Lodging

Vinton County Quilt Barns

All across the Appalachian hillsides, visitors to the region are catching a glimpse of old-time tradition blending with an innovative idea from one of its own native daughters – large wooden quilt signs, hand-painted and placed on local barns.

Quilting has long been a tradition, passed down from mother to daughter, generation after generation allowing both artistic talent and care to pour through their fingertips to create beautifully designed comforters for family and friends. Just as quilting was used as a get-together for residents in the community, the wooden barn squares in Vinton County have reflected this cultural practice. It has become both a family and community event -area groups volunteering both time and effort to paint the quilt barn squares and place them on area barns.

This “imaginary clothesline” that began in Adams County, Ohio now connects barns just like those in Vinton County across Ohio and other states to become the National Quilt Barn Trail.

Vinton County has six quilt barns completed. We aspire to have twenty quilt squares draped across the landscape. Our quilt squares all have been painted by volunteers from the community and have been hung on the barns by volunteers from Sojourner’s Care Network. Seed funding was provided by the Yellowroot Fund.

 

Quilt Barn Printable Brochure

Basket Weave—29457 Goosecreek Rd. - From McArthur (intersection of Main Street and Market Street), follow Route 50 West of McArthur 7.9 miles. Turn right onto Goosecreek Road (County Road 18). Follow Goosecreek Road 3.3 miles. The barn is located on the left.

Turkey Tracks—627 South Market Street, McArthur - This quilt square was painted by visitors to the Vinton County Wild Turkey Festival. Even two members of the country music band Confederate Railroad got in on the act. From McArthur (intersection of Main Street and Market Street), take Route 93 south to the outskirts of town .6 miles. The barn is located on the right side of the road.

Located on the grounds of ReUse Industries, a public business. From McArthur, follow Route 50 east 10.9 miles. ReUse is located on the left side of the road.
Take Route 93 north of town 1.5 miles. Barn is located on the Vinton County Fairgrounds on the left side of the road. While there, be sure to visit the Bay Covered Bridge.

Follow the Drinking Gourd — 1 Yankee Rd., Wilkesville  This barn, located in the heart of Wilkesville, sits on a farm that was once part of the Underground Railroad.  It is believed that quilt patterns were used as code for escaped slaves. The drinking gourd is a reference to the North Star and is believed to advise travelers to follow that navigational beacon toward freedom.  This farm also has historical significance as it was an overnight stop for Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan during his infamous raid through Ohio. The pattern was painted by reenactors and other visitors who attended the Morgan’s Raid reenactment Wilkesville in 2006.  From McArthur, follow St. Rt. 93 south to St. Rt. 160 in Hamden. Follow St. Rt. 160 south to Wilkesville. The barn faces St. Rt. 160 at the intersection of St. Rt. 124.

Farm Friendliness — 27384 St. Rt. 328 This lovely farm has been owned by the same family for five generations. The barn that features the quilt pattern was noted on the deed at the time the farm was purchased in 1833. The barn was originally built on the ground but was raised onto a sandstone foundation around the turn of the Twentieth Century. This pattern was painted by members of Vinton County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau Board of Trustees. From McArthur, follow St. Rt. 93 north. Turn right on St. Rt. 328. The barn is located on the right.

Vinton County Quilt Barns:

Basket Weave—29457 Goosecreek Rd.

 

This 100 year old barn is set in a picturesque valley at the former site of Royal, Ohio. It is near the Mt. Olive Covered Bridge and was painted by Sojourners Care Network. From McArthur, follow Route 50 West of McArthur. Turn right onto Curry Road. Follow Curry Road to the stop sign and turn left onto Goosecreek Road. The barn is located on the right. Note: To visit the Mt. Olive Bridge, follow Goosecreek Road to Mt. Olive Road. The bridge is located on the left side of the road.

 

 


Turkey Tracks—627 South Market Street, McArthur

 

 

This quilt square was painted by visitors to the Vinton County Wild Turkey Festival. Even two members of the country music band Confederate Railroad got in on the act. From McArthur (intersection of Main Street and Market Street), take Route 93 south to the outskirts of town .6 miles. The barn is located on the right side of the road.

 


V-Block — 74815 U.S. Highway 50

 

 

 

‘V’ is for Vinton County! This quilt square was painted by members of the Zaleski Super Kids 4-H Club and is located on the grounds of ReUse Industries, a public business. From McArthur, follow Route 50 east 10.9 miles. ReUse is located on the left side of the road.

 

 


Summer Winds—31935 St. Rt. 93 North, McArthur

 

 

This structure is the Exhibition Building on the Vinton County Fairgrounds, an agricultural hub for Vinton County. This quilt square was painted by the Vinton County Senior Citizens. Take Route 93 north of town 1.5 miles. Barn is located on the Vinton County Fairgrounds on the left side of the road. While there, be sure to visit the Bay Covered Bridge.


 This barn, located in the heart of Wilkesville, sits on a farm that was once part of the Underground Railroad.  It is believed that quilt patterns were used as code for escaped slaves. The drinking gourd is a reference to the North Star and is believed to advise travelers to follow that navigational beacon toward freedom.  This farm also has historical significance as it was an overnight stop for Confederate Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan during his infamous raid through Ohio. The pattern was painted by reenactors and other visitors who attended the Morgan’s Raid reenactment Wilkesville in 2006.  From McArthur, follow St. Rt. 93 south to St. Rt. 160 in Hamden. Follow St. Rt. 160 south to Wilkesville.


 

 

This lovely farm has been owned by the same family for five generations. The barn that features the quilt pattern was noted on the deed at the time the farm was purchased in 1833. The barn was originally built on the ground but was raised onto a sandstone foundation around the turn of the Twentieth Century. This pattern was painted by members of Vinton County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau Board of Trustees.

Vinton County. We're just off the beaten path from wherever you're coming from or from wherever you're going. For every taste, we have an adventure waiting for you-lodging, dining, shopping and the great outdoors of Vinton County.

 

Lodging | Dining | Gift Shops | Local Services | The Outdoors | Covered Bridges| Quilt Barns | The Past

Calendar of Events | Lake Hope Bike Trail | Lake Hope Driving Tour | Map/Directions |

 Turkey Festival  | Photo Contest | Zaleski Backpack Trail | Ridgetop Festival |

Vinton County Air Show | Site Map

Vinton County Convention and Visitors Bureau

104 West Main Street

McArthur, Ohio   45651

(800) 596-4459  (740) 596-5033   info@vintoncounty.com

 

Unique lodging, covered bridges and miles of parks and forests make Vinton County an extra special place to visit. Once a huge part of the iron producing industry, the only remaining reflections of this past are a handful of iron furnace remnants, an allegedly haunted train tunnel and a few ghost towns nearly hidden beneath the tall grass. Instead of urban sprawl of the mid-1800's, the region has transformed itself over the last 150 years into a wonderland of outdoor recreation. There are over 70 miles of public trails for hiking, horseback riding and backpacking. There are beaches, gift shops, small towns and covered bridges. It's a place just off the beaten path of both time and highway. It's Vinton County, Ohio.

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