Red Cross Canteen
Rock Island Depot, El Reno, OKLet urban cynics sniff at the quality of life in rural areas. Let cosmopolites shrug their shoulders in bemused bewilderment at simplistic patriotism. Let sophisticates scoff at the selfless outpouring of time and effort, by ordinary work-a-day citizens, on behalf of an ideal. El Reno's trail-blazing Red Cross Canteen refutes all such hollow gestures and dramatizes the common-sense, self-help approach to problem-solving that characterized the American frontier and, to a very real extent, still characterizes the American spirit today.
When the United States went to war in 1917 the nation became a beehive of military activity. To the railroads went the task of transporting, not only needed military supplies, but also the hundreds of thousands of young men who were to use them. As the division point of a major railroad, at a major junction of its east-west and north-south lines, El Reno soon became one of the Southwest's busiest rail centers, Here engines and crews were changed, aged and over-taxed equipment repaired to keep the supply of men and materials rolling.
Delays, of course, were inevitable. The community soon became aware of the need for a place where en route military personnel could find something to eat, drink, and relax. And the good ladies of the TBA - a local bridge club - promptly decided to provide just such a rest-stop facility. Thus was born, in early 1918, the idea for what has since become known as the Red Cross Canteen, A local Red Cross chapter had been organized here the previous year. The TBA suggestion envisioned erection of a building to provide headquarters for assembling supplies needed by the some 1,000 servicemen aboard each of the many troop trains passing through El Reno.
In true frontier fashion, the Rock Island donated old telegraph poles and carmen from the line's El Reno shops gave of their time and skills to erect the log-cabin style building. It was dedicated August 1, 1918, with members of the local Woodmen of the World (WOW) Lodge in charge. Fittingly enough, Congressman Scott Ferris was the principal speaker and a resident priest, Father R, Stephens, gave a brief address, Constance Cromer and Malcolm E. Phelps, prominent El Reno doctor, participated in flag raising ceremonies. And volunteer Red Cross workers were soon dispensing to passing troops cookies, sandwiches, cigarettes, candy, snuff, harmonicas, writing paper, and other items ... including turpentine!
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.