The well known historical mural at Morgan Junction depicting the neighborhood as it might have looked in the 1930's has now been fully restored by artist Bob Henry. Henry, who has been painting for more than 40 years said the project took a full 21 days of off and on work with delays for weather. It was funded by a generous donation from the late Earl Cruzen. Full coverage of the dedication ceremony can be seen here.

Henry has more mural restoration in his future with the Mosquito Boat Landing on California Ave SW up next pending some details being ironed out.

In a series of clever inclusions Henry paid homage to the original benefactor behind the murals, the original artists assistant and even painted himself into the composition. Earl Cruzen's name is on the license place of a car,  while Moe Beerman is honored with another license plate saying MOE752. Henry himself is at the far right shown walking away after a job well done.

At the request and advice of many onlookers who stopped by during the restoration, Henry included people of color in the composition making the final mural diverse and inclusive while still historically accurate. A special UV (ultra violet) coating has been applied to help the paints resist fading and flaking.

You can see more of Bob's work on his website www.muralmastersnw.com or catch him on Facebook at BK Painters.

This is the first of eleven murals to be restored and nearly $100,000 more is needed to complete the work

Full restoration of the murals will cost in the neighborhood of $195,000, Swift says, and additional funds will be raised via crowd-funding and other methods.

The West Seattle Junction Association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and contributions to the association for the mural-restoration fund are tax-deductible. You can make even a small donation at this link http://wsjunction.org/history

The goal is to raise funds not only to restore the existing murals but also to recreate the “Midnight Call” mural. Lora Swift of the West Seattle Junction Association and Dan Austin, owner of Peel and Press (and the Flightpath Tavern in Boulevard Park) aim to establish a yearly fundraising event to maintain the condition of existing murals and add new ones.

More background on the Murals of West Seattle is available at this web page of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society: http://www.loghousemuseum.org/blog/what-is-the-future-of-the-murals-of-west-seattle/.

An obituary and eulogy for Earl Cruzen is available at this web page of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society: http://www.loghousemuseum.org/blog/advisory-council-member-earl-cruzen-father-of-the-murals-of-west-seattle-has-died/.

Here is a complete list of the Murals of West Seattle, in chronological order of their creation in 1989-1993:

Mural #1: West Seattle Ferries by Bill Garnet
4707 CALIFORNIA AVE SW

Mural #2: The Junction by Eric Grohe
4747 CALIFORNIA AVE SW

Mural #3: Midnight Call by Don Barrie (removed in 2016)
4713 44TH AVE SW

Mural #4: Mosquito Boat Landing by Susan Tooke
4554 CALIFORNIA AVE SW

Mural #5: The First Duwamish Bridge by Robert Dafford
4740 44TH AVE SW

Mural #6: Morgan Street Market by Bruce Rickett (NOW RESTORED)
6501 CALIFORNIA AVE SW 98136

Mural #7: Alki in the Twenties by Bruce Rickett (re-created in 2016)
4755 FAUNTLEROY WAY SW

Mural #8: Tuesday Bank Day by Alan Wylie
4501 CALIFORNIA AVE SW

Mural #9: The Hi Yu Parade by Lanny Little
4412 CALIFORNIA AVE SW

Mural #10: The Old Mud Hole by Mike Svob
4520 44TH AVE SW

Mural #11: Press Day by Alan Wylie
4727 44TH AVE SW