Mural reflects Rockford's history

ROCKFORD - Artist Daniel Keyes has painted the first strokes on a mural of historical figures who crossed the St. Marys River near the area that has become Rockford.

The New Bremen resident is painting more than 10 historical figures on four panels, which will be placed on the side of the fire station on Main Street in the downtown area.

The mural will be a highlight of the village's bicentennial celebration and serve as a gateway to the village, said Twyla Hayes, a bicentennial committee member.

Many famous people have crossed the St. Marys River that "was the thoroughfare for traveling and the Interstate 75 of its day," Keyes noted.

In addition to village founder Anthony Shane, Keyes will paint Mahican and Delaware tribe members; French Canadian explorer Celoron de Bienville; the Rev. Joseph de Bonnecamp, who accompanied Bienville as a missionary; Gen. Anthony Wayne; Shane's wife; the Rev. Isaac McCoy; eventual President William Henry Harrison; explorer Maj. Stephen Long; Capt. James Reilly, who founded Willshire, Benjamin Drake; and John Chapman, also known as Johny Appleseed.

Plans for the mural began about four years ago, Hayes said. Committee members wanted it to be historic, not just a pretty picture, and carefully selected Keyes to paint it.

"He is a historian and does wonderful work that speaks for itself in St. Marys, Fort Recovery and Coldwater," she said. "We wanted someone who cares about history."

People were able to view a half-scale diagram of the mural on display during the Community Days festival in June. Unlike painting on a canvas, Keyes said "there are a lot of minute details" on which to focus because the mural is a life-size portrait.

Village administrator Jeff Long expects the mural to be completed in the spring.

"The mural will add something that will be there for many years," he added.

Correction:

The name of Capt. James Riley was misspelled. The error was made in information provided to the newspaper.