Click here to download Mural brochure and map
Wentzville Mural #8: HISTORIC WENTZVILLE Vietnam War Mural
On Tuesday, May 24, 2022, members of American Legion Post 323 in Wentzville, Mo., dedicated a 12’ x 18’ mural honoring all who served in the Vietnam War. This dedication coincided with the annual Run for the Wall in Washington, D.C. Over 500 riders arrived in Wentzville Monday evening and attended the Tuesday morning dedication before beginning the next leg of their journey.
Col. Brett Hanke led the devotion and noted that the mural is dedicated to everyone who served regardless of status or location. This includes all five branches of the Armed Forces, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and civilians. Over 9 million military personnel served active duty during the official Vietnam War era from Aug. 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975.
The mural is located near the nation’s first Vietnam Veterans Memorial at 201 W. Pearce Blvd., Wentzville. Members of the George Ehll family, owners of the Ehll’s Western Auto store next door, graciously donated the west-facing exterior wall of their building so the mural could overlook the memorial. A local resident, Paul Deschamp, D.C., was asked to come up with an idea for the mural.
Paul had served in the 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile). No war had used the helicopter and air mobile operations as extensively as the Vietnam War. Consequently, one of the iconic images of the war is that of a soldier guiding a Huey helicopter into a landing zone, so that is the image selected to be displayed by the mural. Adding to the uniqueness of the design is lighting that illuminates the cockpit and the faces of the pilots at night.
Wentzville takes great pride in being home to the first Vietnam Veterans memorial in the United States. Originally dedicated on Dec. 2, 1967, the Vietnam memorial has undergone a number of facelifts and renovations. Today it consists of a single column of red Missouri granite, topped by the carved figure of an eagle, and bears the inscription, “Whither thou goest, I will go.” Ruth 1:16. The new mural enhances the overall experience of the site, and Wentzville welcomes all visitors who stop by to honor and remember those who have served.
Click here for details of the Vietnam War mural dedication
Wentzville Mural #7: HISTORIC WENTZVILLE TOBACCO FACTORY – COLE BUILDING CORNER OF W. ALLEN AND LINN ST.
“Tobacco was grown here since the 1820’s. Wentzville’s seven big factories started producing and selling products before the Civil War. The largest of them, Dula & Carr, sold their factory in 1884-1885. Tobacco was still grown by local farmers into the 1930’s and 40’s. Some are still growing it today for personal use. Nearly every county in the state produced some leaf, while certain counties developed as major growers. A strip of land on the western side of St. Charles County stretching from the Missouri River on the south to Eagle Creek, now Big Creek, a branch of the Cuivre River, on the north, was one of Missouri’s banner growing regions.”
Thank you to our many donors for this mural:
Wentzville Mural #6: WORLD WAR I VETERAN POSTER MURAL – BICENTENNIAL PARK 22 W. PEARCE BOULEVARD
A tribute poster to the veterans of WWI has been added to Wentzville’s Bicentennial Park (22 West Pearce Boulevard), just down the street from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This beautiful poster resides on the south side (railroad side) of the Honor Roll, which lists the names of the Wentzville residents who served during WWII. This tribute is a replica of a design poster which was created during WWI. Thank you to the the collaborative efforts of some anonymous individuals who are members of the Wentzville Downtown Business Association, Wentzville Historical Society, the Wentzville Community Club, the American Legion, Demien Construction Company, Crossroads Arts Council, the City of Wentzville and Patrick Nolan for this final addition honoring our veterans.
Here is an interesting article that honors our veterans
Wentzville Mural #5: WENTZVILLE 1855 – 1920 ON WEST SIDE OF WENTZVILLE MILLWORKS, CORNER OF CHURCH ST. AND MAIN ST.
As a welcome to the Millennium, then Mayor Vickie Boedeker and the Board of Alderman issued a 2000 calendar that gave the history of our city. This calendar, entitled The City of Wentzville looks at the past as preparations are made for the future was illustrated by CAC member Artist Twig Loughry and featured 13 historical buildings. The calendar is also filled with historical descriptions of each and every building. This mural features all 13 illustrations and the original artist, Twig, added color to each page. See details below about the buildings. A big Thank You to Wentzville Community Club for sponsoring this community mural and a Great Big Thank You to Twig Loughry for sharing her artistic talent!
Click on each photo for historical information about each drawing in our community mural:
Wentzville Mural #4 – BATTLE OF WENTZVILLE – EAST SIDE OF THIEMAN’S CARPET CO 201 E. PEARCE
Civil War Battle of Wentzville Mural commemorates the Civil War skirmish that occurred near Wentzville July 16-17,1861 as Union soldiers were traveling by train to Mexico, MO
Wentzville Mural #3 – TOBACCO FIELDS – CORNER OF LINN ST. AND WEST PIERCE BLVD.
Wentzville artist, Keith Henderson, portrayed a time in the mid-1800’s showing fields of tobacco in the background around the MFA which was in operation at that time. Thanks to Dan Lang, the city’s Economic Development Director, for all of his assistance, knowledge, and direction in the creation and placement of this mural.
Wentzville Mural #2 – PICNIC LAWN FETE – LINN STREET SIDE OF BRICK BUILDING AT 2 MAIN ST.
This mural is a an enlarged reprint of a hand bill advertising a “picnic and lawn fete” that was going to include a lot of games with some very interesting prizes, and a picnic. Stop by to read the mural and enjoy a glimpse into Wentzville history in 1907!
Wentzville Mural #1 – WENTZVILLE VILLAGE CENTER HISTORY PANEL – SOUTH PITMAN STREET SIDE OF CENTURY LINK BUILDING
This mural features historical views of Wentzville.
