Next Stop El Reno!

Road Trip Oklahoma is starting 2012 with a bang. On Friday, January 20, Oklahoma's Own News 9 will be in El Reno, Oklahoma.

El Reno was originally located about five miles north of its present location, on the banks of the North Canadian River. Originally known as Reno City, the name was changed because of confusion with Reno, Nevada. Currently, the city has a population of over 16,000 people.

Historic Fort Reno was built in 1874, and first commanded by General Phillip Sheridan. He named it in honor of his friend, Gen. Jesse L. Reno, who was killed in the Civil War. Today, the grounds of the old fort are about one mile west of El Reno and are home to a research laboratory for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The laboratory studies environmentally sustainable forage and livestock production, contributing to preservation of the great plains of North America.

El Reno is home of the annual Fried Onion Burger Day Festival, which is always the 1st Saturday in May. Join News 9 on January 20 to explore this historic town.