Murrill's mural depicts Carter Coutnty's industrial history

ELIZABETHTON — The latest mural in downtown Elizabethton is now being created in one of the most strategic locations. Since Elk Avenue is a one-way street, every vehicle must enter downtown from the west. The mural stands as one of the very first seen on the left side at the entrance. Muralist Jon Murrill was more than half way done with the creation when he stopped to talk about the project with the Johnson City Press. He said the theme of the new mural is to celebrate the industrial history of the Carter County. At the center position of the mural is the illustration of the historic sign that once dominated the eastern end of Elk Avenue. The tall sign proclaimed "The City of Power" On the right side of the "City of Power" sign is the image of woman factory worker standing outside, with the tall chimney with the word "Bemberg" painted on it. On the left side of the mural, Engine No. 11, the narrow gauge locomotive that was part of the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad fleet. One of the main reasons for the creation of the railroad was to haul iron ore from the Cranberry Mine in North Carolina to Johnson City. On the far right of the mural stands a water mill, depicting the many early mills that operated on the Doe and Watauga rivers in Carter County. Murrill said the woman in the mural represents both the men and women who have toiled in the industrial plants of Elizabethton. He said that while both worked in the plants, at one of its most critical times, during World War II, many of the men went off to serve in the nation's armed forces. He said the women stayed on and were joined by other women to keep the plants going at full capacity. He said the woman figure also honors the many women who are downtown business owners in Elizabethton. Murrill said No. 11 was more than a transporter of materials and cargo to and from the plants. He said many of the men and women who worked in the Elizabethton plants used the train to commute from their homes and farms. The train may have been called a short line railroad, but it travelled through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Eastern United States, including Doe River Gorge. Murrill has created many murals during his career, going as far as Brazil for one assignment, but he usually stays a lot closer to home. Murrill is from Roanoke, Va. and does most of his work in the Appalachian region and the Blue Ridge. Even with that focus, this is Murrill's first assignment in Tennessee. Murrill said he was selected by Main Street Elizabethton to create the mural. The organization's director, Courtney Bean, said "Main Street Elizabethton has been prioritizing the addition of public art that highlights the wonderful things about the community, like outdoor recreation and history/heritage. We are so excited that this mural is showcasing industrial history and its importance to Elizabethton. Artist Jon Murrill is doing a wonderful job portraying the diverse landscape of industry here, such as the role women played in the rayon industry." Bean said this is the fifth mural that Main Street Elizabethton has been able to commission, thanks to funding from the Tennessee Arts Commission Rural Arts Project Support Grant. Part of the funding for the latest grant also came from Main Street Elizabethton and from Tailored Hair Company, owned by Tayler Nidiffer, in partnership with the City of Elizabethton. Bean said Nidiffer wanted a mural on the side of her building and she wanted one that was about the history of the community. Bean said the other murals supported by the grants included one that depicts the wildlife found in Carter County. She said there is one more which celebrates the county's history. That one was a series of events of local history created by several local artists and displayed on the side of the former Elizabethton Ice House storage building. The dedication of Murrill's creation will be held at 1 p.m. on March 30, Bean said.