(Note: this mural was damaged in a high-speed chase in early 2022 and part of it is gone; it will eventually be repaired; not certain if it will be an exact replacement).Commissioned for the Ohio Bicentennial, this mural features modes of transportation that were the backbone of Franklin’s success. Includes the only Ohio Bicentennial Mural that's not on a barn.This was the first mural painted in Franklin and was done in 2003 as part of the local celebration of Ohio’s Bicentennial. As part of the celebration- each of the 88 counties in Ohio was to have a barn painted with the bicentennial logo. Franklin was recognized as number 89 with the logo on the building.The building, which currently houses Turner’s Clip Joint, was built in approximately 1900. It was the Traction Office building, basically serving as the ticket office for the Traction line. This was a trolley-like service that ran between Detroit and Cincinnati, running 18 hours/day, with cars trains running every hour, and at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.Traction service ended in 1939, having lost its competition with automobiles.The building later housed Parker’s Dry Cleaners.
On the side of VFW Post 7596 - A tribute to the Armed Services.Includes two military quotes.At the west end, an August 20, 1940 quote from Winston Churchill, “Never in the field (face) of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”The quote refers to the ongoing efforts of the Royal Air Force crews who were fighting the Battle of BritainPilots who fought in the battle have been known as The Few ever since. At times they are commemorated on Sept. 15, the “Battle of Britain Day.”At the east end, the quote “The American soldier does not pick his war but when war has come, he has always done his duty with honor and for the love of his country.” This quote cannot be clearly attributed to anyone.In the middle, the iconic scene of the flag being raised over Iwo Jima in WWII.The mural shows the diversity of our military with different races and genders represented among the branches of Armed Services.
The mural continues inside.Pepsi was delivered by horse drawn vehicles until 1908 when they became the first soft drink company to use motorized vehicles.This site was the location of the Union Church, which was built in 1823, and home to the Methodists, Presbyterians, and First United Church of Christ. This building was demolished in 1905 to make room for the “new” Conover Hardware Store.The Conover Store operated from 1906 to 2002. It was purchased by Tom Combs, owner of Pisanello’s Pizza, who converted it into a restaurant.
A fool-the-eye mural that looks 3Drecognized as National Municipal Mural Award WinnerSeveral of our murals have this 3D effect, including the suspension bridge mural at Third Street.The Huntington Bank Building was built in the 1950s.The grassy lawn area was the site of Thirkield’s Department Store, which operated at this site beginning in 1850, and was said to be the oldest three-story structure west of the Mississippi. The building was demolished in 1980.Next to Thirkield’s was the Adams Building, a narrow three story building that was home to a number of drugstores, photography studios, and dentist offices. It was also demolished in 1980.It was outside this building that the Franklin Village Marshal George Basore was shot and killed by a suspected burglar.
This was the last mural painted in downtown Franklin.This mural looks back in time to the 1950s. The diner, the car, and the people’s clothes evoke a 1950s look.The slogan on the west end of the mural “Reach for your phone and have a happy time” also dates from the 1950s and appeared in magazines as an ad for the Bell Telephone System.The building itself is or was owned by ATT and built in the 1950s or later.Many businesses have occupied this corner including the Fleming, Barkalow, and Earhart Drug Store. Later it was the site of the Warren National Bank, which was shut down by bank examiners. Later it was the Croll Funeral Home and Mary Croll Flower shop. Finally, it was the first site of Lake Jewelry.
Recognized as National Municipal Mural Award WinnersThe suspension bridge was built in 1872-73 by the Shipman Company based on the designs of John Roebling, who built the suspension bridges in Cincinnati and Brooklyn. The cost of the bridge was $43,900; half was paid by the state and half by the county.The Shipman company donated four lions, two awake and two sleeping, to guard the bridge. The initially faced each other, but when the current bridge was built, were changed to face outward.Fun fact: the lions appear to have human teeth.The bridge was closed in 1931, due to being declared unsafe.The building on which the bridge mural is painted and now houses the license bureau, was built in 1929 by SC Alexander to house his hardware business. Later it housed the Morris Company and the GC Murphy 5 & 10 Cent Store.
Completed in 2003Commissioned by the Meeker family in memory of Harriet B. MeekerThe water tower is in our mural and it features Eric’s work, so it a mural in his muralHarriet is in the mural in front of the Meeker & Meeker Insurance office. The family was brought in to approve, but felt Harriet’s skirt was too short so Eric had to lengthen the skirt, and the line from the original skirt length can still be seen if you look close enoughOnly cartoon mural in Franklin
The American Legion Post 149 was organized in 1919 and is known as the Russell McElfresh post. He died in the Argonne on October 7, 1918.The current building was built in 1966.
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The artist: Eric Henn, is a native of Circleville, OH and former resident of Franklin. He has been painting murals for nearly 3 decades, and his work is seen all over the country in zoos, theme parks, aquariums, city scapes, water towers, and private homes.
