Mail Pouch barns are historic barns painted between the years of 1890-1992. They were advertisement for the West Virginia Mail Pouch Chewing Tobacco Company in Wheeling. They can be found in at least twenty-eight states and as far west as California. Many are listed as a National Historic Landmark. They have been documented and given an ID number. I did some research today and found that “my barn” is numbered 48-54-02. Initially farmers were paid one to two dollars a year for the ads. I’d say that was awfully cheap advertisement for the tobacco company.I grew up seeing these scattered about the landscape growing up here in West Virginia. I know many are falling into disrepair or simply gone. Years ago when I lived in Virginia and came back for a Fourth of July holiday I even purchased a photo at a local arts and crafts fair. The photo used to hang in my den and is currently still packed in a box from my summer move.
I am fortunate to see the pictured barn on my trips into “town”. At the end of this Sunday’s afternoon drive I tried to snap the picture as best I could. Yes, while driving. Shhh....don't tell.
It sits on a hill and there’s no place to pull off. So not having time to find and get permission to enter the property and as I had to have one, this photo will have to do for now. It just seemed fitting that I should take it to go along with my other photos on Sunday’s little drive. As the weather warms and I find myself "on the road again" I hope I come across more of these old structures to (better) photograph and share.
Tomorrow's post will be a Wordless Wednesday photo of one of my finds and Thursday I'll introduce you to an animal I did not expect to find down a country road. Hope you continue to stop by as I unravel my thoughts about my Sunday afternoon on the road.
