July 10, 2024 |
Photo – Cliff Smith with the Medicine Bow high school’s mural of the mascot – By Matt Copeland Bigfoot99
Town officials in Medicine Bow are considering what to do with and how to display a historic mural that once held down a proud spot at high school sporting events.
In 1969, the Medicine Bow High School student body hired the town’s postmaster, Ellen Smith, to create a mural of the school’s mascot: The Medicine Bow Wrangler. The high school was closed in the late 90’s due to a lack of students.
During Monday’s Medicine Bow town council meeting, Ellen Smith’s son, Cliff Smith told the governing body that he and his brother, Toby, cut the Wrangler mural out of the school’s floor before the building was demolished. Smith said he is still in possession of the 55-year-old mural.
Smith explained to Bigfoot99 that in 1968, the Medicine Bow High School student body hired a person to install a tile mural of the Wrangler. However, the individual took the school’s money and disappeared.
With no other recourse available, Smith said the student body contacted his mother, Ellen, to finish the project. With the help of family and friends, Ellen painstakingly recreated the school’s mascot using eight-inch linoleum tiles.
The six-by-four-foot tile mural depicts a cowboy wearing a red vest, red chaps, and a large black hat. Every piece of the mural is hand cut from linoleum tile. Smith said his mother, uncle, and a family friend installed the mural in a single evening.
Smith said the Wrangler was treated with respect by Medicine Bow high school students. The mural needed to be saved because it is an important part of the town and his family, said Smith.
Smith said he and his brother, Toby, cut the mural out of the facility’s floor when the school was closing and moved the one-ton slab of concrete to his garage. Smith and his brother then fabricated a steel frame to hold the Wrangler upright.
Back at Monday’s Medicine Bow town council meeting, Smith said he wants to display the historic Wrangler mural in public. According to Smith, the town’s museum and community center are unable to accommodate the size and weight of the art piece.
Smith said the 55-year-old tile artwork is likely to contain asbestos, meaning the public will need to be prevented from touching the mural.
The town council discussed where the Wrangler could be placed. Clerk Treasurer Karen Heath suggested using the community center parking lot. However, a lighted display case of some kind will need to be constructed to house the art piece.
Smith said no matter where the Wrangler ends up, the town should collect as much information about the mural as possible.
The Medicine Bow town will continue to investigate the best location to display the historic art piece.
Visit Bigfoot99.com later today to see a picture of the Medicine Bow Wrangler mural.
