Eischen’s Bar – Okarche, Oklahoma
Even by Oklahoma small town standards, Okarche is a small town. It’s not much bigger than a village though too big to be considered a hamlet. With a population of 1,141 as of the 2020 United States census, Okarche is one of the most interesting spots in a state replete with interesting spots. For one thing, the name Okarche is a portmanteau derived from parts of three words, Oklahoma (OK), Arapaho (AR), and Cheyenne (CHE). Okarche is situated in what was part of the Cheyenne-Arapaho Reservation, after the disgraceful Trail of Tears forced relocation of Southeastern tribes. Though only sixteen miles west of Oklahoma City and fourteen miles north of El Reno (home of Johnnie’s onion burgers), Okarche is as rural as it gets with farming having provided the town’s economic mainstay throughout its history. Ask anybody in Oklahoma what Okarche is known for and they probably won’t tell you about its unique name or history. Everyone in the Sooner state seems to know Okarche for Eichen’s Bar, the “oldest bar in Oklahoma.” As a watering hole, Eischen’s has its own history. It first opened in 1896 (eleven years before Oklahoma became the 46th state in the union). It’s on…
