The historic Round Barn in Arcadia, Okla., will mark the 20th anniversary of its restoration on April 14 with a celebration, reported The Oklahoman newspaper.
Apparently details is still being worked out. But live music is certain, as the second floor of the barn has hosted dances for decades. The barn’s first owner, William Odor, was reputedly persuaded by field hands to use the barn for dances instead of hay storage.
According to The Oklahoman:
The restoration of the Round Barn, on the National Register of Historic Places since 1977, has helped keep Arcadia on the Route 66 map, said Linda Simonton, an Arcadia Historical and Preservation Society trustee.
Its popularity as a tourist stop is a testament to “the importance of the historic structure and the historic nature of this town, and the importance of preserving it,” she said. “We had 31,000 to 32,000 tourists that signed in through here last year. … We get tourists from all over the world, and they’re looking at history, following the westward expansion on Route 66.”
The report also says the Round Barn has benefited from the close proximity to the Pops restaurant and convenience store, and vice versa.
The Round Barn probably wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the efforts of Luke Robinson. The barn’s ceiling had collapsed in 1988, and he and his group of volunteers, Over-the-Hill Gang, restored the structure by 1992 for less than one-half for what the cost was initially estimated.
Happy Anniversary to the Over the Hill Gang and all other Round Barn volunteers. It strikes me that these supporters quite literally “supported” the Barn when they saved it from collapse. The restoration wasn’t a one time effort. Repair and refurbishment seems to be routine there. Well done, Arcadians.