Classroom

Full Picture of the Eli Bridge Co. Mural. 

This is a link to the Eli Bridge Company's Website - the history.

More Info

If you would like to check out the operating ferris wheel and take a ride, click here for more info!

Learn more about the artist and his other projects here!

	This mural highlights the inspiration and dedication of local entrepreneurs here in Jacksonville. The Eli Bridge Company, established as a co-partnership between W. E. Sullivan and the Kellogg Bros. as primarily a steel bridge building company. In 1900, after Sullivan’s visit to the Columbian Exposition, they decided to make the first Eli Ferris Wheel. The Wheel was, according to Norman D. Anderson’s History, “built in record-breaking time.” Our town of Jacksonville, Illinois is where the very first “Big Eli” Ferris wheel was presented and the Wheel proved to be a great success and, in 1906, Sullivan incorporated the Eli Bridge Company and made it the company it is today (Eli Bridge Co.). 
Although it may be an incorporated company with many investors, it is still the family-owned company that it once was.  Jacksonville prides itself in being the town that produces the only ferris wheels in the country to this date. And to feature this, we also have a functioning Ferris Wheel, on Main Street that operates every Sunday from 4 pm to 6 pm starting on Memorial Day through Autumn, if the weather permits. In addition to that ferris wheel, the very first wheel, Big Eli #1, stands gloriously in front of the current standing factory. 
	This walldog mural was created by Dale Manor, a resident of Menomonie, Wisconsin. He took this project in his hands because as walldog muralist he found the history behind the Eli Bridge Company very interesting. Manor is a muralist of various types kinds and his work is presented throughout the country. To learn more about his other works, follow this link. 


Eli Bridge Co. Mural 

During the summer of 2006, Jacksonville Main Street hosted a group of professional sign painters called Letterheads to conceive and execute heritage-based art projects throughout Jacksonville's historic central business district. The result was a collection of murals and sign projects that highlight the rich history of Jacksonville. The event, which a celebration of the arts and history, was dubbed "The Jacksonville Walldog Extravaganza." A Walldog was originally a sign painter who traveled throughout the country painting advertising on buildings in the early 20th century. Today, a Walldog is a nickname referring to the Letterhead sign painter who create murals in a similar manner.

Walldog Murals

<div>Welcome to again to Downtown Jacksonville! This mural you’re looking at was created by one of the Walldog Muralists by the name of Cameron Bortz that arrived here all the way from Pawcatuck, Connecticut to Jacksonville in 2006 to add a little more history to our town. Although Jacksonville is a town small in number, it doesn’t fall short in the area of history. We have had figures from Abraham Lincoln, to Edward Beecher all come through and some even lived in this town.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Jacksonville was&nbsp;started as a town established in 1825 by European Americans coming from the Northeast looking to pursue other opportunities in life. In 1829 with Illinois College becoming a center of attention, the square and the town itself began to grow rapidly. Jacksonville had one of the&nbsp; the largest populations of any city, if not the largest in the state of Illinois, outnumbering Chicago. Jacksonville was approaching about 1,800 settlers while Chicago as this time only saw about 150 settlers.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Because of a cholera epidemic, Jacksonville lost all hope in being announced as the state capital but that setback only pushed this town to move forward. Illinois College served as a fundamental support system to the development of the town. By the 1850 not only was IC established but also numerous other schooling facilities such as the School for the Deaf and the School for the Blind were constructed.</div><div><br></div><div>Today, Jacksonville hosts two colleges, Illinois College and MacMurray College. It is also home to many local restaurants and businesses. Please feel free to stop by and have a bite to eat at Leo’s Pizza or The Irish Toad for some fantastic local pizza!&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><br></div>

Welcome to Jacksonville! This mural you’re looking at was created by one of the Walldog Muralists by the name of Cameron Bortz that arrived here all the way from Pawcatuck, Connecticut to Jacksonville in 2006 to add a little more history to our town. We hope it provides a warm welcome to our town and prepares you for the wonders you are to find within our neighborly square!

