Along historic Route 66, in the small Oklahoma town of Arcadia, lies one of the most photographed buildings on the highway. The Round Barn of Arcadia has become a must-visit opportunity for travelers from all over the world.
On a recent afternoon in October, a couple from Belgium stopped into the barn. They came in for the history of the barn and Route 66.
As you enter, a map on the wall tells the story of the numerous places people have traveled from to visit the barn and drive down historic Route 66.
“We had a lot of people from Finland this year,” said Joe Baxter, a volunteer at the Round Barn.
Year after year this little barn continues bringing people from all backgrounds and locations to Arcadia, Okla.
From the 120-year-old support beams on the first floor to the intricate design of the famed domed roof on the second floor, the building’s structure provides a window into the ingenuity of the original builder and those who took part in the building’s restoration in the late 1980s. Both the original construction and the latter restoration were completed without the assistance of any modern hardware.
The barn was originally built in 1898 by a local farmer named William Odor. He used soaked bur oak boards from the Deep Fork riverbed and curved them to create the round structure. Odor decided on a round formation to help withstand the high winds of the Oklahoma plains.
The Arcadia Historical and Preservation Society, which maintains the barn, enlists the help of local volunteers to open the barn each day, help with the upkeep, and greet daily visitors.
The barn’s history is not only the building but also the volunteers who help preserve and tell its story.
Volunteers like Joe Baxter, make the famed history come alive for visitors through oral storytelling. Stories of Oklahoma’s pioneer days long past, the barn’s construction, the history of Route 66 in the area, and the occasional ghost sighting story add to the charm of the barn.
Baxter, who lives in the area, volunteers every Tuesday morning and is active in planning musical and community events at the barn.
“I was looking to do something when I retired, to volunteer…I do quite a few hours up here,” said Baxter. The barn’s history both past and present speaks of many accounts of volunteers and community support.
The Arcadia Historical and Preservation Society has plans for several upcoming events to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66, one of which is an antique car show in the spring 2026. The AHPS recently held its first Annual Fall Dance in 2024. It was a success, bringing the local community together for a night of fun festivities.
For those looking for a day trip or a travel stop along Route 66, the Round Barn of Arcadia is one not to miss. The barn is open locally from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Admission is free with a request for donations.
Many other historical markers in the area, such as the Richardson Building, Gower Memorial Cemetery, Washington Irving’s camp marker, and others, plus local nearby eateries such as Pops and the Chicken Shack help round out a unique day trip through Arcadia on historic Route 66.
Desiree Key is a student at Tulsa Community College and a contributing writer for The TCC Connection.
