Tucker, so that it could further prosper with closer proximity to the tracks. The Tucker post office was relocated in 1893, and the town was officially incorporated at its present site in 1898. Comanche assumed many nicknames before it landed its final title, as some called it Tucker, some called it Wilson Town, and others called it Border Queen after its grand communal celebrations and tribal festivities. However, the name Comanche finally stuck when Mr. Wilson insisted that it be named after its true founding fathers, the Comanche Indians who first roamed and settled the land in this territory. Today, a strong sense of pride and persistence is still reflected through the passionate people and the community of Comanche as a whole.
Take it from some of the locals...
In downtown Comanche, you will find the Cowboy Opry and Music Store. When you walk in this place, it looks just like a local guitar store with an extensive selection of guitars, fiddles and banjos. But when you make your way to the back, you will discover a magical Cowboy Opry. Founded in 2005, owner Allen Wooten got his first guitar in the early 60s and since then has had a special place in his heart for music and views his establishment as an avenue for sharing his love with all in the community.
If you've never heard of the Cowboy Opry before, it is a large communal gathering place featuring old western décor and replicas of country music's finest like Roy Rojers, Gene Autry and Hank Williams. For over ten years, Mr. Wooten has hosted a free community-wide dinner here every Thursday night. Everyone gathers for the meal around six and the music usually kicks off at seven. The musical entertainment is more of an open-mic concept in which all musicians, both aspiring and established, are welcome to gather on stage to play. The weekly dinner ranges from food provided by local diners to Mr. Wooten cooking up some good ole' fried chicken or stewing up a couple pots of chili and cornbread. At the Cowboy Opry, you can always guarentee good food, good conversation and even better entertainment!
"My wife was from Comanche, so I moved here in 1982. It was evident that Comanche, like many other small towns, need as much support and TLC as it could get to survive and to thrive. From day one, it has been my mission to better community by providing the locals with a form of family-friendly fun that brings everyone together and doesn't cost a dime. I want to give people something to look forward to each week—something that picks them out of the rut of everyday life and gives them some good, wholesome entertainment.
I didn't expect for the Cowboy Opry to become such a huge success, but it has truly been a blessing to me and to the entire community. It's like having a special family dinner each week that EVERYONE in the family looks forward to. Over the years, word about the Cowboy Opry has spread beyond city limits, and we have since welcomed visitors from all over the state, from Lawton to Oklahoma City and beyond. Although donations are accepted, this is not a money-maker for me, it is a passion." - Allen Wooten
When visiting the area, there are a few downtown stores that we recommend checking out for their locally-made products and unique shopping features.
First off: Buzzards Nest - Trading Post
This place is like a carousel of one-of-a-kind finds nestled among themed nooks in a two-story, conjoined building with the set up of a new-age trading post. When shopping here, you can take one step into a sanctuary of handmade baby booties and tiaras and the next step into a pet lovers paradasie, then another step into a heaven of western home whimsies. The Buzzards Nest - Trading Post seriously has anything and everything you could imagine from boutique apparel and accessories to antiques, home décor, artisan works, natural skincare products and so much more!
Secondly: Mud Creek Creations
You know those Pinterest-perfect crafty home accents that you’ve pinned, but you just can’t seem to find the time to attempt. Guess what? Mud Creek Creations has already made them for you. This store features items for the home that have been repurposed by owner and retired local Bob Coffer, who opened his store mainly as a way of extending his newly-found hobby with any and every home needing a colorful refresh. From retro-refinishes and modernized pieces to classic collectibles and western home décor, you will muddle into all of this and more at Mud Creek Creations.
Where else can you find a such a unique, tight-knit community like this? As well-traveled folks, we've never seen any place quite like Comanche before.
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