Mail Pouch Barns of West Virginia

The Mail Pouch barn is a true and enduring part of Americana. Mail Pouch painted barns and signs have been a part of the American and West Virginia landscape for over 100 years, but they are disappearing at a record pace. The Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company and Mail Pouch tobacco began in Wheeling, WV in the late 19th century. Wheeling is also the birthplace of the idea for using barns as advertising billboards.

Steve Shaluta has extensively researched old Mail Pouch records, crisscrossing the state in search of documenting these Mail Pouch advertising icons. The result is that he has found and recorded all of the remaining Mail Pouch barns and signs in West Virginia.

Therefore, sit back, relax and travel these back roads with Steve, taking a visual journey into the past and present. For the more adventurous type, use the provided directions to visit these locations yourself. Perhaps you can find a sign or two that Steve missed.