Murals of Chillicothe

This mural depicts Chillicothe’s oldest existing business as it looked in 1910. Milbank Mills was founded in 1867 by George Milbank and is currently managed by a 4th generation Milbank. In 1904, during a visit to the St. Louis World’s Fair, John T. Milbank purchased a new type of steam engine and had it shipped to Chillicothe, where it powered the mill for the next 30 years.

Original painting by Kelly Poling in 2009. Maintenance and refresh by Main Street Chillicothe and artist Jacob Duncan in 2022.

This mural is located in approximately the same place where the original storefront was situated. The Palace of Fashion mural showcases an early 1900s women’s apparel and hat store. 

Original painting by Kelly Poling September, 2005. Maintenance and refresh by Main Street Chillicothe & artist Scott Rule in Sept, 2023.

This mural shows Webster Street in 1916. This mural was painted in 2000 and was the catalyst to the Mural Program in Chillicothe.

Original painting by Kelly Poling. Refreshed by Scott Rule in July 2024.

The Livingston County Library moves outside. Many famous books in the mural can still be checked out today. A mural that people can look at for hours and each time find something different. This mural stands 32ft tall by 84ft long & honors Lillian DesMarias, a retired Livingston County librarian. There is a spot on the globe which represents Grundy Center, Iowa, where Miss DesMarias was raised.

Original painting by Kelly Poling in 2015

Perhaps Chillicothe’s most sought-after mural, this lively scene of historic Locust Street is adorned with the logo of Chillicothe’s claim to fame as the Home of Sliced Bread. The first mechanized bread-slicing machine, invented by Otto Rohwedder, was used on July 7, 1928, at the Chillicothe Baking Company owned & operated by Frank Bench. This life-altering invention proved to be a great success with a 2000% increase in bread sales within the first week of its debut. 

Original painting by Kelly Poling.

The Leeper Hotel, built in 1884 by Andrew Leeper and Sidney McWilliams, was Chillicothe's grandest hotel and a downtown landmark for over a century. In 1929, a fourth story and new brick facade were added, elevating its grandeur.

This mural showcases two views of the building—80 years apart—and honors other lost treasures of Chillicothe.

Original painting by Jacob Duncan.

This mural showcases pieces of Chillicothe’s history including some multi-generational businesses still in existence. What was once a blank wall now paints a portrait of many life stories and serves as a community conversation piece.

Original painting by Kelly Poling.

Chillicothe was a point of convergence for three railroads serving northern Missouri. The railroad company logos represent the lines that served Chillicothe since 1857. This mural depicts a steam engine from the first railroad chugging into Chillicothe, pre-Civil War era.

Original painting by Kelly Poling 2003.

The scenes depicted in this mural, circa 1886 to the 1920’s, show the fire department’s equipment and operations over the early decades of existence. The team of horses, Joe and Dan, set the world’s record in 1898 for their speed in responding to a fire.

Original painting by Kelly Poling.

This three-dimensional mural was designed by Sherwood Patek, whose family owned and operated Midland Tile & Brick for over 35 years.

Original painting by Kelly Poling in 2006.

This mural depicts the newly remodeled lobby of Citizens Bank and Trust circa 1907. Citizens was established in 1889 serving Chillicothe and the surrounding area 133 years.

Original painting by Kelly Poling.

“Kids Throughout the Decades” is the theme. Local Girl Scouts selected the mural that served as their Gold Award Project. The scrapbook-style mural features pictures that show how kids lived and played during the 1800s-1930s.

Original painting by Kelly Poling.

These window scenes depict a multi-generational barbershop. The Clipper is still a family business today. This once-blank wall now depicts the rich history of barbers in this downtown business.

Original painting by Kelly Poling

Chillicothe Business College was open from 1890-1950s. Graduates fondly remember seeing advertisements that spanned from California to Missouri calculating the number of miles to CBC.

Painted by Kelly Poling.

Livingston County’s rich connection with the outdoors is illustrated in this unique two-sided mural. The bridge portrayed in the back-ground was a major key in the success of the Pony Express. Mail was transported to St. Joseph on the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad that crossed that very bridge.

Painted by Kelly Poling.

The Edge Mar Dairy was a prominent dairy in Chillicothe in the early 20th Century owned by Edgerton and Mary Welch and known for its great customer service. this is Chillicothe’s longest mural measuring 108 feet.

Painted by Kelly Poling in 2015.

Chillicothe has always had a strong support for the arts from the community and organizations. Honoring this tradition, and paying tribute to local muralist Kelly Poling, Cultural Corner Art Guild commissioned Poling’s 60th mural, insisting he portray himself inside the mural. This was the last mural Kelly painted before he passed in 2018. This area is now known as the Kelly Poling Arts District.

Original painting by Kelly Poling.

This recreation of a “ghost sign” hearkens back to previous occupants of the building circa 1920s. The Building has had many uses including a barber shop, lawyer’s office, furniture store, undertaker’s parlor, millinery, and brothel.

Original painting by Kelly Poling.

This mural was chosen based on an 1890 postcard of Locust Street in its prime. As you travel down the streets of downtown Chillicothe, let your minds eye take you to a time of horse & carriage, railroad cards and friendly passerby.

Painted by Kelly Poling.

Created from an original painting by Fred Irvin, this scene portrays a pre-World War Chillicothe setting. The Milwaukee Depot serves as the backdrop for period vehicles and a drawn streetcar used to transport patrons to the station.

This mural portrays an early 20th century harvest season, complete with the “Jenkins Hay Rake” which was designed, built, and sold in Chillicothe. The mural is accented with a steam,-powered tractor, threshing machine, log cabin, barn, and covered wagon. This mural was a community effort with help from Scott Rule and John Irvin.

Painted by Kelly Poling, Scott Rule, and John Irvin.