CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A long-hidden piece of Chillicothe history is set to be restored after being uncovered on the side of Machinery Hall in downtown Chillicothe.
The mural, advertising Mail Pouch Chewing Tobacco, dates back to a once-common form of American advertising that spanned generations. Mail Pouch Tobacco, produced by the Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company beginning in 1879, became nationally recognized for its iconic barn and wall paintings.
According to a recent announcement from The Pour House at Machinery Hall, the mural will be restored and illuminated for public viewing
From the late 1800s through 1992, the company painted more than 20,000 barns and buildings across 22 states, including many throughout Ohio and the Midwest. Farmers were often offered free paint and small payments in exchange for allowing the advertisements, making the program both widespread and long-lasting.
The mural uncovered in Chillicothe reflects that era and serves as a reminder of the region’s Appalachian roots and working-class history.
With support from the Ohio History Connection and local partners, the mural is expected to undergo a full restoration by June. Plans also include lighting the mural so it can be viewed both day and night.
Community leaders say the restoration effort is about more than preserving paint—it’s about preserving a visible piece of local heritage that has quietly stood for over a century.
