Mural #1

    The first mural to be painted by Main Street murals in 1998 depicts an image of “The Old National Trails Highway and it’s transition into Route 66, the Mother Road”.

    In the early 1920’s an emigration to California started from the Mid West.  Families packed up and headed west on Old National Trails Highway, and proceeded along Barstow’s Main Street.

    The depression and dust storms of the 1930’s sent families to California seeking work, some ended their journey in Barstow and made it their home.  In 1926 the road traveled became Route 66, the “Mother Road”.

    * There is a 6’ tall Jack rabbit in Mural #1.  Main Street Murals decided to have a contest among the elementary school students to name him.  The winning name was “Dusty Rusty”.  There is a jack rabbit in each of the murals, in some obvious and in others hidden.

    The principal mural artist was Jim Savoy.  Several local artists contributed to the artists conception that later became the first mural.  The idea was to voluntary paint the first mural to involve the community and in doing so, spread the vision and rally support for Main Street Muralshistorical walking gallery project.  Using just volunteers on a part time and haphazard work painting process, the mural took over a year to paint.

    This first project gave inspiration to the contributors of the mural and the general public at large.