Oklahoma Route 66 - Round Barn

     The Round Barn of Arcadia was built in 1898 with tornadoes in mind, hence the round shape thought to offer some protection from Oklahoma's stormy weather. The barn never was knocked down by a storm, but it had deteriorated quite a bit anyway by the late 1980's. (See the "before" photo above that hangs today inside the barn.) It was wonderfully restored by a group of local retirees in 1992, no easy task as the old place is 45 feet high and 60 feet in diameter, with a second story inside. The curved indoor planks of the restored roof is an amazing site, and I just did not have the photographic equipment to do it justice. (The photo here is just a grainy point & shoot.) You'll have to go inside and see it for yourself.
     As impressive and colorful as the barn was for me, the best part of my visit was meeting Mr. Sam Gillaspy, a lifelong resident of Arcadia (bottom). 81 years old at the time, Sam led me on an informative tour of both floors of the structure, but I enjoyed even more hearing about life on Sam's nearby farm. It was something quite alien and fascinating to someone who hails from the suburbs of New Jersey, and this is why we travel, isn't it?  I live in a town of 30,000 people and don't know most of them, including the people on my own block. That's why I found it enchanting to hear about the barn dances that were held here in Arcadia, events that brought together a community to celebrate and enjoy life together. To bring your best girl and to show her off in such a setting as this, that must engender a simple and homey pleasure that most of us modern city folk will never know. Log Book: 832 miles motored on old 66.