On the west side of Piqua, along busy State Route 36, sits a 100 year old structure that has quietly become one of the area’s most talked about roadside attractions, The Skelebarn Crew.
What started as a few plastic skeletons arranged around an old barn has grown into a year round themed display that thousands of drivers pass each month. The skeletons are dressed as construction workers, complete with hard hats, safety vests, and tools in hand, all “working” to refurbish the barn. It is funny. It is unexpected. And for many local families, it has become tradition.
The Skelebarn Crew Is More Than Just a Barn
Technically, it is not even a traditional barn. The structure is a historic corn crib, originally designed as a drive through building where farmers stored grain. Built to handle the weight of loaded wagons and trucks, it still stands strong more than a century later.
The display faces north toward the roadway, catching the attention of passing cars every single day. But this is not a situation where a few decorations are tossed in the yard and forgotten. John Eric Schmidt builds full scenes, he rotates themes, adjusts for the seasons. Every single detail is intentional.
At Christmas, the skeletons disappear. Instead, the crew transforms into Santa, the Grinch, or Elf on the Shelf. One year, John built a large cross and manger scene illuminated by a spotlight. A woman later told him she cried the rest of the drive home after seeing it.
He takes that kind of impact seriously.
A Family Operation on State Rt. 36
Skelebarn Crew is not a one man show.
During parade appearances, including the Bradford Pumpkin Festival Parade, John’s adult children and grandchildren join in. Nearly 20 real people have dressed up as skeleton construction workers to walk alongside the display, passing out candy and bringing the characters to life.
The first year alone cost around twelve hundred dollars just for costumes.
And that was only the beginning.
Each year, John spends several thousand dollars maintaining, expanding, and refreshing the scenes. Lumber, costumes, lighting, candy, repairs, improvements. It adds up quickly. He is quick to clarify that this has never been about turning a profit.
But sustainability does matter.
The Unexpected Impact on the Piqua Community
What surprised John most was not the traffic or the social media views. It was the stories.
Over the years, he has received countless cards, messages, and in person thank yous. Parents tell him their kids insist on driving by to see what the skeletons are doing now. Grandparents make it part of their routine when the grandkids visit. Families pull into the driveway just to say hello.
One evening, a woman stopped with her mother and explained that her mom has dementia. Some days she recognizes her. Some days she does not.
But every time they drive past after supper, she laughs. She always knows it is funny. John’s own grandmother had Alzheimer’s so the moment stayed with him. He even helps some with grieving the loss of loved ones like a woman who stopped after the death of someone close to her.
“It is still just plastic skeletons in a little barn.” John Eric Shmidt
But clearly, it is more than that.
From 1,200 Followers to 300,000 Views
The online growth happened almost by accident.
What began with around 1,200 followers grew to 100,000 monthly views and eventually peaked at more than 300,000 views in a single month. Even with those numbers, some visitors still do not realize there is a social media presence behind what they are seeing from the road.
The magic is still rooted in that original corn crib on State Route 36.
Big Ideas, Small Town Heart
John dreams big, but he dreams responsibly.
He would love to open another side of the barn for longer visibility and redesign the driveway to create a safer loop for visitors. He has talked about hosting a small local band on the porch stage, creating viral dance moments on the construction site, and maybe even attempting a drive through Beggars Night experience one day.
At the same time, he knows safety matters. Costs matter. Community comfort matters.
For now, the focus is simple. Refurbish the barn. Improve the driveway. Preserve the rustic character. Keep the joy going.
A Piqua Tradition Worth Preserving
The Skelebarn Crew has become more than a Halloween gag. It is roadside Americana. It is creativity inside a historic corn crib. It is families slowing down just long enough to smile.
Each year, John pours thousands of dollars and countless hours into the display. And he plans to keep building.
“If you have ever smiled driving past,” he says, “or brought someone to see it, or shared it online, you are already part of it.”
Now he is inviting the community to help shape what comes next through his GoFundMe campaign to grow the vision of this eclectic crew. If you would love to see this local tradition expand and continue for years to come, you can support the effort and be part of the next chapter.
Because sometimes, a few plastic skeletons working on a 100 year old barn are exactly what a town needs.
