Murals of Newark

Murals of Newark, N.Y.

East Ave. Bridge Erie Canal Mural 2008

This iconic trompe l’oeil on the East Ave Bridge in Newark was painted by Art in Public Places by Corky Goss and Chip Miller in 2008. This mural in under the East Ave. Bridge in Newark. There are three sides to this mural. This mural depicts Jessie Hawley writing about how the Eire Canal was possible in debtors prison, on the west side the Wedding of the Waters coming to Newark in October 28, 1825 facing south on the canal and the boat coming through the arch in Newark on the east wall.

Union Street and Big Rose

Imagine you are standing on East Union Street, one of the two
main streets comprising Newark’s affluent downtown which once
consisted of fifty plus thriving businesses. The Erie Canal parallels
and is the backyard of the East Union St. buildings you are viewing.
In the early 1900’s the canal was straightened and widened
northward to transition from the towpath to the towing of barges
by boats. This process created a sizeable land bank on the south
boundary of the canal. A beautiful rose garden park was created on
this bank for canal travelers to enjoy from the water. It is very likely
that this beautiful garden was planted with the Jackson and Perkins
nursery roses. In later years, the garden gave way to a muchneeded alleyway for delivery access to the stores and diagonal
parking for customer’s and employee’s cars. Envision now a
one-way alley running the entire length of the block behind the
East Union St. buildings.
Without doubt you and your family have come to Newark
today to view the Jackson and Perkins annual Rose and Kiddie
Parade. One must arrive early to find parking and get a prime
location for viewing as thousands will attend. The parade always
begins on East Union St. and starts promptly at 3:00 P.M. Perhaps
you will be viewing the parade from in front of the Newark Grill
and after the parade consider having a spaghetti dinner at the
restaurant. Have a wonderful Day!
This mural was painted by community artists and the Newark High
School Mural Club during the summer of 2018.
MES 2020

Urger/Southern Railroad 2020

This abandoned, eighteenth century Pennsylvania railroad bridge abutment is most appropriate on which to display this beautiful mural. The mural depicts the availability of transportation which facilitated the prosperous growth of the village of Newark. Not only was Newark born of the Erie Canal, but it was blessed geographically with the fertile lands left behind from the glacial era. From a mere insignificant hamlet Newark became a boomtown; factories were built as industrial and agricultural marketing began to flourish. Directly responsible for the village’s growth were two modes of transportation. The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 now connected Newark to the Atlantic Ocean and as far west as the Mississippi River. Soon the railroads laid track near the water routes and marketing was no longer limited to local sales. Newark had four railroad lines and their spars that ran through the village – The Pennsylvania Railroad, New York Central, West Shore and the Newark & Marion R.R. All were readily accessible in Newark as were the passenger and tugboats of the Erie. Resultantly over forty factories and businesses sprang up in Newark in the mid 1800’s. Indeed – “Those Were the Days!”

This mural feature a Penn. R.R. steam engine pulling coal hoppers headed for the Sodus Point coal trestle where they will be unloaded onto a Great Lakes freighter outbound for Canada. The tugboat Urger recently awarded the honor of being named the “Flagship of the Erie”. She was the first tugboat purchased for canal use in 1922. She not only moved barges, assisted with dredging but whatever task presented. She recently served as the NYS educational tug welcoming 4^th grade students aboard. Urger is semi-retired presently but it is our hope she will once again be teaching our children about the history of the Erie Canal.

MES7/2

Wayne County Humane Society

Artist Mural Mania

This mural painted by Mural Mania artists in the spring of 2023 at the Lyons Community Center. This mural on County House road is only a quarter of a mile from the Erie Canal just off of Rt. 31. between Lyons and Newark. This mural has over 150 dogs and cats in it. It is a must see.

Alex Eligh Community Center 2008

Rose Garden Mural 2018

Once located in Newark, N.Y. “The Rose Capital of America”
The Jackson and Perkins Company (JP) was founded in 1872 just
three blocks SW of this location. It was initially a nursery business
with hybridizing facilities and test gardens. Display gardens were
later added for public viewing.
The early thirties marked the beginning of the Rose Festival and J&P
very successfully exhibited at the 1939 N.Y. World’s Fair.
Resultantly, sales increased, shipping was employed, and the
company entered the retail market.
In June of 1947 a new 17-acre Rose Garden opened, and new office
headquarters were built across from the gardens. Soon Newark earned the title of the “World’s Largest Rose Garden.”
”40,000 plants welcomed over 650,000 visitors from June through
September and the annual mid-June Rose Festival
began. Both Princess and Queen pageants were held in
addition to a beautiful rose parade and kiddie parade.
In the early sixties the company found itself quickly
outgrowing its local growing facilities. They were forced to
relocate some operations to Arizona, California, and Oregon. In 1966 the Jackson & Perkins Company was officially sold to Harry & David in Oregon. The Rose Gardens and festival
remained through 1971, but J&P officially closed forever at the end of that season. J&P roses are still for sale today at
www.jacksonandperkins.com MES 9/21/19 This mural was painted by the Newark Mural art club and community volunteers.

Rose Parade Mural 2019

The Jackson & Perkins Rose Parades began in the early 1940’s and grew tremendously well into the 1950’s. It was in the fifties that the parade attracted spectators numbering near 50,000. The crowds lined the downtown streets standing four deep to view some thirty beautiful floats, a dozen marching bands, children with their rose decorated vehicles, and notable dignitaries riding in shining convertibles. There was always anticipation over the unannounced participants each year such as the Hollywood celebrities, noted singers, a calliope, or even live circus animals. Space limits but some celebrities partaking in the festivals were: Bob Hope, Bess Myerson, Carmel Quinn, several Miss Americas, Bing Crosby and more. The Newark citizens embraced the entire week of festivities. Many were involved but perhaps none more so than the women of Newark who spent the long winter months making the crepe paper roses that decorated the floats and kiddie parade vehicles. They made thousands of red, pink, yellow, and white roses. They were given free to participants and uniformity in decoration and theme resulted in a parade that exemplified the true definition of the rose – Love and Beauty. The parades continued into the early sixties but the sale of J&P ended the glory years. The roses are still for sale today – www. jacksonandperkins.com This mural was painted by the Newark High School Mural Club during the 2018-2019 School year.

Bikers on the Erie Canal

Canal View Restaurant, Newark

This was just a gray wall with in the summer of 2023 this mural became a window on the current Erie Canal. The Canal View restaurant is right along the current Erie Canal on Union Street in the Village of Newark, this mural was transformed into a mural full of life in the the Erie Canal from the wildlife to people enjoying the Erie Canal for it’s recreational values. This mural was painted by Mural Mania artist, Kaylinda Schuhart, Bailey Kehoe, Mark De Cracker, Joy and Cory Reynolds.