About the Tillamook County Quilt Trail

The Tillamook County Quilt Trail began the process to identify historic barns and other buildings in Tillamook County. Then enhance the structure with a large painted wooden quilt block, and then share the history of dairy farms and quilts through a self-guided tour for visitors to celebrate the unique Rural Heritage of Tillamook County. Photo at Right: Photo of the Tillamook Chamber of Commerce building, the first quilt block on the trail. Left to right: Committee members Betty Rolston (Co-Chair and Latimer Center), Andy Neal (Executive Director, Tillamook Area Chamber of Commerce); Suzanne Weber (Co-chair and Tillamook City Councilwoman). Not Pictured: Ad hoc member Marti Rhea for her inspiration for the Quilt Trail. Other coalition members Carol Marie Leuthold (Farm Bureau and Tillamook County Dairy Women), Teri Fladstol (4-H Leaders Association and grant writer), Linda Marchuta (Latimer Quilt & Textile Center) and Diane Colcord (Tillamook County Historical Society and graphics work).

This idea was originally voiced by Marti Rhea, and has become a reality through a coalition of local citizens. This coalition is co-chaired by Suzanne Weber and Betty Rolston, and is made up of members from the following organizations:

The first Quilt Block Trail on the West Coast, Phase I was central Tillamook County. For Phases II and III the hope is to expand the Quilt Trail to North and South Tillamook County. Phase I of the project began on January 4, 2009 and this goal was realized when quilt blocks were in place at the opening day of the Tillamook County Fair in August 2009. Photo at Left: "The Frame Brigade" Left to right: Tom Weber, Al Jacques and Rick Rolston, responsible for building the mounts and framework for the blocks and overseeing the installation as each block was mounted. Thanks to Steve Fladstol, engineer, for designing the mounts for the quilt blocks.

This project captures and showcases the unique heritage we have by combining the art of quilting and the rich history of the dairy and agricultural industry in Tillamook County. Most of the quilt block patterns come from "Patterns for an Oregon Quilt", a book available at the Latimer Quilt & Textile Center, and itself derived from a book by Eula M. Long. Many of the patterns were designed exclusively for Oregon. Different patterns may have the same name or one pattern many as the women changed the names to suit their surroundings. At the end of the history of each dairy farm is the name of the block at that location.