A Painted History by Allison Eldredge

A PAINTED HISTORY

Twenty years ago (give or take a year or two) Cushing was the hot spot for a mural painting crew. Bob Palmer and students from UCO descended on the town and painted several murals.

by ALLISON ELDREDGE

MR. Palmer is the owner of Palmer Studios LLC: Murals & More. His work is displayed in the book Painting Oklahoma and Beyond. Check out Red Dirt Gallery on Facebook. His gallery is in Wellston, OK.

That summer when Bob and his students arrived to paint a mural on the side of Opal’s at 113 W. Broadway, his intention was to paint a mural of a watering hole. Before he started this project, Dale Gillespie entered into the picture.

Dale is the owner of several Studebaker automobiles. Dale had a different idea for the mural. Bob said that out of 4500+ murals that he has painted, only one was ever changed from his original vision….and Dale is the reason this one changed.

Dale’s view was for a mural of old cars on Broadway with the old store fronts of Cushing. He offered his cars as models. He told Bob that if he couldn’t drive them there to be models that he would bring pictures. And that is what he did. The Mural is a wonderful piece containing old cars and trucks, a tractor, storefronts and brick streets. The far end of the mural was damaged by an

earthquake and was patched; however, the signatures of the artists were lost in the damage. It is interesting to see some of the changes in the storefronts. The side of Opal’s that the mural is painted on is now an open lot. And things that haven’t changed, such as the corner building with the corner entrance.

Fast forward to this summer. Dale Gillespie wanted to meet with Bob Palmer again. What better place for a reunion than at the Mural?

The stories started flowing as soon as they were reunited; stories about the mural, stories about the other murals in town, stories about the cars, and stories about life.

Bob told us stories about his students. One was afraid of heights but was able to work around that fear by using an extender. Dale told us stories about his cars and the cars in the mural. He named them off so quickly that I couldn’t keep up.

Bob presented a signed copy of his book to Dale. Pictures were taken. Then Dale tells us that the hat he is wearing belonged to his grandfather who was a Cherokee Strip Cowboy on the 101 Ranch. The hat (which is in amazing condition) is at least 120 years old.

Dale invited us all back to his home and the picture of history that he has experienced was painted in even more vivid colors, including such unique pieces of details that were not visible until we listened to the stories.

Bob has a way of bringing out the stories and details, not only in his murals and paintings, but also in the conversations about life and history. It was a great blessing to be there listening to the stories and events come to life. Dale has pictures spanning decades and the stories that they contain are stunning.

Dale showed us the picture of the Old Timers and Families Cowboy Reunion at Millers Bros 101 Ranch from September 1921. His grandfather is fourth from the left. Bob told us that he had done a mural of the ranch in Ponca City. Two different stories, yet a connection between them.

Art depicts history, ideas and stories. Unique and historical stories lead to art. It is a wonderful circle. n

Opal’s building today

Corner building looking toward Opal’s today

Mural with corner building looking toward Opal’s then