Canadian County Historical Society Museum Complex (79)
- May 18
- 2 min read
EL RENO
Not too far from my house in OKC is the city of El Reno. A simple trip on I-40 can take you about a half hour west and a hundred years into the past. A prime example of taking a historic trip through time is the Canadian County Historical Society Museum Complex. It sits inside the former Rock Island train depot built in 1907. Hm, 1907. Why does that number sound familiar? Oh yeah, it's the same year that Oklahoma became an official state. To walk around a building that saw the birth of our state was pretty cool. I know there are older buildings in the world. Some are older than anything in the US. That's fine, but let me have my little joys on my historic journeys. And it was a great museum to show me glimpses of the past.
When I got into the main museum, I was greated by a wonderful group of ladies. They gave me some highlights to look out for and let me know that I would get a tour of all the buildings in the complex by the amazing Janie. After I explored the long train depot and all of the artifacts and displays, taking photos all along the way, I stopped by the area where the gift shop is. I always get either a post card, a magnet, or a sticker to prove that I've been around and saw cool things. I bought my great sticker and let the ladies know I had seen everything. They all laughed. I was informed that I was just getting started. How right they were!
Janie took me on a tour of the grounds that kept getting better and better as we went. We stopped in the Possum Holler School (1908-1936), the Menonite Church (1893), The Hotel El Reno, the site of the 98th Meridian Land Run of 1889 and 1892, The Red Cross Canteen (19170, remnants of a petrified tree, and finally the Red Barn, which was an entirely other museum packed full of historical items. There was so much to look at the Canadian County Museum, I'm almost positive there were things I missed. Which just means I'll have to come back and bring other people with me.
Thanks to everyone that was so nice to me during my visit. That truly make the experience all that much better. Go see for yourself!
300 S Grand Ave, El Reno
405-262-5121
Entry Fee: Adults $5, Kids under 12 Free
Hours: Wed-Sat: 10:30 - 4:00
Jonathan Elmore ©2026
