Famous Round Barn on Route 66 - Boomer Road Trips

The Round Barn on Route 66 in Arcadia, Arizona

You’ll find the famous Round Barn on Route 66 in Arcadia, Oklahoma. It’s been beautifully restored and it’s hard to believe that it has stood for over 100 years.

The architecture, the round shape, and the acoustics inside make this a very unique stop on Route 66.

There’s also a nice gift shop inside the barn on the first floor that is full of Round Barn and Route 66 souvenirs. You’ll also find a few antiques scattered around as well.

History of the Round Barn

The Round Barn was built by local farmer, William Harrison Odor, in 1898. He used native bur oak boards for its construction. The round shape was achieved by soaking the oak boards while green and forcing them into the curves needed for the walls and roof rafters.

It sits atop a low hill on the original Route 66 highway overlooking the Deep Fork River. It’s been the center or community events and activity for over 100 years.

Odor used oxen to clear the ground for the construction of his barn. It’s 60 feet in diameter and 43 feet high. The foundation is made of red Permian Rock. Local oak timbers were soaked in water until soft and then banded into a mold to create the rafters.

Mr. Odor raised cattle and there were cows and pens all around the barn. The barn was used to store hay, grain and livestock, but according to legend it also served as a community center. The story goes that three workers who were involved in building the barn, realized what a great place it would be for dances. They persuaded Mr. Odor to let them pay for the additional expense to complete the barn with a hardwood floor instead of the rough flooring that was originally planed. The hardwood was far more suitable for dancing. During the next 25 years, the barn was frequently used for barn dances that drew crowds and musicians to Arcadia from around the area. The shape of the barn resulted in excellent acoustics inside.

The Round Barn and Route 66

The road in front of the Round Barn was just a dirt road before Route 66 came along. When Route 66 was commissioned in 1926, the road was paved and aligned through Arcadia in 1928, it brought travelers right next to this round architectural curiosity. The round barn quickly became a Route 66 landmark and a favorite stop for travelers.

Time, neglect, and the harsh Oklahoma weather over the years caused the barn to deteriorate to almost ruin. It was only partially standing by the late 1970’s, when it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

The Arcadia Historical Society acquired the property in 1988 and began to restore the barn. The restored barn opened to the public in 1992 and since then it has been maintained by a dedicated group of volunteers. Today, it remains open as an important community resource and popular resting stop for Route 66 travelers.