Union City began in 1890 with the arrival of the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway, which the Rock Island took over the next year. A post office for the community of Union had opened in 1889, and within four years the town had three grain elevators and a farm machinery dealer. One elevator still operates.
The town counted 1,794 residents at the 2020 census and uses ZIP code 73090. U.S. Route 81 runs through the center, 10 miles south of El Reno and 6 miles north of Minco, and the Canadian River forms the southern boundary. Most students attend Union City Public Schools, with parts of town in the Banner and El Reno districts.
Union City holds a well-known place in weather science. On May 24, 1973, an F4 tornado tore through town around 4 p.m., destroying 27 homes and 18 mobile homes and causing about $1 million in damage, according to the National Weather Service. National Severe Storms Laboratory scientists tracked it with experimental Doppler radar and chase teams, making it one of the most thoroughly studied tornadoes on record.
Hail is part of the record too. On March 10, 2026, NWS storm data listed 2-inch hail about three miles east-southeast of town and 2.25-inch stones reported by law enforcement roughly six miles east-northeast.
Building rules come from the town and can change, so we confirm current requirements with Union City before tear-off.