Heartbreak Hotel Mural - Duncan, OK
Posted by: 
hamquilter
N 34° 30.079 W 097° 57.328
14S E 595891 N 3818238
Roadside America highlights this mural which is Duncan's contribution to the Rhythm and Routes Music Trails program.
Waymark Code: WMYJZY
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 06/22/2018
Views: 0
This mural was painted by students of Bob Palmer, the world-renowned muralist. The mural was painted in 2015 as part of the Rhythm & Routes initiative which inducts singers, musicians and songwriters and provides an interactive map online to track a route to towns with personal significance to the inductees. This mural was prepared as Duncan's recognition of this endeavor.
Duncan is the hometown of Hoyt Axton (1938-1999), well known singer and musician. His mother, Mae Boren Axton wrote the son "Heartbreak Hotel" which catapulted Elvis Presley to fame.
This is a two-story brick building painted white, which has been a succession of hotels since 1920. The mural features pictures of Hoyt Axton playing guitar, 78 rpm records, and music with the words "I've never been to heaven, but I've been to Oklahoma". On the north end of the mural is a picture of Elvis Presley and a gold record, and another scene of Elvis handing Mae Boren Axton a record. Above them are the words, "Well since my baby left me, I found a new place to dwell. It's down at the end of Lonely Street at Heartbreak Hotel". Boy! Those were the days we remember well.
At the center of the mural is a large area painted "Rhythm and Routes and a black granite plaque telling the story of Hoyt and Mae Boren Axton.
