Mural #10

Artist: Anón (Jhonattan and Samantha Arango, 2022)

Location: 131 College Street (37′ x 14′)

Photo: Tom Stugmyer

“MUSIC IS“

“Inspired by the idea of utilizing a musical theme we chose Albert Ayler as a subject for the College Street mural, a larger-than life saxophonist and jazz legend—also known as “The Godfather of Free Jazz”—who was born and raised near Cleveland, OH. Coming out of the saxophone are giant, native flowers that continue blooming onto the Lyman mural. The bright colors and
strong contrast of forms creates a visual dance that you can almost hear. The scene is celebratory, highlighting the history that
Ohio played in the early days of Jazz music. The title “Music is” appears underneath and carries the style onto N. Lyman’s mural to further bridge the connection between the two.” -Anón

Mural #9

Artist: Tim Carmany, 2021

Location: 119-123 Broad Street

“Wadsworth’s Connections to Space”

This immersive two-sided alley mural spans over 100 feet and tells the story of Wadsworth’s connections to outer space. From images of shuttles that are built from parts produced by aeronautics companies headquartered in Wadsworth, to the celebration of Wadsworth’s hometown astronaut Mike Foreman, this mural is truly “out of this world.” Illuminated by a unique Edison light design at night, the mural has a completely different look in the dark, with its planets nearly popping off of the walls. Pay close attention to the reflections in the astronauts’ helmets–what do you see? Finally, this mural features a unique 3D element–a real American flag. Enjoy Wadsworth’s newest photo op in the alley between Dolce at The Strand and Dr. Boyer.

Mural #7

Artist: Paulette Grubb, 2020

Location: 116 High Street

“KREIDER HOTEL“

Once located just north of Rise and Grind on High Street, the hotel was a wood structure built in 1894 that burned down 10 years later and was replaced with a brick structure in 1904. It was once the location of a Ben Franklin Store.

Mr. Kreider and his wife are pictured on the front porch. U.S. Presidents William McKinley and Warren G. Harding were registered guests of the hotel, as well as Newton Baker, the United States Secretary of Defense during World War I.  Warren G.Harding and his wife can be found in the front left of the mural. William McKinley and his wife can be found sitting on the bench. 

The hotel had 4 owners and was renamed the Park Hotel before being demolished in the 1960’s.

Mural #6

Artist: Ben Schuh, 2019

Location: 141 Main Street

“Iconic Wadsworth”

“Iconic Wadsworth” was developed to capture the city’s factories that built Wadsworth and to share the history of the City of Wadsworth. It features a unique design celebrating the iconic Ohio Match Company’s Blue Tip Matches. Each of the factories was captured based on historic postcards and designed to tie into the matchbox theme. This mural contains images representing the Ohio Match Company, the Ohio Injector Company and the Wadsworth Salt Company. The two Ohio factories were located just south of this mural on Main Street and currently the buildings have been repurposed into a number of different small businesses. The Wadsworth Salt Company was located just west of Main Street along State Street. The wooden structure burned down in a spectacular fire in the fall of 1938. The salt that was once mined and processed there was known as “The Saltiest Salt.”

Mural #5

Artist: Paulette Grubb, 2019

Location: 116 High Street

“CRACKER BARREL CROWD“

A group of businessmen and politicians who met each morning to discuss news and politics in an alley downtown (today it can be found on the east side of Main Street between Domino’s Pizza and Family Dentistry on the Square).  E.J. Young, seated in the front center, grew up on a farm near Wadsworth in Loyal Oak and was a self-made millionaire who founded the Ohio Match Co. (Blue Tip Matches), the Ohio Injector Co., the Ohio Salt Co, and the Ohio Boxboard Co.

Mural #4

Artist: Paulette Grubb, 2019

Location: 116 High Street

“SILVERCREEK MINE“

Coal was mined initially for heating houses and businesses but with the railway system in 1863 the coal market opened up and became a big business in town.  This era lasted for over 50 years and became a way of life for several generations. At one point in history, Wadsworth was one of the largest mining operations in Ohio!

Mural #3

Artist: Paulette Grubb, 2019

Location: 116 High Street

“TROLLEY CAR“

In 1907 the electric interurban passenger rail lines connected different cities including Wadsworth, Barberton, and Akron.  Pictured in the mural are John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil and once the world’s wealthiest man, and his wife Laura Spelman Rockefeller, who was born in downtown Wadsworth in a house that was once located on the east side of Main Street near the square.

Mural #2

Artist: Paulette Grubb, 2019

Location: 116 High Street

“MCKINLEY BANNER“

A narrow building built in an alley at 120 Main Street, previously Central Repair (a shoe and boot repair shop), is Chuck’s Coin and Gold Exchange today. In this painting the building was decorated for the 1896 Presidential race between William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan. William McKinley was friends with several families in Wadsworth.

Mural #1

Artist: Paulette Grubb, 2019

Location: 116 High Street

“CO-OPERATIVE BUILDING“

A general goods store in downtown Wadsworth in the late 1800’s which sold boots, clothing, groceries. The mural depicts workers, businessmen and customers of that era. It was located on the east side of  Main Street and is currently occupied by Domino’s Pizza.