If you have ever driven through Mill Shoals, you have probably noticed the remnants of what used to be a colorful mural on the side of the Post Office. Originally painted in 1978-1979, the mural that once had been a bright beacon in the community had become faded and barely noticeable to passersby. That is, until a group of folks from the community banded together to bring the mural back to life.
Let's start at the beginning. In 1978, a group of volunteers from the Chicago-based Institute of Cultural Affairs, came to Mill Shoals with a goal of making it an industrial town right off Interstate 64. The volunteers spent two years living in Mill Shoals, helping write grant proposals and plans for drawing in industry. The group was a not-for-profit entity created in 1973 to help motivate communities to help themselves.
After holding community meetings in every county of every state, the group used the information gathered to choose 16 communities across the United States to try to make a difference. Being easy to reach right off of Interstate 64, Mill Shoals was one of those 16 communities chosen. Although none of those economic dreams came to fruition, one thing that Mill Shoals has always been proud of was created: the Mill Shoals Cares mural.
Originally painted by Beverly Rose Enright in the summers of 1978-1979, the mural has been a bright focal point of the community. In 1988-1989, the Frontier Community College Introduction to Painting Class instructed by Vonnie McGuire, refurbished the mural to brighten things back up. The class was made up of Sarah Gray, Bonnie McKasson, Wanda Garman, Jan Pollard, Debbie Lamb, Wilena Gray, Sylvia Dawson, and Alberta Walters. According to Vonnie, the class members spent 746 combined hours working on the mural!
Fast-forward 35 years, and the mural was in disrepair and had been for years. Late well-known Mill Shoals resident Fran Carter had spoken with lifelong Mills Shoals resident Dana Bare about their dream of restoring the mural for many years. Unfortunately, Fran passed away during COVID and the post office building was sold to buyers from New York. Fran and Dana's dreams were dimmed, as Dana was not sure how to complete the project without her friend.
Another of Dana's friends, and Wayne-White Electric employee, Lisa Vaughan, contacted Dana and wanted to help get the project going. The first hurdle was getting in contact with the building owners in New York to get permission to renew the mural. After a lengthy process of getting the okay from the owners, they contacted talented local artist Vicki Gifford to look over the dilapidated mural to see if she thought it was something she could tackle. Not worried about payment for the project for herself, Vicki gave a cost estimate for supplies and necessities to complete the project.
The next hurdle to tackle was funding. An account was opened for people to make donations towards the project. Dana claims it was the easiest fundraiser she has ever been a part of, as it did not take long for money to start coming in. It was apparent that she was not the only person wanting to see the mural brought back to life! Donations came from the family of John and Wave Dozier, along with Stephe's Coffee Shop, several other community members, and Kodie Gosnell and Jodie Miller in memory of their father, Jerad Doggett. (Jerad was a young boy when Beverly Enright painted the original mural and could be seen fishing in the painting. He's said to have told Dana's son, "I got paid a soda for fishing. She could have painted me for nothing, but instead she gave me a soda!") These donations alone were enough to fund the project and set it in motion.
This past spring, Vicki and her husband Dennis completed a deep clean of the mural wall to prepare it for painting. In May, Vicki, along with helpers Teresia Hollinger, Maddy Bare (daughter of the late Stephanie Bare Wheeler and Dana and Jerry's granddaughter), Gideon Gifford (Vicki's grandson), and her husband Dennis, began the process of repainting the wall. Between the five volunteers, there was roughly 350 hours of work put into the project.
As part of the new and improved mural process, Vicki added prominent people and places to the painting in 2024. If you stop by the mural, you can seek and find the following additions: Wave Dozier and Margaret Boucherie walking, Stephanie Bare Wheeler painting a church door, Fran Carter's SUV, Adams Ring Factory, and The River Bridge.
In the words of Dana Bare, "Mill Shoals, like so many small communities, has a colorful history and deep roots. Thank goodness for Vicki Gifford and others like her who want to see this history preserved."
Postcards of the newly improved mural are being printed and will be available by contacting Dana at (618) 599-6678.
Wayne-White Electric is proud to provide electricity to Mill Shoals and the Post Office building.
