Travel Guide El Reno

The present city was founded in 1889 and named for General Jesse L. Reno, who was killed at the Battle of South Mountain, Maryland, in 1862. The "El" was added to differentiate Reno from the post offices in Reno, Nevada and Fort Reno. Previously established 5 miles north on the banks of the North Canadian River, the town had to be moved when the Rock Island Line was built The city can be entered from the east on the old Route 66 (South Shepard Avenue) or by continuing on the main road (Highway 66, then Highway 81 and Highway 40), which leads to downtown. Nearby is a neighborhood called Heritage Park, consisting of several buildings maintained by the Canadian County Historical Museum. In season, a historic streetcar provides transportation between Downtown and the site. Just outside of town, on the left, is the El Reno Reformatory (FCI El Reno). Access to Fort Reno, now occupied by the Department of Agriculture, is a little farther down the road, 5 miles from downtown. A few miles northwest of El Reno is the Concho Indian Agency. There is a small cemetery where Brinton Darlington (1804-1872), the first Cheyenne-Araphaho Indian agent, is buried. El Reno holds the annual Fried Onion Burger Day Festival in May, where the largest burger in the world (400 kg) is cooked. This event has been suspended since the 2019 covid crisis.