In Tillman County, wetlands, lake shores, and historic memorials are among the area’s defining discoveries. The landscape lies in the Red Bed Plains physiographic region, a subregion of the Osage Plains. In the county’s southwest, Hackberry Flat WMA covers 7,566 acres and brings together upland and wetland habitats. This variety gives the natural area a distinctive focus: 29 different species of wading birds have been recorded at Hackberry Flat.
Wetlands, Wildlife Watching, and Lake Frederick
The William H. “Bill” Crawford Hackberry Flat Center offers interpretive information for wildlife enthusiasts, students, and teachers. The offerings for schoolchildren also include learning experiences in a wetland. A nature trail at Hackberry Flat leads to a wildlife observation platform. These provide different ways to engage: information and lessons impart knowledge, while the trail and observation platform offer views of wildlife.
Lake Frederick adds another dimension to the landscape. The lake has 1,000 acres of water and 18 miles of shoreline. There is a boat dock and two boat ramps on site; the docks are accessible. Since facility details can change, check the latest information before your visit. Fishing at the lake is possible for walleye, catfish, bass, crappie, and perch. Check current regulations and conditions before fishing.
Historic Memories in Tillman County and Grandfield
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. A life-size statue of Bud and Temple Abernathy stands on the Tillman County courthouse grounds. It commemorates the brothers’ 1910 horseback journey from Frederick to Washington, D.C., and on to New York City. These memorials refer to two different events and years: an expedition in 1905 and a journey five years later.
In Grandfield, the historic marker Big Pasture records another turning point: bids were opened there on March 15, 1907; this was the last major land opening in Oklahoma. The Grandfield Downtown Historic District also tells the story of the region’s economic development. It is listed on the National Register for its significance to the commercial growth of the Big Pasture area in southwestern Oklahoma.
The Pioneer Heritage Townsite includes historic buildings representing the prairies and southwestern Oklahoma in the 1920s. The Nill House adds a specific building story to this picture: the Nill family brought it to this area in 1906; it was originally built from a corn crib. Compared with the region’s broader story, the house offers one distinct and unusual architectural detail.
The Crawford Collection includes about 170 taxidermy mounts from around the world; the collection may change. Visits are available by appointment or during events in town. Confirm the current arrangements before your visit.
Events and Discoveries in Frederick
The Pioneer Heritage Townsite’s annual special events include the Cotton Festival in November. The seasonal program Seed to Sow includes cotton picking, demonstrations with a miniature cotton gin, and weaving cotton on a spinning wheel. Check dates and program details before your trip.
At Frederick’s airport, the World War II Airborne Demonstration Team Foundation is headquartered in a preserved wartime hangar. Jump School and Open Hangar Day are held at the hangar twice a year; check dates before your trip. The Tillman County Heritage Barn Quilt Trail features Oklahoma’s largest barn quilt, as well as quilt displays throughout Frederick. If you’d like to explore the trail, confirm route information in advance.
Discover more destinations: Frederick, Bryan County, Kiowa County, Le Flore, Lincoln County, Muskogee, Dewey, Pontotoc.
For the broader travel overview: Oklahoma.
