Road trip on Route 66 to Arcadia, Oklahoma



Arcadia on Route 66 in Oklahoma

Historic Route 66 in OklahomaVintage postcard showing the location of Route 66 across Oklahoma

As Route 66 left Joplin, Missouri, it was only a short distance westbound thru extreme southeast Kansas to the Oklahoma border. It quickly entered Commerce, and headed southwest through Miami, Afton, Chelsea, Claremore and Tulsa. The road continued west through Sapulpa, Davenport, Chandler and into Arcadia east of Oklahoma City.

Arcadia is located 15 miles North of Oklahoma City on Historic Route 66. It is 6 miles East of Interstate 35 (Exit #141). The history of Arcadia dates back to the late 1800s.

While Arcadia may be a small town, it has a huge claim to fame as a Route 66 hot spot not far from Oklahoma City. Travelers up and down the Mother Road make it a point to stop at the architecturally significant Round Barn and John's Place just minutes away from each other in Arcadia.

Map of Historic Route 66 showing the location of Arcadia between Chandler and Oklahoma City
Map of Historic Route 66 showing the location of Arcadia between Chandler and Oklahoma City

 

Arcadia Round Barn

The Round Barn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is more than a century old. It was built by local farmer William Harrison Odor in 1898 using native bur oak boards soaked while green and forced into the curves needed for the walls and roof rafters. The Arcadia Round Barn is 60 feet (18 meters) in diameter and 43 feet (13 meters) tall.

Over the years the barn fell into disrepair. Luke Robison, a retired builder and carpenter, became aware of the barn’s plight and formed The Arcadia Historical and Preservation Society with his wife Anna and Beverly White. On May 27, 1988 Frank Vrana's descendants donated the barn to the Society. Restoration work began in 1989. Much of the labor was performed by volunteers, mostly retirees like Robison, who called themselves the Over-the-Hill Gang. When it came time to reconstruct the roof, Robison’s crew replicated the same process believed to have been used by William Odor.

Today, it is the only round barn on Route 66. Admission is free. Exhibits and a gift shop are located inside. Outdoor displays consist of primitive farm implements. The beautiful upstairs loft can be reserved for special events.

It is located 6 miles east of Interstate 35 on Route 66. The physical address is 107 E Highway 66 Arcadia, OK 73007

Arcadia Round Barn website ... phone 405.396.0824

Oklahoma's iconic Route 66 landmark to get a historical revamp thanks to new grant
Fox25 Oklahoma City - 11/13/2023

 

The Arcadia Round Barn, on Historic Route 66 in Arcadia, Oklahoma
Inside the Arcadia Round Barn
Inside the Arcadia Round Barn on Route 66 in Oklahoma
Route 66 Roadside Attraction: Arcadia Round Barn
Route 66 Roadside Attraction: The Round Barn in Arcadia, Oklahoma
Some of the many exhibit areas inside the Round Barn
Exhibit area inside the Arcadia Round Barn on Route 66 in Oklahoma Exhibit area inside the Arcadia Round Barn on Route 66 in Oklahoma
Near the Round Barn ... The Historic Richardson Building, since 1923, in Arcadia
The Historic Richardson Building, since 1923, in Arcadia, Oklahoma


John's Place

While in Arcadia, you don't want to miss John Hargrove's OK County 66 Place at 13441 E. Highway 66. It has soooo much Route 66 memorabilia, artifacts, cars, bikes, signs, antiques, and miniature models of many Mother Road attractions. He even has a replica of the Catoosa Blue Whale on his pond!

John Hargrove's OK County 66 Place in Arcadia, Oklahoma

John Hargrove's OK County 66 Place in Arcadia, Oklahoma John Hargrove's OK County 66 Place in Arcadia, Oklahoma

Pops 66 in Arcadia features a 66-foot tall soda bottle sculpture, diner, gas station, and tons of sodas! POPS has a sleek modern design and serves over 600 different types of soda.

Pops 66 in Arcadia, Oklahoma



Ruins of a 1920s gas station about 3 miles east of Arcadia on Route 66
Ruins of a 1920s gas station about 3 miles east of Arcadia, Oklahoma on Route 66 Ruins of a 1920s gas station about 3 miles east of Arcadia, Oklahoma on Route 66

Interactive Map of Arcadia, Oklahoma


MORE OKLAHOMA ROUTE 66

Route 66 Road Trips Across Oklahoma

Route 66 road trip to Miami, Oklahoma Route 66 road trip to Chelsea, Oklahoma Route 66 road trip to Catoosa, Oklahoma
Route 66 road trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma Route 66 road trip to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Route 66 road trip to Chandler, Oklahoma
Route 66 road trip to Yukon, Oklahoma Route 66 road trip to Weatherford, Oklahoma Route 66 road trip to Clinton, Oklahoma
Route 66 road trip to Elk City, Oklahoma Route 66 road trip to Sapulpa, Oklahoma Route 66 road trip to Erick, Oklahoma
Route 66 road trip to El Reno, Oklahoma Route 66 Road Trip to Vinita, Oklahoma Route 66 Road Trip to Arcadia, Oklahoma
  Route 66 Road Trip to Claremore, Oklahoma


More About Travel in Oklahoma

More Things to Do on Route 66 - at the Oklahoma Tourism Department

Oklahoma Route 66 Passport

The Official Oklahoma Route 66 Passport

The Oklahoma Route 66 Passport from the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department helps Route 66 travelers find new destinations to explore and document their progress along the way. A new updated passport (yellow) is being offered beginning in 2023.

The Route 66 Passport, which is available free at TravelOK.com, features 66 of the state’s memorable Mother Road attractions. It includes iconic stops like Catoosa’s Blue Whale, Stroud’s Rock Cafe and Clinton’s Oklahoma Route 66 Museum along with many newer favorites.

Get your passport stamped at each stop, then take it to a Tourism Information Center to be verified and earn an exclusive Route 66 coin.

Both the new yellow and previous red Route 66 Passports are now available in a digital format. Download the official TravelOK Trip Planner app on the Apple App Store or Google Play to get started. When you get to each stop, you'll find a code displayed that you can enter to digitally check in.


Travel Guides for Other States Along Route 66

Planning a Road Trip on Route 66? Here are trip planners for all eight states on The Mother Road ...

Route 66 Road Trips in Illinois Route 66 in Missouri Route 66 in Kansas Route 66 Road Trips Across Oklahoma
Route 66 in Texas Route 66 Across New Mexico Route 66 Across Arizona Route 66 Across California