El Reno - "Crossroads of America"
El Reno, the Canadian County Seat, is located at the intersection of two historic highways, nostalgic Route 66 and the Chisholm Trail (Highway 81), in the heart of the Canadian River Valley. I-40 runs through El Reno as well, and because of this optimum location, El Reno has been titled "Crossroads of America." El Reno is something of a buffer zone between what is rural and what is metro, offering rural and suburban living with all the convenience of a major metropolitan city.
Some of our great attractions include:
Heritage Express Trolley
The Heritage Express Trolley is the only rail-based trolley in the great State of Oklahoma. The trolley runs from Heritage Park, located on the grounds of the Canadian County Historical Museum, and travels through the downtown area where you can exit to enjoy a great meal at one of the unique restaurants or browse at one of the many specialty shops.
Historic Downtown
In 2006, El Reno received the Great American Main Street Award, a National designation recognizing El Reno's historic commercial district revitalization efforts. Historic downtown is located on nostalgic Route 66 and the official Chisholm Trail. Downtown boasts land run period, turn-of-the-century architecture, providing a welcoming atmosphere for specialty shopping, eating at one of the great restaurants, or taking a tour. Tour choices include: Scavenger Hunt, Historic Buildings Tour, Artist's Mural Tour, Historic Homes Tour, Murder Mystery Theater, Chocolate Mystery Tour, etc.
Fort Reno
Fort Reno was established as an Indian Territory military fort in 1875 and is located four miles west of El Reno on Route 66. Fifteen buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places are adjacent to the parade grounds. Fort Reno has recently unveiled their refurbished and very beautiful Visitor's Center. The Fort served as a POW Camp during WWII and many Italian and German soldiers are buried alongside buffalo solders on the camp burial grounds. From 1908 through 1947 the Fort was an army remount station and from 1948 to present, the grounds are home to the USDA Grazinglands Research Laboratory. Historic Fort Reno has several events throughout the calendar year and provides casual or customized tours.
Lake El Reno
Lake El Reno has 333 acres of open land and 300 acres of flat water that is used recreationally for water skiing, jet skiing, swimming, boating and fishing. It is also home to a remote control airplane field and a motorcycle dirt track. A quiet 22 space RV park is nestled behind the lake with water and electrical hook ups.
Canadian County Museum
The Canadian County Museum is rated as one of the outstanding museums in Oklahoma. Located in El Reno's Heritage Park, the grounds sit on the 98th meridian, which divided the unassigned lands in central Oklahoma from the Cheyenne and Arapaho lands in western Oklahoma. The main museum is housed in the fully restored old Rock Island Depot. The museum grounds house a number of historic buildings from the first Red Cross Canteen in the nation to General Sheridan's cabin, the oldest standing structure in Canadian County.
Crimson Creek Golf Course
Crimson Creek Golf Course offers 18 holes of golfing pleasure. This P.B Dye, Jr. designed course is guaranteed to provide one of your most challenging games and is nestled in a beautiful setting at Lake El Reno.
Heroes Plaza
Heroes Plaza is a monument that honors the 206 Canadian County men and women who gave their lives in twentieth century wars. Heroes Plaza is located in historic downtown El Reno along the Heritage Express Trolley Route.
Youngheim Centennial Plaza
Youngheim Plaza is home to the Reno Monument, a monument honoring Civil War hero Major General Jesse Lee Reno, the city's namesake. Youngheim Plaza is El Reno's Centennial Project. In addition to the monument and other features, the Plaza contains a covered Trolley Stop with bench and is expected to feature an interactive water fountain and public restrooms by the fall of 2007.
Historic Darlington
Historic Darlington is now home to Redlands Community College Applied Research Center. Darlington has been home to a Native American School, Masonic Mission House and Orphanage, and the Wildlife Department program. The two Masonic buildings still stand today. The Grade A Goat Dairy boasts the only equipment of its kind - monitoring goat milking procedures via computer. Enjoy a tour of the premises, complete with 60 milking goats, 70 meat goats, and seasonal cheese-making demonstrations.
Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma American Bison Herd
There are currently 260 head of buffalo on 3,000 acres of native grass lands. The heard is located adjacent to the Lucky Star Casino in Concho on Tribal lands 3 miles north of El Reno on State Highway 81.
Redlands Community College and the nationally recognized Canadian Valley Vo-Tech allow businesses to train and maintain a highly skilled workforce. Redlands Community College is a leading educator in the region. RCC's state-of-the-art media center is capable of simulcasting and interacting with other institutions around the block or on the other side of the planet. This permits the student body to engage instructors at various locations on almost any given subject. The curriculum can be changed with ease, and is ideal for smaller, more specialized training.
