A very large quilt pattern on a Monroe County, WV barn. (Click on image for larger photo).
Anyone who has spent time drive rural back roads has seen quilt blocks painted on barns. They are quite common in parts of West Virginia, and most states have them. When I first started seeing them a few years ago, I had no idea as to what they represented. I had a camera in the truck and took pictures anyway.
Quilt barns can be found in Amish communities, too. (Click on image for larger photo).
A little research showed that the barn quilts date back to about 2001, when a lady named Donna Sue Groves, in Adams County, Ohio, got the idea of honoring her mother, Maxine, a noted quilter, with a painted quilt block pattern on the family barn. The idea caught on in the community, and a “quilt trail” was born. Other areas with proud heritages in quilting and rural life adopted the idea, and now there are quilt trails in at least 43 states, and three in Canada.
A quilt block design on a barn near Lindside, Monroe County, WV. (Click on image for larger photo).A barn near Grassy Meadows, Greenbrier County, WV. (Click on image for larger photo).
A barn quilt near Greenville, Monroe County, WV. (Click on image for larger photo).
West Virginia has some of my favorites, and Monroe County has quite its share. The quilt blocks are often traditional designs that go back generations, and often hold special meaning to those who lovingly put them on the barns to share. Pr‌inted, as well as on-line resources can serve as guides for finding these treasures. They aren’t necessarily located conveniently on main roads, and are very often on back roads that most people will never drive without good reason.
The back road photographer doesn’t need a reason to drive these roads, other than the potential for finding a great subject to photograph. And, barn quilts serve this purpose well, whether found quite by accident, or on a planned venture.
Green Hill Cemetery dates back to the early days of Union, WV. (Click on image for larger photo).
A drive through Union, WV gives one clues that the small town is rich in history. It doesn’t take but a minute to get from one side of town to the other, as there’s no traffic lights or other hindrances. No fast food restaurants or big chain stores, either. However, you will find many homes, churches and businesses residing in antebellum structures from past glory days that survived the Civil War and the ravages of time.
Some 2,000 grave markers dot the hillside, from early, simple slabs roughly hewed out of local stone, to elaborate monuments of imported marble. Click on image for larger photo).
On a high point, at the east edge of town, is Green Hill Cemetery. It’s been there since the town’s early days, and overlooks the community and surrounding area. Some 2,000 grave markers dot the hillside, from early, simple slabs roughly hewed out of local stone, to elaborate monuments of imported marble.
A look north from the cemetery reveals a farm with a large Greek Revival style home, known as Elmwood Estate. It was built by Hugh Caperton sometime during the 1830s. His son, Allen, the first Confederate elected to the U.S. Senate after the Civil War, also made it his home. In 1864, some 10,000 Union troops, under the command of Gen. George Crook occuppied Union for five days. They looted the estate, as well as others in the area, and took what they wanted, leaving the fine home in a state of near ruin. Today, Elmwood serves as a wedding and events venue.
Elmwood Estate was looted by Union soldiers during the Civil War. Click on image for larger photo).Home of Confederate General John Echols. Click on image for larger photo).
The community had strong southern ties, and 13 confederate companies were formed in the county. Confederate General John Echols made his home just below the cemetery in another fine example of Greek Revival architecture. He practiced law there until the start of the war, when he was given command of the 27th Virginia Infantry, leading the regiment in the fighting at the First Battle of Manassas under Stonewall Jackson. A monument to Confederate soldiers was dedicated in 1901. It lies behind Union Presbyterian Church, which the current building was built in 1922.
Union has strong southern ties, The Confederate soldier memorial was dedicated in 1901. Click on image for larger photo).Monument to Monroe County Confederate Soldiers. Click on image for larger photo).
The Monroe County Courthouse dates to 1881. It’s built in a Romanesque style, and still serves the community’s municipal needs. There’s a number of churches, some dating to before the Civil War. One, just a couple of miles to the east of Union is Rehoboth Methodist Church, the oldest surviving protestant house of worship west of the Allegheny Mountains.
The Monroe County Courthouse was built in a Romanesque style popular in the 1880s. Click on image for larger photo).
Rehoboth Methodist Church was built in 1786 about two miles east of Union, and is the oldest church in West Virginia. Click on image for larger photo).
For such a small town, population around 600, and county seat of Monroe County, there’s a lot to see. I would suggest that anyone interested in history, photography, or just a diversion, to get out and visit. Walk the streets, visit the shops, and stop for lunch at one of several small town eateries. For photographers, a wide-angle lens is a must, and you’ll also want the range of a telephoto. A day with puffy, white clouds can’t be beat.
It was a somewhat typical spring day in southern West Virginia. Maybe a little cooler than normal, with blue skies. Then by mid-afternoon clouds started moving in. That was my signal to grab my camera bag and head to nearby Zenith, a small community at the base of Peter’s Mountain in Monroe County. I had been there with my camera before, in the fall and winter. But, spring called for more pictures, with fresh leaves and green grass.
The old Zenith general store. (Click on image for larger photo).Immediately across from the old store is this unusual old home, (Click on image for larger photo).
Zenith is a few miles off the main highway, and therefore quite rural. A narrow paved road is the only way in and out. As I turned on Zenith Road, a startled wild turkey flew across in front of the truck. The old general store, a grist mill, a church and volunteer fire department are the most obvious signs of the once lively community.
McClung’s Mill, Zenith, WV. This shot is from last fall. (Click on image for larger photo).Valley Baptist Church. Photo from last fall. (Click on image for larger photo).
There’s a number of older homes in the area, many of which have fallen into disuse and disrepair. Others still in use are quite striking, as the farm below with big white house and fence, at the base of the mountain.
West Virginia farm at base of Peter’s Mountain. (Click on image for larger photo).
A barn on the farm at the base of Peter’s Mountain. (Click on image for larger photo).
The old mill is the most unusual survivor of the community. McClung’s Mill, with its huge overshot wheel, was moved to it’s present location in the early 1900’s from nearby Craig County, Virginia. It was used continuously for grinding grain through the 1960s.
An old home with a neatly mowed lawn, Zenith, WV, (Click on image for larger photo).
The old Zenith Valley Volunteer Fire Department. (Click on image for larger photo).
We were there only a short time before the clouds started to move off in the distance. But, I got what I came for, fresh pictures recording a spring afternoon. I’ll be back to Zenith. It’s a small piece of West Virginia history, and a worthy diversion for the back road photographer or historian.
