"Corridor in History & Development” mural unveiled in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - A large, public mural, is being installed at the new Springfield-Sangamon County Transportation Hub on 11th Street in downtown Springfield.

The mural titled “Corridor in History & Development” by muralist Jared Bader, is 61.5 feet wide and 31.5 feet high and will feature numerous scenes and people from Sangamon County history.

The mural will be located at the SMTD Transfer Center on 11th Street.

Sangamon County Board officials appointed a community mural advisory committee to write and publish a request for proposals, evaluate the proposals and offer recommendations for artists back in 2021.

The advisory committee included representatives from nearby neighborhood associations, elected officials, administrators from the City of Springfield, Sangamon County and the local art community.

“We are grateful to the mural advisory committee for lending their time and expertise to help the county select the artist and concept for this space,” said Lori Williams, Sangamon County Board member. “The massive size of the mural is very impressive. We believe this art at the Hub will serve as a local history lesson for everyone who sees it. Viewers will learn more about the history of transportation, this local corridor and some of the people in our history.”

The mural will feature several historical references and tributes including the highest-ranking Black officer who served in World War I and the first president of Horace Mann Insurance.

“It has been exciting to work with our fellow committee members and the artist on this mural that will be a beautiful feature along 11th Street and the new rail corridor,” said Angela Harris, former president of Pioneer Park Homeowner’s Association and a member of the advisory committee. “This mural will not only help beautify this corridor, but will also serve as a place of pride for the neighborhoods surrounding the new Hub.”

Bader began painting large panels on mural cloth in his studio to prepare them for installation.

One of the murals panels was set aside and saved for area students to help paint part of the mural project during The Painting Your History experience last year.

“It was so exciting and fun to be able to work with the artist and students from all over the county to paint parts of the mural. I was nervous at first, thinking how can a bunch of kids paint part of a mural that’s supposed to represent our city? When I realized it was a paint-by-numbers experience, I knew we’d be able to have a great time and still make a beautiful piece of history,” said Emi Chon, mural experience participant and current District 186 student.

“It is something we can all be proud of, and we’ll be able to share it with our friends and family for years to come. We were part of something special here.”“I am so grateful that the community chose me to install this mural that I hope connects the art to the specific location of the new Hub,” Bader said. “It illustrates the idea of public transportation throughout Springfield history that can enable all people to access work and gain upward mobility, and it highlights some of the contributions of Sangamon County residents.”

City officials say later this year, another mural will be installed on the other side of the 11th Street mural that faces the west and 10th Street railroad tracks. The budget for the production and installation of both murals is $217,525.

Check out the interactive webpage of the features in the mural to learn more about who and what is featured.