Fort Reno

Fort Reno is a military fort in El Reno with fifteen preserved buildings arranged around a central parade ground. The visitor center displays military artifacts, historical photographs, and objects that help explain how soldiers lived and worked at this outpost.

The fort was established in 1874 to maintain order in Southern Cheyenne and Southern Arapaho reservation territories. It played a key role during the period of westward expansion when the military worked to control these lands.

The cemetery here tells the story of different communities that lived during this era: soldiers, settlers, German prisoners of war, and frontier scouts like Ben Clark are buried there. These graves reflect how diverse groups of people came together in this place.

Start your visit at the visitor center to get an overview of the site and its history. From there, you can walk around the preserved buildings and explore the grounds at your own pace while reading the information posted throughout.

Black Jack, a ceremonial horse used in state funerals for presidents Hoover, Kennedy, and Johnson, was trained at this fort. The horse became a lasting symbol of national importance and is still remembered for its role in these historic ceremonies.