Steeped in history and rich with pioneering spirit, El Reno, Oklahoma, stands as a testament to the American West’s enduring legacy. Located just west of Yukon, this vibrant city uniquely sits at the crossroads of two iconic historical routes: the legendary Chisholm Trail and the Mother Road, Route 66. With a population of less than 20,000, the residents of El Reno, Oklahoma, are deeply proud of their heritage, actively preserving and promoting the stories etched into their landscape by travelers, cattle drives, and land rushes.
The Chisholm Trail and Early Settlements
Before the establishment of the town of El Reno, the region was already a significant corridor for commerce and movement. In 1866, the intrepid trader Jesse Chisholm forged the renowned Chisholm Trail, a vital artery for cattle drives. Hundreds of thousands of longhorns were herded north from Texas to Kansas, where they would be loaded onto trains bound for eastern markets. A crucial stop along this arduous journey was the Caddo Springs Stage Station, strategically located atop Concho Hill, north of present-day El Reno. This station quickly became a major hub, linking Wichita, Kansas, with Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and providing essential services to weary travelers.
Native American Heritage and Fort Reno’s Origins
The same year the Chisholm Trail began to flourish, 1866, also marked the establishment of the Cheyenne-Arapaho Reservation through a significant treaty. This agreement was partly negotiated by Black Kettle, widely recognized as the greatest chief of the Southern Cheyenne. Tragically, Black Kettle’s life ended during the Battle of the Washita in November 1868, at the hands of General George Custer, near what is now Cheyenne, Oklahoma. Following this, the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes were relocated from eastern Colorado to lands south of the Arkansas River.
Darlington Indian Agency and School
To oversee the affairs of these tribes, the Darlington Indian Agency was founded in August 1869, positioned three miles north and two miles west of present-day El Reno. Named after its first superintendent, Brinton Darlington, the agency quickly spurred settlement in the area. By 1871, the Cheyenne Indian School was established just two miles north of Darlington, further cementing the region’s importance.
Establishment of Fort Reno
Recognizing the need to maintain peace and order amidst the ongoing unrest among Native American tribes, Fort Reno was established in 1874. Initially known as the “Camp Near Cheyenne Agency,” it was officially renamed Fort Reno in 1876, honoring Major General Jesse L. Reno, a Union hero who fell during the Civil War. Soldiers at the fort swiftly erected a stockade, which served as Lieutenant General Philip Sheridan’s headquarters during his notable Indian campaigns. While cavalry units eventually subdued the major uprisings, they remained at Fort Reno to ensure lasting tranquility in the territory.
The Oklahoma Land Run and the Birth of El Reno
The landscape of the region underwent a dramatic transformation on April 22, 1889, with the opening of the area’s unassigned lands for settlement. This momentous event, known as the great Oklahoma Land Run, saw an unprecedented influx of pioneers. Fort Reno soldiers were tasked with maintaining order as thousands rushed to claim their stakes. Almost immediately, the Rock Island Railroad commenced construction of a new line, stretching from Caldwell, Kansas, to the south bank of the Canadian River. A bustling settlement known as Reno City had already sprung up near Fort Reno, but its residents, recognizing the immense economic potential of the railroad, made the collective decision to relocate their entire community closer to the rail line.
With remarkable speed and determination, buildings, businesses, and people were uprooted and moved to the new location, which they renamed El Reno. The arrival of the first train in January 1890 solidified the community’s future, transforming it into a vital rail center for the bountiful wheat harvests of Canadian County. Just two months later, in March 1890, El Reno proudly assumed its role as the county seat, underscoring its growing prominence.
Continued Growth and the Route 66 Era
The allure of new opportunities continued to draw settlers to El Reno. Additional unassigned lands were opened in 1892 and again in 1894, further expanding the population and development of the burgeoning town. A final chapter in the land settlement era unfolded on August 6, 1901, when the old Irving School in El Reno served as the site for the lottery drawing of the last free territory land. These lands, previously allocated to the Wichita, Caddo, Comanche, Kiowa, and Apache tribes, marked the ultimate frontier opened to white settlers.
With the advent of Route 66, El Reno, like countless other towns along the Mother Road, readily adapted to serve the throngs of travelers. A thriving array of restaurants, motels, and service stations sprang up along the highway, catering to the needs of those traversing the nation’s iconic thoroughfare. Today, El Reno offers visitors a captivating glimpse into both the glory days of the Mother Road and the rugged spirit of the Old West.
A unique attraction is the Heritage Express Trolley, the only rail-based trolley system in all of Oklahoma, providing a charming way to explore the city’s historic core. Visitors can also delve deeper into the area’s rich past at the Canadian County Historical Museum, housed within the beautifully restored old Rock Island Depot, which showcases a comprehensive collection of local history and artifacts.
The Impact of Route 66 Bypasses
While El Reno thrived on Route 66, the evolution of modern highways eventually led to bypasses that significantly impacted smaller communities further west. The original highway segment traveling west from El Reno passed through several towns that subsequently experienced hardship when bypassed by newer routes. Notably, Calumet, Geary, and Bridgeport were cut off relatively early in Route 66’s history, when the El Reno bypass diverted traffic away from them in 1933, illustrating the changing dynamics of American travel and its profound effect on roadside towns.
Conclusion/Final Thoughts
From its origins as a vital point on the Chisholm Trail and a cornerstone of Native American history to its pivotal role in the Oklahoma Land Run and its vibrant presence on Route 66, El Reno, Oklahoma, embodies a rich tapestry of American history. It continues to honor its past while offering modern visitors a chance to connect with the pioneering spirit and the romance of the open road. As a proud keeper of its unique heritage, El Reno stands as an inviting destination for history enthusiasts and Mother Road adventurers alike.
