Before the Founding of Lawton

Land Lottery and Auction

Game

Teaching Materials

Credits

Some people bought lots.  Other people thought they cost too much.  Mose Iralson bought a lot.  His lot was on 3rd Street and C Avenue.  (This is where Lawton Mercantile Company later stood for years.)  Horton and Benbow went to the lot sale, too.  They did not buy a lot "because we thought they were selling too high."

Henry Leininger bought a business lot.  It was located at First Street and D Avenue.  This lot was near the future railroad depot. Leininger had his freight wagons unloaded on his business lot as soon as he could.  Then he got right to work.

Leininger also bought two lots for homes.  One lot was for himself, the other, for his wife.  It was located at Second and North Boundary Streets. These lots were the ones people wanted most.  You could see a spectacular view of the Wichita Mountains to the northwest.  You could gaze at Cache Creek Valley to the east. 

George Goodner and A. H. Cobb went to the auction, too.  They decided not to spend their money on the "high-priced lots."  They each had $60 sewn into the linings of their coats.  The two men saw the price of lots triple within days.  Then they were sorry for their poor decision.