Blawnox Hoboken Line Mural by multiple artists

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Lucas Stock said that The themes represented are local history and hope for the future. Yuri Von and Ron Esser did historical research on the area’s industry, inventions, architecture including schools, churches, factory buildings, train lines, the companies that operated in Blawnox, the local workforce, working conditions, working class culture and their traditions. The train in the foreground is the Hoboken Line that used to run through the area’s factory lines.

Right away you notice the industrial side on the left half is done in hot colors, with an abrupt transition to the cool blues of the community on the right side. You can almost feel the heat of the mills and the railroad yard on a summer day.

Why does the train say Hoboken?

From Wikipedia:
"The town was originally founded in the late 18th century, with the name Hoboken PA. Steel was the community's major industry, with the area being home to both the Blaw Steel Co. and the Knox Welded and Pressed Steel Co. When the Blaw Steel Co. acquired the Knox Welded and Pressed Steel Co. in 1917, the company became known as the Blaw-Knox Steel Construction Co.

When Hoboken PA was required by the Post Office to change its name because Hoboken, New Jersey had a prior claim to the same name, the management of the Blaw-Knox Steel Construction Co. asked the people of the town to change the name to Blawnox, and the residents did."

Lucas Stock was kind enough to send us a photograph from when they were painting this mural:

Photo by Lucas Stock.

Proud of Our Heritage by Rich Boniker, Peter Theofilis

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Traveling southbound on Allegheny River Blvd, this mural depicting elements of Verona’s history will greet you as you enter the business district. It’s just south of the town’s Veterans Memorial Park.

According to a Post–Gazette article by Teresita Kolenchak, the Verona Chamber of Commerce wanted new signs and local artist Rich Boniker suggested the mural. Using the new town slogan Proud of Our Heritage Mr Boniker and fellow artist Peter Theofilis created the mural using the 1971 Verona Centennial Book as a reference. At one time Verona had four train stations and pretty much everything revolved around the railroads.

From 1952 until 2007 Verona had a Doughboy statue in the Veterans Memorial Park about a block from this mural. The statue is included on the left side of the mural.

The rest of the mural is all about the railroad – just as the town was. The crossing sign is not painted on – it’s a sign mounted to the wall. A barge on the river is more background than subject.

The mural makes a very nice welcome sign for Verona and reminds visitors of how important the railroad was to this town, even with it’s proximity to the Allegheny River.

Windows to Our Future, Portals from the Past by Berry Breene

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Although this mural is done on the back side of a building, it overlooks an open parking lot on the next street down and is positioned perfectly to be seen by anyone entering Trafford via the Fifth St Bridge. In an interview for the Tribune Review, the artist told writer Ashleigh Chicko that she was excited to do this project because she liked the idea of trying to help the communities envision a new future of sorts. Raised in Oil City, Mz Breene felt she understood Trafford and that type of post-industrial, small town.

The train in the mural was something the community really wanted. Trains were the primary reason Westinghouse established a factory in Trafford and it was important to the area. The residents also wanted their local park (B Y Recreational Park) represented. The park has a lake with fishing for Flathead Catfish, Bullhead, Bluegill, Carp and Crappie.

Trainscape: Community and Industry by Anthony Purcell

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Creating this mural turned out to be educational for this artist. It was a learning experience regarding the public relations aspect of doing a public art piece. He discovered that there was a lot he didn't know. As a Sprout Fund mural, the local community had provided a committee to select and approve the artist and the design. Mr Purcell did a little research and found out that Swissvale had a history of industry revolving around steel and railroads. He designed the mural to show some of that history and when the committee approved his design so he set out to create the mural. The bold, colorful images were meant to be cheerful, positive influences in the neighborhood.

As he began painting, Anthony Purcell soon discovered that the committee did not mirror the local citizens in their opinions. As it turned out, that history of the railroad industry in town had ended on a very bitter note. The railroad pulled out in the early 80's and abandoned the town. Some of the citizens resented that and did not like seeing the train as the focal point in the new mural. There was also some dissension with the colors. The vibrant colors were loved by many, but not all. Some of the nearby businesses weren't happy with that look.

Mr Purcell said that Making good artwork is about making good choices, and the next time he does a mural like that he will be doing more research before he makes his design choices. He decided that he needs to know more than just the historic facts about the area. He said that it's necessary to understand the local perceptions before choosing the subject of the art, and he also realized that he needed to consider who had to literally live with the design. While most would only view it for a minute while driving or walking past, the homes and businesses across from it would see it constantly. He thinks that their preferences should be considered before the final design and colors are settled on.

We thought this mural was terrific and well worth going out to Swissvale to see. We hope it's grown on the people that weren't completely happy at the start, because it certainly does add a beautiful, cheerful spot in the neighborhood. I'd certainly enjoy having one like it in my neighborhood.