National Register Listing

El Reno Hotel

300 S. Choctaw St., El Reno, OK
Significance of the El Reno Hotel lies not in what it was, but in what it represents - the typical small town hostelry on the western frontier ... not in its appearance - a traditional two-story frame structure with ginger-breaded" porch - but in its longevity. Erected in 1892, three years after El Reno was established with the opening to white settlement of old Oklahoma in 1889, it has survived over 80 years of municipal growth and development with a minimum of physical of procedural change. Although it has registered no guests since 1975, it stands quietly with paint-peeling dignity, most of its original furnishings intact, a museum-quality exhibit of the modest, center-of-everything, small town hotel.
Local significance of the building:
Commerce; Social History

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

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.

commerce social history inns, hotels, motels
During the Great Depression, thousands of farmers in Oklahoma were displaced from their land due to drought and dust storms. Many of these farmers migrated to California in search of work, a journey that became known as the "Okie migration."
Oklahoma random facts
Canadian County is a county located in the state of Oklahoma in the United States. The county was established in 1889 as part of Oklahoma Territory, shortly after the Land Run of April 22, 1889. Its name is derived from the Canadian River, which runs through the county. The county seat is El Reno, which was named after Fort Reno, a historic military fort.

In the early years, Canadian County relied heavily on agriculture for its economy. Wheat, cotton, and cattle were the primary crops, and the county became known for its fertile soil and abundant water supply. With the arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s, the county experienced more rapid growth and development.

During World War II, Canadian County played a significant role in supporting the war effort. El Reno was home to the Fort Reno Internment Camp, which held German prisoners of war. The county also had several military installations, such as the El Reno Naval Air Station and the Reno Army Airfield, where bomber crews were trained.

In recent years, Canadian County has experienced rapid population growth and suburbanization. The county has attracted numerous residents who work in the nearby Oklahoma City metropolitan area, seeking a more rural and peaceful lifestyle. While agriculture continues to be an important industry in the county, Canadian County has also seen the expansion of industries such as manufacturing, energy, and retail.

Overall, Canadian County has a rich history rooted in agriculture, and has adapted to changing times to become a vibrant community with a diverse economy.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Canadian County, Oklahoma.

  • 1890 - Canadian County is founded as a part of Oklahoma Territory.
  • 1892 - The county seat is established in El Reno.
  • 1902 - The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad is built through the county.
  • 1909 - The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is established in Chickasha.
  • 1931 - The Great Depression reaches its peak, causing economic hardship in the county.
  • 1959 - The Canadian River is dammed to create Lake Overholser.
  • 1986 - The Canadian County Historical Museum is opened in El Reno.
  • 1999 - A tornado outbreak affects Canadian County, causing significant damage.
  • 2005 - Construction of the Canadian Valley Technology Center is completed.