CROWN CITY, Ohio -- What looks like a red barn overlooking the Ohio River is in reality David Frasher's version of a tavern.
When David Frasher and his wife Sheila bought the Crown City property the red barn was two attached barns. David took one look at it and had another idea.
"I had this vision of a rec room and bar area," he said.
Three years later his mental picture is a reality and quite the popular place for family and friends.
Frasher appropriated the barn area closest to the river for his project. He divided it into two stories, poured a concrete floor for the first floor and planked out the second floor. Then he went to work on that second level bringing it into focus with his vision. Walls and bar area were paneled with corrugated tin and wood.
"I did the basic room and Sheila decorated it," he said.
Sheila Frasher first thought her husband had lost his mind but was soon behind him one hundred percent.
"When we bought the house ... David had this vision that no one else, including me, understood until it was finished. Then everybody got it," she said.
Everyone got it so well that the barn rec room has become the gathering place for holidays, ballgames, birthday parties, family reunions and more. It's large enough that campers can gather around the outside and tents can be raised in the lower level. Spacious and cozy the upstairs rec room sports a wood burning fireplace, a bar and a full working kitchen.
The Frasher's décor is eclectic, spirited and just plain fun. The steps leading up to the main rec room are surrounded by what they refer to as the John Wayne Wall. Leather goods, cattle gear, and other western memorabilia enhance a life- size poster of John Wayne himself standing on the landing.
Once up the stairs, visitors are welcomed to the Frasher 'Tavern' by a huge bar decorated with family pictures. Other mementos are woven into the room such as Granddad's license plate from when he served in the state legislature and a vanity plate advertising "Barron for Governor."
The huge room is anchored by a stone fireplace. David hauled the stone from a Greenbrier family camp and Sheila laid the stone for the hearth. Friends have also gotten behind the project.
"A buddy gave me the kitchen sink when he was remodeling his kitchen and another helped with the bar," David Frasher said.
The room has obviously been a labor of love. At the end of the bar are two stools made from real saddles just for the grandchildren. One wall is lined with dining booths David refurbished and Sheila reupholstered. Neon signs and stop lights flicker on and off adding to the ambiance. Hanging from a post is a tire from Bill Elliott's NASCAR race car. So everyone will know its for real, David's pictures of the event hanging nearby.
Every rec room needs a bathroom and the Frashers have a dandy. It's painted all sorts of colors as directed by an artist friend. Over these colors are written messages from visitors. Everyone gets to write on the wall after they read the poem that directs them to 'keep it clean.'
There is fun for all ages at the Frasher barn. Whether its ping pong, billiards, go carts, boat rides or a rocking chair, there is something every visitor will find appealing.
All the amenities aside, the heart of this red barn is the warm hospitality David and Sheila Frasher offer. As David mulled over all the good times they have had in the barn he was pleased.
"I built it for my friends and relatives," he said.
It's a vision they are all happy to have seen.
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