Three Unexpected Mural Cities

Tucumcari, New MexicoTucumcari is a perfect Route 66 living nostalgia stop. It has the politically incorrect Teepee Curios with its large teepee entrance, and the 1940s Blue Swallow Motel. But it also has over a dozen wall murals celebrating the history and culture of the city, often with a touch of whimsy. The creative works of Sharon and Doug Quarles, these pieces of wall art grace the sides of building turning brick into canvas.Their "The Legendary Road"  is the largest mural on Route 66 dedicated to Route 66. It measures an impressive 14 ft. by 114 ft.Learn more about Tucumcari at: http://www.newmexico.org/city/tucumcari/Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaThe City of Brotherly Love could be renamed the City of Over Three Thousand Murals. The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program is the largest public art program in the United States. The program began in 1984 as a component of the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network, an effort spearheaded by then Mayor Wilson Goode to eradicate the graffiti crisis plaguing the city. The Anti-Graffiti Network hired muralist Jane Golden to reach out to graffiti writers and to redirect their energies from destructive graffiti writing to constructive mural painting. And it grew and grew until it is quite an amazing and impressive collection. Tours are available. Learn more at: http://muralarts.org/View the list »
Cuba MissouriPeople's Bank founded Viva Cuba (Long live Cuba), a beautification organization, in 1984 with the goal of beautifying this Route 66 city. But it wasn’t until 2001 that the Viva Cuba’s Mural Project commissioned 12 outdoor murals on public buildings that depicted the city’s history. In 2002, Cuba was designated the "Route 66 Mural City" by the Missouri legislature. This one is of Prosperity Corner. In the 1900s, Prosperity Corner drew residents to H.H. Tieman’s General Merchandise Store. Today, Prosperity Corner reflects scenes from this period. The Prosperity Corner Mural is located on E. Washington.Learn more at: http://cubamomurals.com/ 

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Some cities are known for food, or breweries, or being totally charming and historic, but some are known more for their art... especially rather quirky art. Here are three cities you may either not know, or have no idea they are a trove of street murals. But now that you know, how can you not want to visit?

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  • Cuba MissouriPeople's Bank founded Viva Cuba (Long live Cuba), a beautification organization, in 1984 with the goal of beautifying this Route 66 city. But it wasn’t until 2001 that the Viva Cuba’s Mural Project commissioned 12 outdoor murals on public buildings that depicted the city’s history. In 2002, Cuba was designated the "Route 66 Mural City" by the Missouri legislature. This one is of Prosperity Corner. In the 1900s, Prosperity Corner drew residents to H.H. Tieman’s General Merchandise Store. Today, Prosperity Corner reflects scenes from this period. The Prosperity Corner Mural is located on E. Washington.Learn more at: http://cubamomurals.com/ 
  • Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaThe City of Brotherly Love could be renamed the City of Over Three Thousand Murals. The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program is the largest public art program in the United States. The program began in 1984 as a component of the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network, an effort spearheaded by then Mayor Wilson Goode to eradicate the graffiti crisis plaguing the city. The Anti-Graffiti Network hired muralist Jane Golden to reach out to graffiti writers and to redirect their energies from destructive graffiti writing to constructive mural painting. And it grew and grew until it is quite an amazing and impressive collection. Tours are available. Learn more at: http://muralarts.org/
  • Tucumcari, New MexicoTucumcari is a perfect Route 66 living nostalgia stop. It has the politically incorrect Teepee Curios with its large teepee entrance, and the 1940s Blue Swallow Motel. But it also has over a dozen wall murals celebrating the history and culture of the city, often with a touch of whimsy. The creative works of Sharon and Doug Quarles, these pieces of wall art grace the sides of building turning brick into canvas.Their "The Legendary Road"  is the largest mural on Route 66 dedicated to Route 66. It measures an impressive 14 ft. by 114 ft.Learn more about Tucumcari at: http://www.newmexico.org/city/tucumcari/
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, Offbeat Places Examiner

Neala seeks the offbeat everywhere she travels and delights in sharing her discoveries through her www.OffbeatTravel.com Web site and now here at Examiner.com. E-mail her at Neala@OffbeatTravel.com.

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