Monday, April 9, 2012

Monday Murals

Back in Florida for more of the murals of Lake Placid...this mural is 62 feet wide and 14 feet high.  It represents the Turpentine Industry which was a major industry in this area, starting around the turn of the last century.  The customers included owners of wooden ships that required pine gum caulking for the vessels.




Walter Coachman and a man named W.T. Sessions started Coachman's Consolidated Naval Stores, and owned more than 2 million acres of Florida's finest pine forests.  In camps recalled by this mural, workers collected gum that was distilled into turpentine widely sold across America.







In addition to the murals in Lake Placid, they also have trash containers throughout town, decorated to reflect aspects of industry.  This one represents the Spirits of Gum Turpentine, distributed by Consolidated.  If you look closely, you can see the swing-door in the letters "um" of "Gum".












Linking to Monday Murals.





20 comments:

Andy said...

The art work on the mural is impressive. They also appear to still be good shape.

Dianna said...

I always learn new things on your Monday Murals posts!
And I love the idea for their trash cans - how creative!

Pix at Under the Oaks said...

Dianna took the words right out of my typing fingers!

Francisca said...

I'm embarrassed to say I had no idea turpentine is made from distilled pine tree gum. The mural depicting this industry is a work of art. And the garbage cans are a creative touch.

[Linda, thank you, thank you!]

Hootin Anni said...

Absolutely amazing Linda. I will not ever see these, I'm sure...so I'm enjoying them immensely [along with the tidbits of history] via "The Road Awaits..."

Awesome.

And since I wasn't visiting much yesterday for Easter I had to catch up on your previous post too...that too is awe inspiring!!! Hope you holiday was filled with love and peacefulness and surrounded by family.

Anonymous said...

I wonder if the artist was paid or not?

I used to do 12 foot long oil paintings on stretched canvas that I had to stretch myself over a framework of 2x4s.

TexWisGirl said...

the trash cans are very clever. :) murals are so cool. wish we did more of them in america...

VioletSky-Sightlines said...

that garbage cans are very cool!
murals are a great way to learn about the history of the area you live in (and to share it with everyone else who comes by).

EG CameraGirl said...

The mural is well done and I just LOVE the trash container!

Oakland Daily Photo said...

I continue to be impressed with how HUGE Lake Placid murals are. No half measures there. I'm like Francisca, had no idea where turpentine comes from. Now I've been educated. Beautiful mural; fascinating history. Imagine owning 2 million acres of land anywhere! Thank you for continuing to participate in Monday Mural.

Red said...

Great mural and story behind it. Turpentine is such a common product so it's interesting to find out about it.

Nellies said...

This mural is huge! Thanks for sharing, I really like the colors in this one.

Anonymous said...

Large scale mural. Is there a plaque on the mural? I thought I noted one.

Everything Changes said...

I like your top photo!

Ebie said...

The mural is very impressive. The one done on the tree trunk looks "embossed".

Monday Mural

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I fess up, I also did not know how turpentine was made, happy to say that I am now knowledgeable on the subject thanks to you Linda. Love the trash can, the 'um' of 'gum' swing door is very cool!!

Kranky Granny said...

How lovely. I am fascinated with murals.

Plus, you have now added another meme to my list. This is certainly one I can participate in. I have lots of saved shots of murals. The town where my Aunt lives is know a mural city because they have so many.

Louis la Vache said...

A fascinating post, Linda!

«Louis» thanks you for your visit to his Ruby Tuesday post!

RedPat said...

Great mural. I never even thought about the existence of such an industry.

The Greenockian said...

Fabulous artwork!
Liz