Arcadia Round Barn

About

Built in 1898 by local farmer William Harrison "Big Bill" Odor, the Arcadia Round Barn is an architectural landmark along Oklahoma's Historic Route 66. Measuring 60 feet in diameter and 43 feet tall, the unusual structure was constructed using locally harvested bur oak boards. Workers soaked the green lumber until it became flexible, allowing them to bend the wood into the barn's distinctive circular walls and domed roof. Originally designed to shelter livestock and store hay and grain, the barn soon became a gathering place for the surrounding community. Its spacious upper floor hosted dances and social events, attracting musicians and visitors from across the region. When Route 66 passed through Arcadia in 1928, the extraordinary building became a recognizable roadside attraction.

Following decades of deterioration, the barn was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Its roof collapsed in 1988, prompting an extensive preservation effort led by retired carpenter Luther Robison and a dedicated group of volunteers known as the Over-the-Hill Gang. Using traditional construction techniques, the volunteers reconstructed the remarkable wooden roof and restored the historic building. Their efforts culminated in the barn's reopening in 1992 and earned a National Preservation Honor Award that same year. Today, the Arcadia Historical and Preservation Society maintains the landmark, welcoming Route 66 travelers to explore historical exhibits, browse the downstairs gift shop, and admire the restored upstairs loft. Visitors can also discover historic farming equipment and experience a surviving piece of Oklahoma's agricultural and roadside heritage.

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