A 501c6 Non-Profit Organization
GROUP TOUR GUIDED BARN MURAL TRAIL
Guided Historic Barn Mural Trail
Sandusky County is the home of the historic barn mural trail and each of our barns come with a story. Hear those untold stories by our group tour step-on guide. This 1.5 hour experience winds through rural Sandusky County, and your group will hear the meaning and inspiration behind each mural's design.
These beautiful murals were made possible from the multiple corporate and private donors who have partnered with us to make it all possible. Our barn trail is growing each year as we secure barn locations and design a historical scene to paint on each barn. Most of the Sandusky County Barn Murals were designed by David Thornbury, a graphic designer/marketing director for the Visitors Bureau. Our first barn was painted just prior to 2003 to commemorate Ohio's Bicentennial. Our newest barn was secured in 2019 and was designed to commemorate Sandusky County's Bicentennial.
DRIVING THE BARN TRAIL AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Sandusky County Historic Barn Mural Driving Trail is just under 40 miles and takes about an hour to travel from start to finish. The trail takes you throughout Sandusky County winding along rural country roads that provide breathtaking country landscapes to take in along the way. When driving the trail please be aware to observe local traffic safety laws as well as to respect the property owners by not trespassing on private property without permission. These barns are meant to be enjoyed in passing and we hope that along the way you stumble upon one of our local restaurants or downtown districts to take in a little small-town shopping. Our communities are all safe, welcoming and we look forward to seeing you along the trail!
Getting Started:
We highly recommend that you stop at the Sandusky County Convention & Visitors Bureau to pick up our Trail maps. Our office just happens to be located just across the street from the Fairgrounds where the first barn is located.
We are open Monday - Friday 8-4 p.m.
Thank you to our Sponsors:
BARN TRAIL NAVIGATION
LOCATION #1
Driving Tour Directions Start: Sandusky County Fairgrounds, use North Street entrance, drive to rear of the fairgrounds.
Ohio Bicentennial Barn
(Click Start for Google Maps Turn by Turn)
Sandusky County Fairgrounds,
901 Rawson Avenue
Fremont, Ohio 43420
ADDRESS:
Painted prior to 2003 to commemorate the Ohio Bicentennial, this was the first of the county’s historic barn murals painted by Scott Hagan, “The Barn Artist. This barn is located on the south side of the Sandusky County Fairgrounds and can be seen most days during the daylight hours. Gates open most days unless the grounds are closed for an event. Condition of the mural is weathered and may be repainted in the near future.
The Sandusky County Convention & Visitors Bureau would like to thank our Historic Barn Trail Sponsors listed below. Through their generous donations this barn mural trail was made possible.
CONTINUING TO BARN #2:
TURN LEFT onto North Street exiting the Fairgrounds (North Street Entrance) and proceed to stoplight (Right Turn Lane) at the intersection of North Street and Rawson Avenue (SR 53). TURN RIGHT at the light and continue on (SR 53) to (US 20) West towards Toledo Highways ramp, TURN LEFT. Continue on (US 20) West, stay to the right at the split with (US 6, SR 53) South. Just past mile marker 19 and (CR 106) you will see the barn to your right. Time from Start: 8 Minutes, 6 Miles.
Sandusky County Bicentennial Barn
(Click Start for Google Maps Turn by Turn)
ADDRESS:
Sandusky County Bicentennial Barn
4246 West State Route 20
Fremont, Ohio 43420
Completed in the spring of 2019, the Sandusky County Bicentennial barn mural was painted just before Sandusky County officially celebrated our county’s bicentennial in 2020. The barn was painted by Scott Hagan, “The Barn Artist. This barn is located on State Route 20 West and can be seen from east and westbound traffic since the barn has a mural on both sides. This barn is our latest addition to our trail and one side was sponsored by the Terra College Foundation and the other was sponsored by Terra State Community College.
CONTINUING TO BARN #3:
Continue on (US 20) West towards Woodville/Toledo for 8.4 miles and just past the 4 mile marker, you will see the barn to your right. Immediately after passing the barn, prepare to TURN LEFT in .6 miles on Anderson Road (CR 32). Time from Start: 17 Minutes, 14.4 Miles.
