#58: A Fort

in El Reno, OK

Fort Reno was established in 1874 during the time of the Indian Wars. A military presence was requested in the area because the people working with the Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians were concerned for their safety. (Go figure! We were trying to take their land!) It was named in honor of Major General Jesse L. Reno, an officer who was thought would play an important role in the Civil War, that is, until he died.

The Visitor Center is a restored Officer's Quarters from 1936. It is one of only three buildings at the fort which have been completely restored. The other two are a barracks/hospital and a chapel.

The Officer's Duplex has been restored externally, but it is closed to the public until the inside can be completed.

Fort Reno soldiers helped with the transition from Indian territory to Oklahoma statehood. Troops from Fort Reno were also instrumental in assisting during the Oklahoma land runs. Following statehood, the fort became one of three Army Quartermaster Remount Stations. Every branch of the military received horses which were bred and raised at Fort Reno. Special events, such as polo matches, horse races, and horse shows, brought people to the fort from all over the country, including Amelia Earhart. The remount depot at the fort was closed just after World War II.

During World War II, the fort served as an internment workcamp for German prisoners, who labored at nearby farms. Many of the former German POW's have returned to visit the camp and tell stories of how well they were treated during their time at Fort Reno.

A was surprised to find an old headline from her birthdate.

A:
When we went to Fort Reno I saw a lot of different buildings. We even got to look inside some of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There were rooms for soldiers, generals, and other people in the war. Soldiers in the Indian Wars would get together here and make a plan. They would stay there and eat there. It was basically their house!!!!! We were also told stories about the fort. I enjoyed the trip. It was fun.



C:
At Fort Reno, they had a downstairs, upstairs, and middle stairs. We saw lots of things, like a big American flag, the outsides of the buildings. We saw a gun and an old ax.