Chisholm Trail - El Reno, Oklahoma
N 35° 31.505 W 097° 57.772
14S E 594033 N 3931770
The western portion of the Chisholm ran through the park where this memorial is located.
Waymark Code: WMER9D
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 06/30/2012
Views: 8
El Reno Legion Park is a large park in the center of El Reno, Oklahoma. The Chisholm Trail generally ran the along the creek which runs the length of the park. This memorial is located at one of the park's entrances, on the northwest corner of W. Ash & S. Reno Ave.
Although the brown and white sign is barely visible above the bushes in the photo, it is one of those can be found throughout this portion of Oklahoma, marking the Trail's passage. The portion that's not visible states that this was a crossing spot for the Trail.
Another marker, standing by itself if found just to the northwest of the park (Waymark WMEPKZ).
Interesting facts about the Chisholm Trail:
1. It was actually known as Jesse Chisholm's Trail during his life and did not get its modern moniker till after his death.
2. Jesse Chisholm never took part in a cattle drive along the trail named after him! Jesse Chisholm was a store owner near modern-day Duncan, Oklahoma, on the banks of the Canadian River. The trail was named after him because it followed the route his supply wagons took.
3. In central Oklahoma, the trail had an eastern and western section. The eastern part was followed by cattle and went through Yukon. The western part took an easier Canadian River crossing and went through El Reno. It was typically followed by wagons.
4. Although many, notably Texans, try to trace the trail in Texas, it never truly existed down there. The Texas portion consisted of dozens of short feeder trails which all came together at the Red River crossing into Oklahoma. It was on the Oklahoma side of the river that the official trail existed.
5. To follow the trail, drive along US 81. If you find and follow the older portions of the road instead of the modern ones, you can easily imagine the landscape seen by the longhorn and cowboys.
To learn more, one of the best sites is "Along the Chisholm Trail:" (
visit link)