This is the only mural I've seen in my hometown. It is painted on the side of a building at East Main and Market. It was painted by Carrie Finnestead in 1995. After a lot of legwork I learned that Carrie is the daughter of Jane Finnestead, a noted St. Louis antique dealer and realtor. Jane was one of the consignors at what was then the Feed Store Antique Mall.
Shortly after I moved to town the Feed Store Antique Mall went out if business. An auction was held to liquidate the overcrowded shop. In fact, my dining table was purchased at that sale. The building currently is home to the East Main Antiques store.
Just a few weeks ago the local historical society erected the above plaque on the front of the building.
All the buildings in the mural are historic buildings still in use today. They are, however, scattered around the downtown area and not located in the order shown in the painting. It also includes a riverboat on the Missouri River and the railroad tracks that run between Front St. and the river.
Approximately twenty-six trains go through town each day. Most of them are hauling coal to the electric power plant about ten miles down river. Two years ago, the town limited train whistles in the city limits, and I sure do miss them. Our river access is part of the downtown riverfront park area and it is the most used access point in the entire state, according to our historical society. Because of that, we have a huge parking area that will accommodate at least 100 boat trailers. The three flags in the mural fly on the riverfront overlooking the boat ramp and I posted a shot of them here a few weeks ago.
The church is Saint Francis Borgia on Main Street at the edge of the downtown area. The church was completed in the spring of 1846. The three story building with all the windows is the Missouri Meerschaum Corn Cob Pipe Factory. It is the world's oldest continuously operating pipe factory and has been on the corner of Front and Cedar streets since 1869. My daughter has been working at the pipe factory for several years.
The yellow building is the old train depot and it sits across the street from the pipe factory. Until recently it housed a specialty food store and is now undergoing restoration. It is possibly the oldest railroad depot of wooden frame construction west of the Mississippi. Completed in 1865. It replaced the 1855 depot that was burned by General Stirling Price's raiders during the Civil War.
The white building is the John Clayton Building located on Front Street across from the boat ramp. John Clayton completing this building in 1838 as a store and Inn. For many years it was a Bed and Breakfast known as the Washington House. The building is currently for sale and houses several small specialty stores.
I am linking this post to Monday Murals
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ReplyDeleteSorry Sagaworld but, I had to delete you. You comment was a blatant advertisement for your business in Dubai. This blog does not accept ads. I would however enjoy hearing your opinion of the mural I posted this week.
DeleteI was showing this to hubby this morning and he asked me where it was...I couldn't remember the town. But this was a very interesting mural and a great history lesson this morning, Rita!
ReplyDeleteLooking at the 1940 photo, the mural must be quite a bit larger than it appears to me in your photo... Neat how the artist Carrie brought all the historcal building into it. And you background narrative is so intertesing, Rita (and a lot of work).
ReplyDeleteThe building itself doesn't look like much, so it is interesting and neat that it has been saved and is being recognized.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment on my tinman, we really do like him but don't think I want to make them to sell. Your town looks neat, I love murals and this one was done well. I adore train whistles--would hate for them to be limited. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteAnn
Wow, thanks for the history behind this mural and your town. Glad for your guidance in understanding the mural's content. It's so cool to have signature buildings memorialized like this. I'm amazed that corn cob pipes are still being made. The vintage photo is an extra treat. Mr. Dixon knew how to maximize his business. I wonder if his advertising is still behind the mural. Thanks for participating in Monday Mural and for the tour of your town.
ReplyDeleteNice bit of history there! I like seeing the old pic of the building too. There is a folk-art style to the mural.
ReplyDeleteWow - what a history, at least it is captured for all to see.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good one. Thanks for including the history and other info.
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