Visitors Center Mural

Location

101 E. Route 66
Flagstaff Visitor Center, historic downtown train station, Route 66

Created in 2016, Visitor Center Mural offers a glimpse into downtown Flagstaff during the mid-1920s, when the railroad played a central role in the community’s development. Located inside Flagstaff’s historic train station, the mural recreates the view north of the railroad tracks, highlighting several important buildings that helped shape the growing town.

Featured landmarks include the Babbitt Brothers Building (1888), Weatherford Hotel (1900), Coconino County Courthouse (1893), and Hotel Monte Vista (1926). All four buildings remain standing today, connecting Flagstaff’s past with its present. The mural invites viewers to imagine the bustling streets, businesses, and railroad activity of an earlier era while recognizing familiar landmarks that continue to define downtown Flagstaff.

About the Artwork

About the Artists

R.E. Wall and Margaret Dewar are the creative partners behind Mural Mice Universal, an artist team known for colorful, imaginative murals that celebrate local history, culture, and community identity. Their work combines storytelling, historical research, and detailed painting to transform ordinary public spaces into engaging visual experiences. The artists have created numerous murals throughout Flagstaff, including Community Reflections, Mother Myth Mural, and The Sound of Flight. Their projects often encourage viewers to discover the people, places, and stories that make their communities unique.

Questions for Elementary School Families

This page is a work in progress, more coming soon!

Questions for Secondary School Families

This page is a work in progress, more coming soon!

Preserving Local History: The mural serves as a visual record of Flagstaff during the 1920s, helping residents and visitors understand how the community developed.
The Railroad and Community Growth: Located in the historic train station, the artwork emphasizes the railroad's important role in Flagstaff's early transportation, commerce, and development.
Architecture and Change: By depicting buildings that still stand today, the mural encourages viewers to compare historic Flagstaff with the modern city and consider why preserving historic structures matters.
Art as Historical Storytelling: The artists transform historical information into an engaging visual narrative, making local history accessible to people of all ages.
Sense of Place: The mural strengthens connections between Flagstaff's past and present, reminding viewers that the buildings and streets we encounter every day have stories worth discovering.