Astronaut Tom Henricks Barn
(Click Start for Google Maps Turn by Turn)
ADDRESS:
Astronaut Tom Henricks Barn
770 East Main Street,
Woodville, Ohio 43469
Completed in the spring of 2018, this barn was designed and dedicated to honor four time NASA shuttle astronaut Colonel Tom Henricks, a Woodville, Ohio native. The barn was painted by Scott Hagan, “The Barn Artist. This barn is located on State Route 20 east of Woodville and can be seen when traveling in the westbound lane. This barn was sponsored by Martin Marietta.
CONTINUING TO BARN #4:
After turning, CONTINUE on Anderson Road (CR 32) for approximately 5 miles to the stop sign at the intersection of (SR 600) and Anderson Road (CR 32). CONTINUE straight on Anderson Road (CR 32) and the barn is immediately to your right and should be visible from the intersection. Time from Start: 22 Minutes, 19.4 Miles.
9/11 - PSSM Barn
(Click GO for Google Maps Turn by Turn)
ADDRESS:
9/11 - PSSM Barn
1524 County Road 32
Gibsonburg, Ohio 43431
Completed in September of 2017, this barn was designed and dedicated to honor two Sandusky County Residents that died on 9/11. There is also an element to honor the Public Safety Service men and women who risk their lives to keep us safe. The barn was painted by Scott Hagan, “The Barn Artist. This barn is located County Road 32 (Anderson Rd). Barn was sponsored by an anonymous donor.
CONTINUING TO BARN #5:
CONTINUE on Anderson Road (CR 32) for approximately 2.8 miles to the stop sign at the intersection of (US 6) and Anderson Road (CR 32). TURN LEFT and follow (US 6) East 9.8 miles to the stop light at the intersection of (SR 53) and TURN LEFT continuing on (SR 53 & US 6) 1.3 miles and TURN RIGHT on Muskellunge Road, just past the round-about. At the stop sign at the intersection of West State Street and Muskellunge, CONTINUE straight through the intersection. Muskellunge becomes Christy Road, barn will be on the hillside to your left, just after the sharp left curve. Time from Start: 42 Minutes, 35 Miles.
Battle of Fort Stephenson Barn
(Click GO for Google Maps Turn by Turn)
ADDRESS:
Battle of Fort Stephenson Barn
2000 Christy Road
Fremont, Ohio 43420
Completed in September of 2017, this barn was designed to commemorate and depict the historic battle that took place in what is now Fremont during the War of 1812. The battle against the invading British was won by Major George Croghan with the help of his trusty cannon “Old Betsy” that can be seen in this mural design. The barn was painted by Scott Hagan, “The Barn Artist. This barn is located on Christy Road and was sponsored by Fremont Federal Credit Union.
CONTINUING TO BARN #6:
CONTINUE on Christy Road for approximately 1 mile to the stop sign at the intersection of (SR 19) and Christy Road, TURN LEFT and follow (SR 19) North 2.2 miles and TURN RIGHT on Zienta-Horn Road, just after passing under the Ohio Turnpike overpass. CONTINUE on Zienta-Horn Road for .6 miles and TURN RIGHT on Fangboner Road. Shortly after you turn, you will see the barn directly in front of you from a distance. Continue on Fangboner Road passing over the overpass over the Ohio Turnpike, barn is to your left. Time from Start: 49 Minutes, 39.7 Miles.
Rutherford B. Hayes Barn
(Click GO for Google Maps Turn by Turn)
ADDRESS:
Rutherford B. Hayes Barn
3265 Fangboner Road
Fremont, Ohio 43420
Completed in late 2015, the Rutherford B. Hayes barn was painted to commemorate our 19th President’s entrepreneurial spirit. A quote taken directly from the diary of Hayes is painted on the side of the barn, “The Bold Enterprises are the Successful Ones.” The barn was painted by Scott Hagan, “The Barn Artist. The mural faces north, toward the turnpike just east of the Fangboner Road overpass and was sponsored by the Ohio History Connection and the Ohio Turnpike Commission.
Historic Barn Trail Gallery
Additional Information and Maps
The Historic Barn Mural Trail is a self-guided, driving tour that takes you through the Sandusky County countryside where you will see 6 of our beautiful century barns painted with murals that depict history from our local area.
We are located:
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30 minutes from the Lake Erie Island Ferry in Downtown Port Clinton
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35 minutes to Cedar Point Amusement Park
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60 minutes from downtown Toledo
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82 minutes from downtown Cleveland
Downloadable PDF Information Sheet about Barn Trail
712 North Street, Fremont, Ohio 43420 | 419-332-4470 or toll free 800-255-8070 | Fax 419-332-4359