 Welcome to Downtown Jacksonville Mural

<div>The artist of the Short Horn Cigar mural, Mike Meyer, perfectly captured the label of one of the more popular cigars that the R.T Cassell Cigar Co. manufactured and sold. In 1882, Robert T. Cassell and his brother, Lyman, opened their own cigar-making business in the back room a building which used to be where city park is now located.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Though the business had a modest beginning in the back room of a building, the journey for the location of the cigar business didn’t end there. The cigar company changed locations within Jacksonville a few more times. It began on South Main Street, relocated to West Side Square in 1896, and went back to being located on South Main Street in 1927.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Throughout the years, the R.T Cassell Cigar Co. manufactured and sold a variety of cigars such as the “Big Run,” the “Cheerup,” the “Leading Lady” which eventually replaced the “Cheerup,” and the “Short Run." The “Cheerup” and the “Leading Lady” were priced at five cents in the 1880s which would cost about $11 per cigar in 2017.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Of the different cigars the cigar company manufactured, the “Short Run” cigar and the “Big Run” cigar were the most popular ones. The “Big Run” cigar label was just as illustrative as the “Short Run” with various modes of transportation such as a sail ship, steamboat, express train, bicycle and the automobile. R.T Cassell’s success as cigar-maker in Jacksonville is struck by an unfortunate typo on the “Short Run” label which misspells Cassell’s last name on the bottom of the label as “R.T Cassel Cigar Co.”</div><div><br></div><div>In the spirit of supporting small businesses like R.T Cassell Cigar Co., stop by Frozen Penguin to buy some delicious frozen yogurt. If you would like to see Frozen Penguin's yogurt and topping selection, check out the link on this entry for more information.&nbsp;</div>

The R.T Cassell Cigar Co. began as a small cigar-making business in Jacksonville ran by two brothers. Since its humble beginnings in 1882, the R.T Cassell Cigar Co. flourished into one of Jacksonville's prominent business selling various cigars. Cassell's business sold included the "Short Run," "Big Run," "Cheerup," and "Leading Lady." One of their most popular cigars was the "Short Run" which is depicted in this mural and demonstrates the spirit of small businesses in Jacksonville. 

Cigar Industry/Short Horn Label Mural

<div>Francisco Vargas, the artist behind the Mullenix and Hamilton’s mural, demonstrates the homely feeling behind the original confectionery stands that Robert Mullenix and Lloyd “Doc” Hamilton started.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Mullenix and Hamilton began their famous confectionery stands business in 1913, and its location for the first stand was East State Street. Hamilton’s stands were known to supply local social events with a variety of different confections that made the events livelier and more joyful. The stands were primarily known for selling soda and other refreshments, but they also sold chewing gum and candy.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Hamilton’s made accessing customers' favorite confections easier by having a “big stand” which was a wood-frame building with a screen where customers could order whatever they wanted. Hamilton’s confections stands were quite popular throughout Nichols Park, but Hamilton decided to expand his business outside of confections stands.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>In addition to running the very popular confection stands, Hamilton opened a restaurant which was also located on East State Street. However, in the early 1970’s,&nbsp;the family’s restaurant closed down and became a catering business. Today, Hamilton’s Catering Inc. is still in operation and resides on North East Street in Jacksonville.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Hamilton’s original vision for their confectionery stands brings people together to bond over some sweet treats and to have those treats bring them more joy while they’re with friends. Hamilton’s Catering Co. is down the street from the Hamilton’s mural, and you can feel that original vision come back to life through the service that they provide at a wide variety of social events.&nbsp;</div>

Mullenix and Hamilton's started in 1913 when Robert Mullenix and Lloyd "Doc" Hamilton opened their first stand on East State Street. The incredibly popular confectionery stands were known for bringing people together and making events an even more enjoyable time. The stands were well-known for selling sodas, refreshments, chewing gum, and candy. Hamilton's underwent a transformation from stands, to a restaurant, and now the legacy continues as the Hamilton's Catering Co. 

Mullenix and Hamilton's Mural

This depicts the Public Square in 1910. At the turn of the century, Jacksonville was referred to as "The Elm City" due to one citizen who wanted to spruce up the town.&nbsp; The charm of this town was also due to the vast amount of different churches in the area.&nbsp; Citizens felt at ease in their little town.&nbsp; &nbsp;Not only did Jacksonville provide spiritual relief, it also gave its people physical relief.&nbsp; Jacksonville housed the first medical school in the state. The medical school was located at Illinois College.&nbsp; This also happens to be the oldest college in the state of Illinois.&nbsp; Schools played a major role in the town.&nbsp; It is often called "The Athens of the West" due to the large amount of higher education institutes here.&nbsp; Jacksonville even attempted to get the University of Illinois to open its main doors here.&nbsp; (It lost the competition to Urbana- Champaign.)<br>The picture mural shows the square before the construction of the Ayers National Bank tower.&nbsp; People were in awe of&nbsp;the arrival of the new building, they thought it was a stunning addition.&nbsp; The former bank was bought out by The Farmers State Bank and Trust Company.&nbsp; The Ayers National Bank had to shut down due to financial reasons during the Great Depression.&nbsp; &nbsp;Also pictured is a streetcar.&nbsp; They were originally pulled by horse and buggy.&nbsp; The mural shows, indirectly, how far the town has progressed.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>The mural was inspired by a postcard.<br><br>For the kids***<br>Can you find the blue arch?

