Rock Island Depot
a.k.a. Canadian County Museum
400 W. Wade St., El Reno, OKThe Rock Island Depot is significant in the area of transportation because the railroad was a primary factor in the development of El Reno, Oklahoma.
Development of the railroads greatly contributed to the growth of the American West during the last half of the 19th and early 20th centuries. One of the major lines through present day Oklahoma was the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. Building south from Caldwell, Kansas in 1890, the line traversed the Cherokee Outlet and the Unassigned Lands (opened to white settlement in 1889) and reached the border of the Chickasaw Nation.
Eventually the railroad extended southward into Texas, and just after the turn of the century, Rock Island acquired an east-west line. The north-south line and the east-west line intersected in El Reno establishing the community as the company's major station in Oklahoma Territory.
As a result, El Reno developed as the regional trade center for west central Oklahoma. The railroad provided a means for shipping agricultural products to market and provided a dependable means for bringing goods and supplies, as well as new settlers to El Reno and the surrounding country side. The business for the El Reno station increased to the point that in 1907 the depot here nominated was constructed. It was one of the largest on the line. The depot served Rock Island and El Reno until the early 1970's when rail transportation waned in importance.
Thus, the Rock Island Depot symbolizes the importance of the railroad to El Reno and the surrounding area. Today, the structures houses the museum of the Canadian County Historical Society.
Local significance of the building:
Development of the railroads greatly contributed to the growth of the American West during the last half of the 19th and early 20th centuries. One of the major lines through present day Oklahoma was the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. Building south from Caldwell, Kansas in 1890, the line traversed the Cherokee Outlet and the Unassigned Lands (opened to white settlement in 1889) and reached the border of the Chickasaw Nation.
Eventually the railroad extended southward into Texas, and just after the turn of the century, Rock Island acquired an east-west line. The north-south line and the east-west line intersected in El Reno establishing the community as the company's major station in Oklahoma Territory.
As a result, El Reno developed as the regional trade center for west central Oklahoma. The railroad provided a means for shipping agricultural products to market and provided a dependable means for bringing goods and supplies, as well as new settlers to El Reno and the surrounding country side. The business for the El Reno station increased to the point that in 1907 the depot here nominated was constructed. It was one of the largest on the line. The depot served Rock Island and El Reno until the early 1970's when rail transportation waned in importance.
Thus, the Rock Island Depot symbolizes the importance of the railroad to El Reno and the surrounding area. Today, the structures houses the museum of the Canadian County Historical Society.
Transportation
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
About National Register Listings
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.
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The Cherokee Nation is headquartered in Oklahoma and is one of the largest Native American tribes in the country. The tribe has a long and complex history in Oklahoma, including the forced removal of thousands of Cherokees from their ancestral lands in the 1830s, which became known as the Trail of Tears.
About Canadian County
Canadian County Timeline
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.
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.
Canadian County Timeline
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.