Sesquicentennial Mural - Keokuk, IA
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 40° 23.754 W 091° 23.022
15T E 637169 N 4472953
Mural to cover the Sesquicentennial and announce the Millennium
Waymark Code: WMMTW5
Location: Iowa, United States
Date Posted: 11/05/2014
Views: 1
County of plaque: Lee County
Location of plaque: 5th St. & Main St., small park, Keokuk
plaque erected by: Main Street Keokuk, inc.
Date marker erected: 1997
Mural designed by: Rickelle Nelson
Artist: painted by: Glen Myers
Text of accompanying plaque:
A Sesquicentennial Mural for the New Millennium
In 1997 Keokuk marked its Sesquicentennial with a year-long celebration. The celebration included a heritage mural design contest cosponsored by Main Street Keokuk, Inc. and the Keokuk Arts center. The winning entry was submitted by local artist, Rickelle Nelson. The 10 x 36-foot mural was painted by Keokuk artist, Glen Myers. The mural depicts a visual narrative of noteworthy persons in Keokuk's history as well as the importance of area industry and agriculture. The Mississippi River with Lock and Dam 19 serves as the central focal point. This Bronze marker is inscribed with the names of those who made substantial contributions toward the mural project.
History tid-bits:
"Henry Christian Huiskamp moved to Keokuk in 1846 and opened what eventually became known as the Huiskamp Brothers Company, manufacturers and retailers of shoes.
The State Legislature granted Keokuk a city charter on February 23, 1847. The mayor and council were not elected until January of 1848."
" In 1857 Samuel Clemens, or Mark Twain, moved to Keokuk to help his older brother Orion publish Keokuk’s first city directory at "The Ben Franklin Book and Job Office," formerly located at 212 Main Street. His first paid articles were also printed at the shop. He left Keokuk to be a steamboat’s cub pilot on the lower Mississippi. Clemens’ mother lived in Keokuk for many years at Seventh and High Streets."~ Lee County Historical Society