Ironton’s floodwall murals will soon have a fresh look.

Thursday, October 19, 2000

Ironton’s floodwall murals will soon have a fresh look.

The River Cities Mural Committee has begun a touch-up project to restore the paintings.

The cleanup of the murals also will clear the way for at least one additional history portrait, Ironton City Council chairman Jim Tordiff said.

"We resurrected the River Cities Mural Committee last Thursday and everyone has agreed to resurrect the project once again," Tordiff said. "It looks as though there will be an effort to touch up work that needs to be done to several of the existing murals."

Several of the history-telling portraits are at least nine years old and are in need for repair, he said.

"We do have a couple that have been vandalized over the years," he said. "We’ve not had as much trouble with vandals as what we originally thought we would. Some of the murals are just getting a little old and need a little touch-up work."

Ironton Mayor Bob Cleary agreed, adding that two of the murals have received minor damage as a result of vandalism.

"Two murals have received minimal damage," Cleary said. "We try to put police protection down there as often as we can. The whole intent of the murals on the floodwall is to depict Ironton’s culture and history changes through the different phases. I only hope people can take pride in this history."

Cleary said the project will continue to to be funded by donations from civic groups and organizations.

"Each mural in Ironton runs anywhere from $2,500 to $3,500 to be put on the wall," he said. "I’m not sure what repairs are going to cost, but that will all still be donation and not city money."

Tordiff said the project will start in the "not-so-distant future."

"This is always a very fun project and there’s not a whole lot of criticism from the public," he said. "There is no tax money involved because it is all done by donation. The Purple Heart committee is actively seeking to place a mural on the wall that lists the names of veterans from World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War."

Cleary said the new project will be "touching."

"When you think of the service people, it doesn’t really hit home until you see all the names of soldiers that have made that sacrifice," he said. "The committee is hoping to have the war memorial mural completed by Memorial Day. I think the whole project is real encouraging."