Treasures: Transit evolution; Century Walk mural takes a ride back in tim
March 21, 2001 — Source: Naperville Sun, The (IL) — Author: Kathy Millen
What: City in Transit mural.
When: Dedicated in 1997 as part of the Naperville Century Walk outdoors art exhibit.
Where: Painted on the side of the Lantern building on the southwest corner of Washington Street at Chicago Avenue.
Size: 30 feet high and more than 50 feet wide.
Artists: Mariah deForest and Hector Duarte.
Completion time: One year.
Theme: Transportation in Naperville during the past 100 years.
Background: Naperville can attribute its growth to its location west of Chicago and the railroad system that connected it to other parts of the country.
The mural shows the evolution of travel in Naperville by water, train, automobile and airplane.
It includes nostalgic looks at the Burlington Zephyr, Pre-Emption House, Cromer Motor Co., Clyde C. Netzley Garage, Burgess Motors, Lee Nelson's Service Station, the Lima Lima Squadron, the Washington Street wooden bridge, the Main Street stone bridge, Old Plank Road, SS Peter and Paul Church, cars and taxis.
History: The Century Walk, a 10-year-initiative to place public artworks relating to Naperville in the downtown area, is financed by grants from the Illinois Arts Council, the city of Naperville's hotel/motel taxes, local banks and private donors.
Begun in 1996, the exhibit features 12 works of art.
Two more are expected to be dedicated this spring.
The Naperville Century Walk City in Transit mural at Washington Street and Chicago Avenue depicts the evolution of modes of travel in Naperville.
Section: NEWS — Page: 36
