The Barn Quilt Trail Today

Today, more than 73 barns proudly display Boonslick Barn Quilt blocks across Saline, Howard, and Cooper counties. These vibrant works of art dot the countryside, offering a unique way to experience rural Missouri.

One of the goals of the project is to support tourism, so all participating barns must be visible from a hard-surface road—making the trail easy and enjoyable to follow.

Sometimes barn owners reach out to request a quilt block. Other times, the Council discovers a barn that perfectly fits the trail and works with the owner to bring a new quilt to life.

Community Love & Support

The response from local residents and visitors alike has been overwhelmingly positive. Members often hear how much people enjoy seeing these colorful pieces of art woven into the rural landscape. The project has become a point of pride for the region.

The Boonslick Barn Quilt Project would not be possible without the generous support of valued partners, including:

• Missouri Arts Council

• Marshall Tourism

• Boonville Tourism

Their support helps ensure the continued growth and preservation of this unique cultural experience.

Why "Boonslick"?

The Boonslick region takes its name from an early 1800s salt lick operated by Nathan and Daniel Morgan Boone—sons of famed frontiersman Daniel Boone. The Boone brothers produced salt by boiling water from a saltwater spring and shipping it by keelboat along the Missouri River to St. Louis.

Over time, "Boonslick" became a term people used to describe the general direction of traveling west along the Missouri River—whether or not they ever reached the original salt lick. Today, the name reflects a region rich in history, tradition, and community pride.

Barn Quilts: A Tradition Re-imagined

Quilting came to the United States with early European settlers, with the earliest American quilts dating back to the 18th century. Barn quilts reimagine this long-standing tradition on a grand scale—transforming barns into outdoor art galleries.

Across rural America, barn quilt trails are helping draw attention to the beauty of historic barns at a time when many are endangered by age, changing farm technology, and development. In the Boonslick region, these quilts preserve stories, celebrate craftsmanship, and invite travelers to slow down and explore.