The Mail Pouch Barn at Barkcamp State Park that was painted by the late Belmont resident Harley Warrick is one of the two Belmont County locations selected by the America 250 Ohio Commission to be a part of its spring tourism trail.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The National Imperial Glass Museum in Bellaire and the Mail Pouch Barn at Barkcamp State Park were both selected by the America 250 Ohio Commission to be a part of its spring tourism trail.

“This trail theme is all around creativity and different ways that Ohio has impacted the arts. And that includes music, poetry, writing, visual arts, illustration, folk art and glass and ceramics. So it’s kind of all encompassing fine art,” Belmont County Tourism Director Jackee Pugh said.

She added that the commission announced it would be accepting nominations from all of the counties in Ohio and selecting the submissions that best fit its vision for the trail. She said she was surprised but thrilled to be informed that not only were both locations submitted but chosen to be included on the trail.

“It’s awesome for Belmont County to be included, and it definitely helps bring light and notoriety to some of the great things that we have in the county,” Pugh said. “When we’re included in these statewide trails, people can complete the trail at their leisure, and it gives them an option to come to our area of the state and then when they’re here, we hope that they explore and do other things like go out to eat and see all of the great offerings and businesses that we have in the county.”

She said the Imperial Glass Museum is a beautiful facility dedicated to the legacy of Imperial Glass. She added that Bellaire’s nickname at one time was “Glass City” because of how crucial Imperial Glass was to the economy of the village.

“So the glass industry played a really big part in building up that region. And the Imperial Glass Museum is a beautiful example of paying homage to that history and what it meant to the valley,” Pugh said. “Imperial produced exquisite pressed glass patterns, and its craftsmanship was recognized worldwide. For over 20 years, the National Imperial Glass Museum has preserved the company’s legacy, showcasing its designs and skilled artisans.”

The second inclusion on the trail is the Mail Pouch Barn that is inside of Barkcamp State Park.

The late Harley Warrick, a Belmont County native and ville of Belmont resident, rose to fame in the early 1960s by painting advertisements for Bloch Brothers Tobacco Co.’s Mail Pouch chewing tobacco on the exterior of barns located near roads. Throughout the advertising campaign, Mail Pouch Barns could be seen across 22 states promoting the Wheeling-based company. Many of those barns have fallen into disrepair or been demolished.

Warrick touched up the painting on the Barkcamp barn himself as recently as 2000, just a few weeks before he died.

“The fact that not only do we have that cool piece of history with his barn painting, but he was from here as well and really had a unique craft that he was able to share with the world,” Pugh said.

“Our region has a deep and lasting connection to creativity — from the world-renowned glass craftsmanship in Bellaire to the folk art legacy of Harley Warrick. It’s exciting to see these contributions recognized on a statewide platform that will bring more visitors to experience the unique stories of Belmont County.”