This is part of the Walldog Murals.  It was done by Mike Clark from Alton, IL.

West - Side Public Square 1910

<span><p>Grierson’s amazing musical ability peaked during his time in Jacksonville. In his biography he is mentioned saying that “much additional music was written and arranged for the excellent band and orchestra in Jacksonville, of which I was the leader.” He often wrote for private entertainments and Christmas family meetings, which he very much enjoyed. He never got around to publishing music, but many Jacksonville citizens urged him too. Instead he left them stowed away in his attic; a reminder of a dream he had for later in his life.</p><p>At the outbreak of the Civil War Grierson was 34, a husband, and a father of two young boys. At this point in his life he had no military training, but was active in politics within his community. He learned under many politicians-turned soldiers, and in 1862 Richard Yates made him colonel of the 6th Illinois Cavalry. During the war he served under “appreciative eyes” of William T. Sherman and Ulysses S. Grant. Unfortunately a knee injury interrupted his military career, but gave him time to visit those back home in Jacksonville.</p><p>Of his short return home he mentions, “I had been so well known at Jacksonville before the war that, although I remained quietly housed at our old homestead, many people came to see me there” (???). Many of his close friends in Jacksonville were the professors of Illinois College, and teachers of other learning institutes. Even without his contribution to his nation, Grierson clearly was a man of good stature.</p><p>Grierson, the military leader, was most famous for his leading of an amazing cavalry raid through Missouri towards the end of April in 1863. After the war he remained in the army and contributed greatly. In 1897 he married Lillian King, a widow of Jacksonville, and remained there for the remained of his life, dying in his summer home on August 31, 1911. He is buried in Jacksonville East Cemetery.</p><p>The mural was created by Dave Petri of Green Bay, WI &nbsp;to commemorate the accomplishments of Benjamin Grierson. </p><div><br></div></span>

Benjamin Grierson began his life in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Through fate he wound up in Jacksonville, Illinois, where he made a profound impact. He is now honored with a mural purely dedicated to his accomplishments in life, proof that he is a man worthy of Jacksonville’s pride. 

Benjamin Grierson

<span><p>This is a depiction of Lincoln’s address to the Phi Alpha Society in this town, Jacksonville, on February 11, 1859. Originally, it was developed for a delivery to the Young Men’s association of Bloomington, Illinois but was rewritten and presented here in Jacksonville. He was asked many times to present this lecture in front of multiple crowds but after his speeches in Springfield, Decatur and Pontiac he decided that he was no longer receiving the reactions he desired from his audience so he stop giving this lecture. His law partner, William H. Herndon claims that Lincoln “began preparation in the usual way by noting down ideas on stray pieces of paper, which found a lodgment inside his hat, and finally brought forth in connected form a lecture.1” Lincoln did not want to seem as though his words were losing meaning by repetition of the same idea so he resolved the issue by turning down requests to speak at other events. The reason he spoke about his topic is because Lincoln himself was very passionate about innovation and he knew it was the path to our future. Lincoln had taken out multiple patents on his own innovation on of which was a tool to “lift boats over shoals” and although it was never constructed you can see his dedication to this topic of innovation. </p><p>This mural was painted by multiple artists, but primarily by Andy and Lori Goretski. Andy Goretski is still a muralist that works at Custom Murals and recently installed signages for the study rooms in a library in Wisconsin. </p><div><br></div></span>

One of Jacksonville's Walldog murals. This one commemorates one of Lincoln's early political speeches, delivered in front of the court house during the autumn of 1856.

