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  • MARK SCHLACHTENHAUFEN | THE EDMOND SUN The framework of a sign rises into the air just east of the historic Round Barn in Arcadia. MARK SCHLACHTENHAUFEN

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October 12, 2010

Arcadia residents rally to fight Round Barn-obscuring sign

Mark Schlachtenhaufen The Edmond Sun

Arcadia — ARCADIA — Things were pretty much like usual Monday in Arcadia at the Round Barn.

Visitors from around the world were taking tours, hearing stories told by Mr. Sam, looking at the historical items on the ground floor and at the loft upstairs where weddings, dances and other events have created warm memories for many area residents.

On Tuesday, unbeknown to members of the Arcadia Historical Society, a company erected a billboard sign post about 25 yards to the east of the famous landmark along Route 66.

Local residents protested, police arrived at the scene, work on the billboard halted, the billboard crew departed and at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 the issue will be heard by the Arcadia Town Council.

Linda Simonton, a trustee of the Arcadia Historical Society and acting secretary, said she was at the Round Barn on Monday, and everything seemed normal except for a few stakes near the work site. Simonton said she was aware of a dispute over ownership of the tiny patch of land on which the would-be sign was standing.

Tuesday morning, Simonton said, she got a call from a neighbor who told her the sign post was going up. Simonton arrived at the Round Barn at about 1 p.m. and saw the skeleton laid out on the ground, on Arcadia Historical Society property.

She said she called the Town of Arcadia and other members of the society who said they did not give permission for the land to be used for such a purpose. She inquired with the town asking if it had a sign ordinance, and was told there was none. Locals are also checking with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for guidance.

Tuesday afternoon, media outlets were alerted, including The Edmond Sun.

“It’s horrible,” Simonton said. “For anybody who cares about this place it’s a heartbreaker.”

Simonton said tourists like to stand on the other side of Route 66 and take photos of the Round Barn, which is now obstructed by the sign skeleton.

Area resident Andy Bensinger said he looked up the company that owned the property and determined that it is zoned residential. The town could say it is not a residential project, meaning the company would have to get a variance or get the land rezoned, Bensinger said.

Attempts to contact the property owner were unsuccessful Tuesday evening.

Bensinger said it appears the company was trying to slip in and put the billboard up in one day.

“The Round Barn is kind of really important around here,” he said. “That would block a lot of the view. I feel like they tried to sneak it in.”

Sam Gillaspy, otherwise known as Mr. Sam, said he was just sick about the whole thing.

“I can’t believe why they would want to block the view and ruin the most famous stop on all of Route 66,” he said. “A lot of people come here from all over the world.”

Molly Pace has lived in the area about 25 years and saw how the sign was blocking the view of the Round Barn.

“I hope the community comes together if there is a fight,” she said.

Mr. Sam said townspeople want the people of Oklahoma to help defend the Round Barn, help with legal advice, attend the Town Council meeting.



marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 108

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