Murals of Steubenville are worth a visit

People looking for something to do as spring comes around could take advantage of the warmer weather and see the many murals in the town of Steubenville.

Steubenville is also known as the “City of Murals” and is the home of twenty-five paintings that cover the walls of buildings.

Many of these murals can be seen by walking around Steubenville; another option is to take the online audio tour, created by Franciscan University professors David Schaefer and Monica Anderson and owned by the Franciscan University communication arts department.

Observers of these murals can see Dean Martin, an old steel mill, and the Central Recreation Center. They can also see images of a steamboat on the Ohio River, the Rotary Club, and Saint John Newman, among many others.

Not only are the murals admirable pieces of artwork, they also offer a deeper insight and understanding to the history of Steubenville, especially when observed with the audio tour.

“Old Reliance Firehouse” depicts the days when a steampumper, drawn by horse and wagon, was used to fight fires but also serves to remind people of the services of firefighters such as Alexander Bickerstaff, who, in 1885, was the first volunteer firefighter to lose his life in Steubenville. “Banking Pioneers” is a mural of Union Deposit Bank, but it also shows former bank president D. J. Sinclair, who was shot twice in the abdomen by Charlie Gilmore, a deranged gunman who wanted $20,000.

Unfortunately, people may not have the opportunity to see all of Steubenville’s murals for an unlimited time.  According to the Herald Star’s article, “Murals are in danger,” written by Dave Gossett, the building which provides a wall for the “High Shaft” mural and another wall for a mural of Jesus praying has been condemned.

Several murals have been retouched through the years, including the “Ladies Seminary” and the “Centennial Arch.” The mural “Waiting for the Train” was lost with the demolition of the Ohio Novelty building.