Lincoln in Jacksonville Mural 

The mural is of the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo Bill Cody earned his name from working on the Pacific Kansas Railroad.&nbsp; He took a break from that to join in the Civil War; little did he know that it was more than just a mere break to serve his country.&nbsp; It was there he got his claim to fame.&nbsp; Buffalo Bill Cody was noticed by some people from Hollywood who were looking to capture the Manifest Destiny taking place.&nbsp; They picked Cody due to his natural swagger and poised attitude.&nbsp; He took on acting (as Buffalo Bill) and was the living embodiment of the American frontier.&nbsp; His image was that of a man who grew up on the western front but had city citizen class.&nbsp; His crew was that of a Calvary, they rode horses and fought Native Indians.&nbsp; That is actually quite ironic because Cody was a big spokesperson for the correct and proper treatment of the American Indian population.&nbsp; He also used his celebrity status to advocate for women's rights.&nbsp;<br>Buffalo Bill's tie to Jacksonville, IL is that he helped support local businesses by buying products here.&nbsp; His crew and he made quite a few trips to town of Jacksonville between 1876 and 1911.&nbsp; Records show that on one trip he bought blankets from J.Capps and Son's textile and clothing factory.&nbsp; Just like Buffalo Bill supported local businesses here, the WallDog Murals&nbsp;tour hopes to do the very same.&nbsp; Be sure to stop at some of the restaurants and stores mentioned!<br><br>For the kids***<br>Can you find the buffalo facing left?

This is part of the Walldog Murals.  It was made by Bill and Jane Diaz

Buffalo Bill

<span><p>Jacksonville Public Library exists due to the generosity of Illinois College and Andrew Carnegie. Prior to its existence the citizens of Jacksonville created the Jacksonville Library Association which provided a subscription based library with annual fees of fifty dollars. Within four years the city creates the Jacksonville Free Reading Room funded by donations, and later the YMCA. Jacksonville then tried without success to support the library through a mill tax.</p><p>With the future of the Jacksonville library in jeopardy, L.O. Vaught, a local lawyer, writes to Andrew Carnegie to request the funding for a free public library in Jacksonville. In response to Vaught’s letter, James Bertram, trusted private secretary of Carnegie, writes back to Vaught to ask for more information on the city. Usually when Carnegie received requests from cities to fund libraries Bertram would examine them and present them to Carnegie in order for approval, and in the case of Jacksonville, Illinois, it was approved.</p><p>In order for the library to be established the city needed to find a location. Being a college town, the local college, Illinois College, gave the city a five thousand dollar loan to build the library. The location chosen was the southeast corner of College and Sandy Street, where it still stands today. The architecture and scenery remains in great shape just as when it was built. Carnegie prided his libraries on “achieving a feeling of the cultural and social context of the library within the community,” which it still does to this day.</p><p>The mural was created John Jordan of Caringbah, Australia to commemorate the generosity of Andrew Carnegie.</p></span>

Jacksonville Public Library exists due to the generosity of Illinois College and Andrew Carnegie. The mural was created to honor Andrew Carnegie and his sizable donation that made the library possible. 

Jacksonville Public Library

<div>The artists for the DX service stations, Kurt Gaber and Dave Utter, took advantage of the service station’s popularity and traditional style to create three different murals that all depict various advertisements that the service station put out throughout its time in Jacksonville.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The southwest corner of South Main Street and West College Avenue was where many of the gasoline service stations were located at and is now where the murals of the service stations are.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>DX service stations had an interesting journey with its identity and journey throughout the twentieth century. The popular service station’s origins are in Tulsa, Oklahoma and started off as the Mid-Continent Petroleum Corporation. It is important to note that the Mid-Continent Petroleum Corporation is only half the story of the DX service stations.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The Sun Oil Line Company was founded in 1890 by the Pew family and it was originally located in Ohio. The Sun Oil Line built its first service station in 1920 and had developed a chain of service stations throughout the United States in states besides Ohio such as Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania. Sun Oil was famous for its Blue Sunoco gasoline which was advertised as “poison-free” and claimed to reduce engine knocking because of its high octane content yet it didn’t contain additional tetraethyl lead.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;Another company, the Sunray Oil Company merged with Mid-Continent in 1953 and it was around this time that the DX service station chain began emerge as a result of the merger. Sun Oil eventually bought Sunray Mid-Continent in 1972 and kept both the Sunoco and DX oil brands alive with DX being more prominent in the West.&nbsp;<br><br>North and South Main Street contained auto dealerships in the early 20th century, and small service stations were found every few blocks in the historic central business district.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The history of the oil companies here in Jacksonville demonstrates that the city is very much part of the national economy and is looking to grow itself further economically. If you want to help Jacksonville's economy to continue flourishing, stop by Leo's Pizza or the Irish Toad for some great food!</div>

The DX service station has had a long and interesting history of constant. The service stations origins can be traced back to the Mid-Continental Oil Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma where they sold DX brand gasoline.  Through various mergers, the DX brand no longer stands on its own, but it demonstrates that Jacksonville is very much part of the national economy with the acquisitions of its oil companies. The murals are located on the same corner as the original DX service stations when they were in operation.

Walldog Murals

Eli Bridge Co. Mural

Introduction

Images

Additional Information