Canadian County Historical Museum

300 South Grand Ave., El Reno, OK
Phone: 405-262-5121

East < GO > West

The Canadian County Historical Museum uses the 1907 Rock Island Railroad depot as the main building, and has packed it full of very interesting artifacts from the area. The last passenger trains stopped here in 1967 and in 1970 the historical society acquired the depot which was later listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The old El Reno Hotel is located here. It was being renovated when we were there in 2013. The hotel was moved to this location in 1984. It was open to tour in 2017.

This little 1917 log building was the first Red Cross Canteen Hut in the United States served over 50,000 troops during WWII as they passed through the station. It was placed on the National Register of Historic places in 1975.

The monument in front of this cabin says it was the Fort Reno Headquarters of General Phillip H. Sheridan during the Indian wars of 1876, and that it was moved to this site in 1959. Note the standing log structure which often indicates that there was a shortage of taller trees to make a horizontal log structure. This caboose and a steam locomotive tender were on display next to the depot when we visited in 2013.

A couple of other old buildings, like this 1908 one room schoolhouse, have been relocated to the museum site, making this a pretty interesting place. The original was a log structure that burned down in 1910 and was replaced by this one. They were located about 20 miles west of El Reno. This building was moved to this spot and restored in 1976.

If you can possibly arrange your schedule to take a ride on the Heritage Express Trlley through downtown El Reno we highly recommend doing so! The trolley is a 1924 Brill Motor Car. Call ahead to check the schedule. Phone: 405-262-5121

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Vintage Advertising Highlights

C. R. I. & P. R. R. Depot, EL RENO, OKLA.

NOTE: No descriptive text on the back of this card. Compared to the photo at the top of this page this trackside view shows how similar the two facades are.
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Photo(s): 2013, 2017