I confess – I’m pretty whipped on seeing every attraction roadside America in every small town the country has to offer, yet when I saw Indian City, USA I couldn’t pass up the chance to check it out. After all, It’s not everyday you find yourself in Anadarko, Oklahoma.
Indian City, USA is found on the very site of the massacre of the Tonkawa Indians by the Shawnees and other mercenaries during the Civil War. Specifically for the visitors interest and the reason Indian City, USA is titled such, are the various authentic American Indian (Cadoo, Pawnee, Apache, Navajo,Witchita, & Plains) dwellings on the grounds. The villages were planned by and constructed under the supervision of the Department of Anthropology, University of Oklahoma which according to my guide, Dominic played an important role in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. After soaking in the ways of the past along the village trail, head into the cool air conditioned gift shop to pick up additional literature or some Native American handcrafts.
Being a true sucker for dance, my favorite part of the tour was the very end when a young man demonstrated three different tribal dances. I’d have to say it’s a tie between the eagle dance and the extremely fast paced fancy footwork seen in a Pawnee style dance. Unfortunately, there were no rain dances which Oklahoma could use considering the state’s been having a huge drought. In the meantime I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
Indian City, USA is located 2 1/2 miles southeast of Anadarko, Oklahoma. Ph. 405.247.5661. Hours of operation are 9 AM – 5 PM daily. Tours are 45 minutes each with the first starting at 9:30 AM and recommended as it is the coolest part of the day. Admission is $8.50 for adults and free of charge for active duty military personnel.