Where to Find the Best Barn Quilts in Calhoun County
The Calhoun County Barn Quilt Project began in 2008 as a community-based effort to promote and preserve the agricultural and rural heritage of Calhoun County. The county’s unique geography lends itself to agritourism, and the project is geared to stimulate the economy without sacrificing the natural beauty and rich heritage our residents cherish.
The quilts and barns represent the women and men who settled this county. Many of the present residents are direct descendants. The outdoor paintings are huge quilt blocks, hand-painted, usually from an original quilt owned by a family or a selected block inspired by a family member or event. Local artists and volunteers created the quilt blocks making the project a community effort.
![](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/IMG_0117_edited_2_9711b7af-b95e-49ae-a081-45e054bad428.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=ec429c4973b6a1d562a1d9f664710607 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/IMG_0117_edited_2_9711b7af-b95e-49ae-a081-45e054bad428.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=3a27e07c683e6534c9a553f90b76fecd 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/IMG_0117_edited_2_9711b7af-b95e-49ae-a081-45e054bad428.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=85a0eb074d97805dcd8b591906712eb4 700w)
Calhoun County holds many family-owned farms with barns that are a century old or older. The Barn Quilt Project hopes to promote an awareness of these barns and prevent their disappearance from our landscape. Each barn has a unique appearance, history, and purpose.
Traveling through Calhoun County, eighty-two quilt blocks created by volunteers involved with the Barn Quilt Project are visible on barns and businesses. Other, privately created, are also displayed throughout the county.
![](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/IMG_0162_edited_1_bd57fa53-e06d-46af-94dd-1e5fe0bb9ee9.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=fef7b0cd9b942059ea90fa10f7539d83 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/IMG_0162_edited_1_bd57fa53-e06d-46af-94dd-1e5fe0bb9ee9.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=028c6eac8e79ff9b8dcbbb99ab26bf5b 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/IMG_0162_edited_1_bd57fa53-e06d-46af-94dd-1e5fe0bb9ee9.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=ac8b4e1a73d3554e0b16a6b819a430b7 700w)
While the Barn Quilt Tour can be used as a year-round self-guided tour. Visitors are asked to please be respectful of private property and remain on public roads where barn quilts are visible.
For more information on the Calhoun County "Quilts, Barns & More Tour" please contact the Calhoun Visitors Center at (618) 883-2032 or contact Terry and Robbie Strauch at (618) 232-1268.
Download your Calhoun County Barn Quilt Map here!