Linden Mural

Drive-by Mural discovery in the hamlet of Linden, California, along Hwy 26 (at Bonham Rd.)  Note the recurring cherry theme, cherie!

Driving back to the SF Bay Area from Calaveras County, a detour took me along the Milton Road, and thence to Hwy. 26, and through Linden. I was impressed by the local high school: a huge, well maintained track/field, a professional looking AG Center, complete with vineyards, together with the usual high school buildings. Driving alone, I played my tunes, and enjoyed the California agricultural scenery passing by: Cherry orchards, rolling pasture lands, spreading walnut trees  in row after row, corn stalks taller than my hands reaching for the sky. I like seeing the plants that nourish us each year, and felt grateful. I pulled a quick right turn on Bonham when I saw this mural, and I must say it is a nice contrast to the urban-themed murals one finds in SF, Oakland and San Jose.

N. San Juan Mural

 Bigley's Market & Brass Rail Tavern
29336 HWY 49 at Flume Street

N. San Juan, CA

Out along Hwy 49, you'll find the forested community of N. San Juan.  There's not a lot here, and frankly, that's part of the charm. Yet, arriving early for a rendez-vous at Bigley's Market & Brass Rail Tavern, I discovered these murals. The first one, on the east side of the bldg. commemorates a local personage, "Smiley", pictured in the center. The remaining scenes touch on local themes of the Chinese Immigrant in early California, as well as the Cherry Carnival.

This is the west end of the building; the mural here is obscured by cardboard and debris.  Both murals are beginning to deteriorate; I was unable to locate detailed info for either mural.

June 20, 2010