Stop by for a Barn and Pop in Arcadia, OK
Although this is a Destinations article, Arcadia, OK, isn’t a destination. It’s not a place you specifically go to because—I’ll be honest with you—there’s not much to go to.
No, Arcadia is a place you stop by to grab lunch on your motorcycle tour of Route 66 before getting back on the road. That said, it’d be a hasty rider who motored on before visiting the eclectic collection of attractions around Arcadia.
Founded following the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889, Arcadia boasted three cotton mills and nearly 1,000 residents at its height in the early 1900s. However, a fire destroyed most of the town’s businesses in 1924, and Arcadia never recovered—not even with the help of the Mother Road.
One building in Arcadia has seen its rise and swift fall and continues to bear witness to modern travelers. The Arcadia Round Barn has stood in town since 1898.
Farmer William Harrison Odor constructed the distinctive building out of locally harvested bur oak. At the time, prevailing knowledge stated that round barns were less susceptible to collapsing in a tornado. So, Odor built his barn round, believing its shape would direct tornadoes around it, instead of through it.
There are no hard facts to back up this tornado-proof barn theory, but the trick must have worked because no tornado has torn the barn down. That said, after I-44 diverted traffic away from Arcadia, the barn fell into such disrepair that, in 1986, its entire roof caved in.
With community efforts, the beloved barn was restored in 1992. Today, the barn features a small museum exhibiting historical artifacts, alongside a gift shop.
Arcadia’s second claim to fame is significantly more modern than the Round Barn. We’re talking about Pops, a diner and gas station dedicated to soda—or pop, as it’s called.
You really can’t miss the place, courtesy of the ginormous, brightly-lit soda bottle sculpture out front. Although it’s a new build, it really wouldn’t be out of place on the historical Route 66. The building itself is also quite a fascinating thing to see, especially to fans of modern architecture.
Inside, you’ll find a collection of hundreds of different types of soda. If there’s an exotic flavor of sugar water you’ve been craving, you can find it here.
For some Route 66 history, motor west out of Arcadia on the road’s old alignment, and you’ll come by the ruin of the Rock-of-Ages Conoco gas station. This stone building was constructed at some point in the late 1910s. Come by to pay your respects to what remains of this Mother Road veteran.
On the way, you should also drop by OK County 66, otherwise known as John’s Place. This quirky little museum houses a lot of R66 memorabilia, from a reproduction of the Captain America motorcycle from Easy Rider to vintage signs and things much, much stranger.
Finally, if sitting in the saddle is getting to you, stretch your legs at Spring Creek Park on the shores of Arcadia Lake. At the park you’ll find walking trails, picnic tables, and even a disc golf course.
As I said, Arcadia isn’t a place anyone goes to on purpose. But if you roll by the town without stopping, you’ll miss out on a lot of Route 66 goodness.
Facts & Info
Nearby Attractions
- Arcadia Round Barn
- Pops
- John’s Place
- Historic Route 66 Gas Station
- Arcadia Lake
- Original Route 66 Section
Nearby Roads
Arcadia is a significant location for motorcycle riders, as it contains a section of the Mother Road with its original surface. That’s right—if you want to put your wheels on some historical pavement, this is the place to do it.
You’ll find the preserved mile-long section of Route 66 (labeled E Old Hwy 66 on maps) 1.5 miles west of Arcadia along SR 66. The western end of the road is at SR 66’s intersection with N Hiwassee Rd and the eastern end between John’s Place and the historical gas station ruin.
This strip of Route 66 actually features two different types of historical pavement. The eastern section features a simple (and cheap) pure concrete surface, laid down in 1928. This transitions into a 1929 Modified Bates Type surface, which features a two-inch-thick asphalt layer on top of a concrete bed.
You can easily spot the transition point between the pavement types—the surface with a crack running down the middle line is the 1928 concrete surface, while the one that doesn’t is 1929 asphalt. Ride carefully, though, as the pavement is nearly 100 years old and it shows.
Recommended Lodging
There are no accommodations in Arcadia, so you’ll have to venture out of town to find a place to lay your head. For a unique and luxurious stay, motor toward Oklahoma City until you arrive at Wangshi China Palace.
This Eastern-themed (but American-owned) bed-and-breakfast sets the tone with the complimentary glass of champagne waiting for you upon arrival. The rooms are large and impeccably appointed, some featuring hot tubs, private balconies, and patios. The five-acre property is surrounded by beautiful trees and features walking trails, a fire pit, yet another hot tub, a swimming pool, and more.
A delicious, hot breakfast gets you started on the day’s ride. There’s no on-site dining or restaurants within an easy walk, but that’s fine—Wangshi offers a limo service to drive you to the eatery of your choice.
Riders who prefer more down-to-earth (and, frankly, affordable) lodging can find it at the historical Lincoln Motel in Chandler. Built in 1939, it still offers basic but comfortable rooms for travelers on the Mother Road. You can’t miss it, what with the shining vintage neon sign and more-than-likely motorcycles out front.
Food & Dining
In Arcadia, you have exactly two options for lunch. The first is the aforementioned Pops. In addition to soda pop, it offers classic diner fare, from chicken-fried steak to burger, hot dogs, and breakfast. Find it at 660 SR 66, Arcadia, OK.
The second option is Chicken Shack. This small local chain restaurant with a homey ambiance serves—you guessed it—fried chicken cooked to crunchy, juicy, mouth-watering perfection. Find it at 212 SR 66, Arcadia, OK.
Should you be spending your night in Chandler at the Lincoln Motel, walk down the road to grab some grub at Route 66 Bowl. This cafe/bowling alley/arcade brims with the kind of kitschy Americana that makes Route 66 legendary. Find it at 920 E 1st St, Chandler, OK.
Best Time to Travel
Your visit to Arcadia should take place in early fall. First of all, the temperatures are nice and cool, and the region gets most of its rain in the summer, so you likely won’t need to break out your rain gear.
Second, late summer or early fall is when the Arcadia Festival and Rodeo take place. It’s worth timing your trip to coincide with the festivities, which features food, music, and reckless riding (of the horsey type).
Third, the area around Oklahoma City is among the country’s most tornado-prone regions, with most of the super powerful twisters hitting ground in spring and summer. Avoid the risk and ride in the fall.