Tehachapi Murals

Historic Mural Restoration

Tehachapi Murals is working towards preserving the beauty and significance of Tehachapi’s historic murals. This is a process that requires careful attention to detail and a deep respect for the artwork's original intent. The restoration process involves a delicate balance of cleaning, repairing, and repainting to bring the mural back to its former glory. Skilled artists work tirelessly ion these treasured pieces of history and the stories they tell. By investing in the restoration of historic murals, we not only preserve our cultural heritage but also enrich our communities with beauty, history, and inspiration.

Tina Dilly, Mural Advisor

Charles White, Historian

Jeanette Pauer, Chairmen

Lyn Bennet, Mural Restorationist

Meet The Team

Tina Dilly, Charles White, Jeanette Pauer, and Lyn Bennett have created a group that focuses on the creation and protection of the Tehachapi Murals.

Tina Dilly is an experienced artist and muralist in Tehachapi. Charles White was the leading force in bringing the murals to Tehachapi. His knowledge of art and local history has made him a natural leader. Jeanette Pauer is an artist and an experienced community organizer. Lyn Bennet is a local artist and muralist who is experienced in the restoration of murals.

Together this team is working to protect and create Murals in our community.

UNDER RESTORATION AND REPAIR STARTING JUNE 2024

1915 Street Dance

Painted by Phil Slager in 2004

A street dance held in 1915 commemorated the first electric streetlights installed in Tehachapi. The site of the dance was the corner of Green and F streets. The building there housed the Masonic Lodge and post office in 1915. Faces of current local residents, and those from the history of Tehachapi, were chosen to incorporate into the scene. The faces represent five former mayors, other old-time residents as well as current residents, one child and a dog. The fire hydrant with a straw hat tossed casually on top is from the original photo.

Water can quickly cause damage to the murals. The photos shown were taken over a 3 month time period in the spring of 2024. Tehachapi Murals was created to protect and restore the murals due to a high risk of loss.

OUR GOAL for 2024 is to repair and seal every mural in Tehachapi.

Red Front Blacksmith Shop

Painted by Lyn Bennet 2006

The original Red Front Blacksmith Shop was located directly across the street from this mural. The workers pictured represent many local ranching families. The images in the ovals next to the building show scenes from Tehachapi’s ranking history. The outside ovals show working blacksmiths in their shops. All images were taken from old photographs. A few of the well-known local cattle brands and the names of the ranchers are shown in the box.

Repairs starting October 2024

People of the Mountains: The Nuwa Tribe

Painted by Colleen Mitchel- Veyna 2004

In this village scene from before contact with Europeans, women weave baskets and grind foodstuffs in bedrock mortars. Children play games, as the men make tools and weave rabbit-pelts blankets. The borader shows more recent members and elders of the tribe, and baskets for which the local Indians were known. The background includes local pictoglyphs, a natural lake and the natural vegetation still visible in the area, such as cattails and rushes. The domed huts are called kahni, which means “house” in the Ksawaisu or Nuwa language.

The Legend of Avelino Martinez

Painted by Bev Doolitttle 2007

This mural depicts a cowboy who worked for a famous outlaw. Martinez came from Mexico with a group of drovers as a 13 year old. Of Mexican, Native American and Chinese descent, he stood 4 feet 4incehes tall. he worked as a horse groomer for legendary outlaw Joaquin Murrieta until 1853 when Hurrieta was captured. He then worked at Ranch Tejon until 1920 before moving to Cummings Ranch in Tehancahpi until his death in 1936, reportedly at the age of 112.

RESTORED MAY 2024

USPS Air Mail

Painted by Mark Pestana 2007

Mark Pestana, noted test pilot and Tehachapi resident, and completed in 2007. It is located on the front of the Hitching Post Theater and commemorates the building as the site of the original Tehachapi post office, constructed after the 1952 earthquake. An original architectural feature of the wall is the inset relief of an eagle, a sculptural element that is incorporated into the envelope.

Cement Plant at Monolith

Painted by Art Mortimer2008

This mural was designed and painted to display the importance of the cement plant and the township of Monolith to the hisory of Tehachapi. It was created based on vintage photosgraphs by Art Mortimer and celebrated the 100th anniversary of the plant, where production began in 1808 by the city of Los Angeles for cement that was used in building the Los Angeles Aqueduct.

BeeKay Mural

Painted by Colleen Mitchell Veyna 2011

The latest of Tehachapi’s murals, it was completed i 2011 and is on the side of the BeeKay Theatre adjacent t the newly developed Centennial Plaza. The mural was more than eight years in the planning and celebrates history of the theater originally built by Frank Baumgart and Lou Kanstein, the name coming from their initials. The artist was Colleen Mitchell Veyna. The people waiting in line to buy tickets are all locals whose families chose to honor them by including them in the mural. Those in line come from different eras but, for the sake of uniformity, are all depicted in the 1940's style clothing

T-Hatcha-P Brand

Art Mortimer and Tehachapi Artists 2005

The T-Hatcha-P Brand Logo originally designed by Art Mortimer, painted by Tehachapi Artis in 2005. The T-Hatcha-P logo was taken from an early fruit crate label. The steam powered combine shown is followed by a horse-drawn water wagon with Tehachapi Peak in the background. Jake Jacobsen, a former mayor and civic leader, along with his brother Rolf, built this seed-packing shed. The funnel still seen on the roof of the building, directed seeds into a hopper which you can see inside the building. In the pas, Tehachapi has seen the producion of seeds for many divine crops.

Coming

soom

Local aviation artist Mark Pestana is preparing to craft a patriotic mural outside the VFW. Stay tuned for further updates!

Visit his website to discover more about Mark.

https://pestanafineart.wordpress.com

Support the Preservation and Creation of Tehachapi Murals

We will soon launch an online donation option. In the meantime, feel free to stop by Gallery and Gifts to make a donation in person.