Yukon - The Young Giant of Canadian County
Yukon, born in 1891 with about 25 residents, has grown in its 104 years to a fine little city of about 24,000.
Originally, A. N. Spencer, a cattleman from Texas turned railroad builder, decided to start a town on the proposed railroad route about 12 miles east of El Reno. Busy building the railroad, he brought in his brothers, L. M. Spencer, William Spencer, and Sam Spencer to help build the town. Friends who came to help were Dan, Sam and George Hogan, J. M. and Joe Farris, and D. S. McEwen.
According to an early newspaper report, the Canadian County Courier of April 1, 1891, "Yukon, the young giant of Canadian County is located on the Choctaw Railroad between Oklahoma City and El Reno, the county tributary to Yukon having 250 square miles in the first part of Oklahoma Territory. Since A. N. Spencer filed the plat on February 14, 1891 there have been 25 homes built, one bank, two real estate offices, two restaurants, a lumber yard, a hardware store, a grocery, a livery stable, two saloons, a blacksmith shop, a printing office, a barber shop and another one about completed."
The town grew slowly. In 1901 they finally voted to incorporate. A few sidewalks were built but there was no street paving until Highway 6 came through Main Street about 1926. By the 1930s, new businesses were opening and the town was spreading out. The little village on two streets has grown into a fine city covering several sections of land and 640 miles of streets meters as of 1991. From a one-room school, the school system now has one of the best school systems in the state.
A barn built in 1936 is now a specially reconstructed barn built to house the Express Clydesdales, named the 2006 Eight-Horse hitch champions at the National Clydesdale Show. These unique black and white Clydesdales have participated in many nationally recognized parades including the Rose Bowl Parade, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Kentucky Derby Pegasus Parade and the Calgary Stampede Parade. This barn is a welcome center for visitors from around the world, featured with pine wood and walnut trim and brass fixtures throughout.
Today, Yukon is more than just another city - Yukon is a community of opportunity! Located in the heart of Oklahoma, Yukon's location offers the amenities of a large city while maintaining a strong sense of community in a hometown environment. Yukon is a vibrant and lively community where people feel comfortable raising their families. This is why more and more people are calling Yukon home. Come and enjoy all Yukon has to offer and discover why Yukon is the best place to live, work and play!
Source:
City of Yukon
Yukon Chamber of Commerce
Express Clydesdale
