Fort Reno (77)
- 15 hours ago
- 3 min read
Going to as many history museums as I have, it's nearly impossible to avoid the painful history of war. Sometimes it's something as small as a medal that a local soldier wore or a wartime canteen that was found in a grandpa's attic. But the impressive collection at the Fort Reno History Museum is all about the military. And one thing that I fully appreciated was the presentation of the good, the bad, and the ugly of war and the personel that were involved. This visit reminded me of things I had forgotten from my Oklahoma History class in high school and also taught me things I didn't know at all.
When I was in grade school, we went on a few super cool field trips. Learning outside the classroom was such a novelty that whatever we went to see lodged in my mind. This trip over to the old fort in El Reno reminded me of being on a field trip, only I didn't have a mass of kids trying to look at the same WWI saddle that I was looking at. Luckily, I had the place to myself for a few minutes. There was a group in before me and a group that came in after me. In between the two groups, I had a great chat with Kirk Coyer about what the museum held. It's always good to talk to someone who knows about the things in the building. It makes the experience that much better. Thanks Kirk! But, once the first group left, the sweet quiet was welcomed while I looked at all the memorabilia, photos, artifacts, drawings, and displays. And this museum is packed with them. Set out in three stories, you'll have plenty to see while you're there. (Keep in mind that there are only stairs to reach the top floor and the basement.)
While you're at Ft. Reno, there is also the U.S. Cavalry Association Museum and the somber Ft. Reno cemetery. After I went through the main visitor center where the museum is, I wandered next door to the building where the Cavalry Association set up an amazing museum dedicated to History, Heritage, and Horsemanship. I have a separate post about them you can check out too. After that, I made my way to the cemetery which was down a dirt road away from the main campus. Cemeteries always make me introspective. I'm always sure I'm going to see something that "Brings the Feels." This graveyard was no exception. I saw headstones of soldiers, spouses, children, infants that didn't get the chance to be named, Indian scouts, a Chinaman [sic], and POWs from Germany and Italy. I had only learned minutes before that Oklahoma had thousands of POWs from WWII encamped here. It was a bit shocking since we're so far inland. That fact just wasn't on my radar at all, but since I came to Ft. Reno, now I know. A quick funny story in s somber setting. While the cemetery is set off by itself and mostly secluded, the day I was there, the FFA (Future Farmers of America) were having a land and soil contest just behind the cemetery. There were dozens of people there in their vans, trucks, and busses. I'm not used to hearing Alan Jackson's "Chattahoochee" blaring while I pay my respects to those that have gone before me. It was part annoying and part hilarious. I chose to just chalk it up to "just my luck." HA!
Make your way to El Reno to see what they have to offer and make sure Ft. Reno is one of your stops.
7107 W Cheyenne St. El Reno
405-262-3987
Entry Fee: $5
Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00-4:00
©Jonathan Elmore 2026
