Have you heard about Raton's WPA murals? These beautiful works of art were created during the Great Depression as part of the Works Progress Administration, providing employment to artists while also adding cultural value to communities.
Did you know that today, we only have access to five locations in town with WPA paintings. One is at the Miners Long Term Care Facility. In 2012, the El Portal, a historic hotel and building, burned down along with a handful of WPA murals in its lobby.
Shuler Theater
The Shuler is home to most of these intricate and vibrant murals. The Shuler’s murals depict scenes from local history and are a must-see for anyone visiting Raton. Additionally, the large curtain is painted completely by watercolor depicting the Cimarron Palisades Sill.
Arthur Johnson Library
The Library holds several paintings that hang across the building. Most of the photos are labeled with gold plaques that note “Public Works of Art Project.”
The Raton Post Office
When the New Deal was signed, most of the WPA murals were painted inside the post offices. Raton commissioned two paintings in our post office. One mural still resides in the lobby.
The Raton Museum
At present, the “Fist Mail Crossing Raton Pass” is located in the post office, but its original companion, “Unloaded the Mail in Raton,” is now home to the Raton Museum just as you enter the building.
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