Oklahoma City's Historic Stockyards City began in 1910, when the Oklahoma National Stockyards
began operations. It has remained in operation in its original location for over eighty
years! More than 35 million head of cattle have been sold at the Stockyards, with cattle
auctions still occurring every Monday and Tuesday morning.
Shortly after the Stockyards began operation, a business district sprung up East of the
Stockyards, with the intersection of Agnew & Exchange providing the town centre. In the
early twenties, the Denu brothers started a working saddle shop on the corner of Exchange
and Agnew, in what is now the Langston's building. In 1926, a family dispute resulted in
the Denu brothers dividing their thriving business down the middle. Earl Denu moved across
the street, to 1307 S. Agnew, next to Cattlemen's Steakhouse. There, he started
National Saddlery Company in direct competition with his brother! The original Denu Saddlery
is no longer in business, and many other saddle shops have come and gone, but National
Saddlery Company remains.
True to its origin, National Saddlery Company is still a working
saddle shop, and has been in continuous operation in the same location since 1926! Our
master saddle maker, John David Rule, began to study the art of saddle making as a teenager
at National Saddlery Company. Since then, John has made saddles, harnesses and other leather
goods true to the Old West. No shortcuts are taken here, as John still hand-tools his saddles
and goods, one piece at a time.
To meet the demands of the growing business, National Saddlery Company opened a second
Stockyards location on the corner of 13th & Agnew (1400 S. Agnew). There, National Saddlery
Company offers a complete line of tack, saddles, ropes, western and ranch gear. Recently,
National Saddlery Company teamed up with another Oklahoma business, Cross Bar Gallery, to
offer unique western art, furniture and accessories in the same location! This new location
provides a true Old West experience, where you can gather around our authentic chuck wagon,
or lounge in a custom hand-tooled leather recliner, while you watch John Rule tool a custom
saddle! At National Saddlery's original location (1307 S. Agnew), you'll find the region's
largest selection of rodeo gear, professional bull riding gear, chaps, saddles, as well as
a huge supply of conchos, wildrags, gifts, T-shirts and western jewelry.
So stop in and see us the next time you're in Oklahoma City. The coffee's always on and
you're always welcome!
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