America's Biggest Road Trip 31 May 2003

	America's Biggest Road Trip!
	Route 66 Caravan Road Log: May 31, 2003


	Arcadia, Oklahoma

The Round Barn

		In the spring of 1898 William Harrison Odor, members of his family and his neighbors starting building a unique structure in the green countryside of Oklahoma. Little did they know at the time that the barn they were building would become a landmark on one of the most celebrated highways in America.
				This was the beginning of what would become know as Arcadia’s Round Barn. The circular form of the barn presented special problems, Odor figured that each rafter would have to be green lumber and soaked in water. The rafter was then shaped in a special jig to form the exact curve of the roof.

		Odor’s critics said the barn couldn’t be built, but he persevered to create the architectural wonder seen today. When the barn was new the lower level was used to shelter cattle, mules and hay. The upper level or loft was used for barn dances and other social gatherings. After years of hard use and then neglect the barn was in bad shape by the 1980s.

				In 1988 the barn was donated to the Arcadia Historical and Preservation Society in an effort to save it. The Society believed it was an important part of Oklahoma history and every means should be made to save it.

		Luther Robinson, a retired building contractor from Oklahoma City, was up to the task of restoration and he saved the Round Barn with the help of the volunteer group known as the over-the-hill-gang (most were over 65 years of age). Due to the efforts of Luther and his volunteers the Old Round Barn still stands as a roadside attraction along old Route 66.


		The Round Barn dominates the town of Arcadia.		Downtown Arcadia offers many photo opportunities.
		Round Barn Roadside Attraction Sign


		Butch Breger runs the gift shop and acts as caretaker. His friend Perry Rogers (right) worked on restoration of the barn as a member of the over-the-hill-gang.		Butch and Perry joke with Jim. Butch says you can rent the Round Barn for parties, meetings and family reunions - everything in fact except SQUARE dances.

		Hillbillee's Cafe and Bed & Breakfast
				The Hillbillee's has been an institution in Arcadia for many years. In fact it once was the Route 66 Gas Station, Cafe and Motor Inn. Jim claims that he heard that in the early days you could rent a room for the night that came complete with a companion if so desired. Now I'm not too sure about that, but it is an intriguing idea.

		Norma Braxten bought the Hillbillee's Cafe in 1989. She and her husband have since turned the old rooms of the motor inn into a bed and breakfast.

				Look closely at this old weathered Hillbillee's sign ~ maybe Jim heard right.

		The bed and breakfast has a distinctly western feel to it. It really looks like a fun place to spend the night.

		*Previous Log*	Road Log pages read like a book: Follow the Route 66 Caravan down the Mother Road ~ select the Route 66 direction you would like to go.		Seaba Station




	66 Caravan Web Site Written, Photographed & Designed by Guy Randall

© 2003 Design and Updates by GRandall Web Design