Canadian Valley Area Vo-Tech offers top notch occupational training. Oklahoma's Training for Industry Program (TIP), is considered the best in the country. Offered through the vo-tech, TIP provides training for new or expanding industries. Using TIP, we can design and initiate a training program to meet exact specifications, free of charge!
El Reno is also home to Park View Hospital, Adams Park, Frank Knight Skate Park, Legion Park, El Reno Bowl, Reno 8 Cinema and Lucky Star Casino. El Reno also houses seven major industries: Dexter Axle, Gemini Coatings, El Reno Aviation, Gibson Aviation, Cimarron Aircraft, Schlumberger, and Exxiss. El Reno offers ten hotels to choose from and three RV parks. The Goff House Inn is a beautifully restored 1900 home that now serves as a Bed and Breakfast. The Inn is located adjacent to the Canadian County Historical Museum Grounds and is on the Trolley travel path. The Hager House Bed and Breakfast is located in the historic residential district and specializes in scrap-booking weekends. Bill and Clara s Home and Ranch is a bed and breakfast set in the country.
More than 18 religious denominations are represented locally. Spiritual, ethnic and racial diversity are the fabric of El Reno. The people who know this place love it. The rich history, racial and religious diversity make El Reno a 'hometown' to almost all who take an interest in it. Maybe that explains why many natives who move away, eventually come back home.
El Reno has experienced much growth over the last year, with major investors and industry developers seeking to locate in El Reno. New housing editions are taking shape across our town, and downtown El Reno will be receiving new sidewalks, due to our recent ODOT TEA21 grant award. Several Route 66 grants have been submitted that, if received, would allow for signage, façade improvements, information stations, and downtown pocket park development. Plans are underway for a mass improvement to El Reno's parks, recreation and sporting facilities.
EVENTS
El Reno could be called a festival town. It comes alive with music, parades and great food on most holidays - and many dates in between. There's an event for everyone - from festivals celebrating ethnic diversity and heritage to a tribute to the aromatic burgers that have been cooked daily in El Reno since the early 1900's. Our events reflect the sense of heritage and community - and the love of a good time. All the good things in life are celebrated.
Some of our most famous events are El Reno Gras Car Races, Fried Onion Burger Day Festival, A Small Town Weekend, El Reno Garden Tour, Oklahoma Indian Nations Pow Wow, El Reno Heritage and Arts Festival, Fort Reno Candlelight Tour, Canadian County Free Fair, Tombstone Tales, Appetite for the Arts Festival, Rolling Thunder's Operation Carry the Flame, El Reno Route 66 Triathlon, Christmas on the Western Frontier, Christmas Tour of Homes, and Fort Reno Christmas. A high level of community participation in local events makes all of these events possible.
HERITAGE AND ARTS FESTIVAL - The El Reno Arts Festival is the perfect avenue for cultural enrichment. This fine arts festival includes oil and acrylic, sculpture and pottery, graphic, pastel, watercolor and photography. In addition, what would an arts festival be without entertainment and great food.
BURGER DAY - The Burger Day Festival is a celebration of the aromatic, unique burgers which have been cooked daily in El Reno since the early 1900's. Cooked every year on the first Saturday in May, the "Big Burger" is the worlds largest fried onion hamburger, weighing over 700 pounds. Festival goers are treated to a free bite of the "Big One" as long as it lasts. There are many activities for children as well as live entertainment on three stages. The festival also features a craft show and one of the largest car shows in the state.
A SMALL TOWN WEEKEND - The first weekend in June is A Small Town Weekend on Route 66. This nostalgic car cruise will remind you of a time when poodle skirts and sock hops were the tops. Other events include the only legal burnout in the state, a free concert, a classic car show and more!
The last weekend in September take a journey back to the days of the cavalry and Indian scouts during FORT RENO TOMBSTONE TALES EVENT. Hear stories about the excitement and tragedy of life on the prairie as told by historical reenactors in the Old Post Cemetery. Enjoy guided walks through the encampments and an entertaining and educational program provided by the famous, and not so famous, people buried at Fort Reno.
The first Thursday following Thanksgiving, downtown comes alive with the annual Christmas festivities. You can enjoy an old fashioned Christmas parade, trolley rides, carolers, and of course Santa. The community Christmas Tree is lit as the official kick off to the Christmas season.
For more information contact the El Reno Convention and Visitors Bureau at 405-262-8687 or visit us on the web at www.elreno.org
Source: City of El Reno
