round barn

The Round Barn in Arcadia, Oklahoma has been a center of community activity and curiosity for over a century. Built in 1898, the barn is 60 feet in diameter and 43 feet high with a local red Permian rock foundation. Local burr oak timbers were soaked in water until soft and then banded into the mold to create the rafters.  

When U.S. Highway 66 came through Arcadia in 1928, travelers along the Mother Road were only a stone’s throw from the architectural curiosity. The barn quickly became a Route 66 landmark.

U.S. Route 66, colloquially known as the Main Street of America or the Mother Road, was one of the original highways within the U.S. Highway System. Established on November 11, 1926, the highway became one of the most famous roads in America. covering a total of 2,448 miles. It was recognized in popular culture by both the hit song "Get Your Kicks on Route 66" and the Route 66 television show in the 1960s.

Route 66 comes through Oklahoma City on its way from Chicago to California. In some spots it has been taken over by the interstate system. Oklahoma has the longest stretch of original road left. This past weekend we started our exploration of this historic route.