New mural to mark turnpike milestone

FREMONT — After a week of battling cold weather, an artist known statewide for painting barns finished a new mural to be revealed Tuesday dedicated to celebrating the Ohio Turnpike's 60th anniversary and honoring President Rutherford B. Hayes of Fremont.

The celebration, scheduled for noon Tuesday at 3675 Fangboner Road, will feature a mural painted by Scott Hagan — better known as the Barn Artist — who is responsible for numerous barn murals in Ohio.

Hagan has been painting logos and murals for 18 years. His mural of Hayes and the turnpike, visible near the Ohio 53 exit on the turnpike, is one of the last murals to be painted in Ohio as part of a program by the Ohio History Connection that started during the bicentennial in March 2003.

Hagan said he got into painting murals by accident after he painted barns with his father growing up. His latest project was completed during a week of unpredictable weather, with Hagan working 14-hour days battling cold weather and high winds from Sept. 28 until he completed the mural Friday.

"I thought about quitting and just doing it the next week," Hagan said while using his body to block high winds.

Along with the turnpike's 60th anniversary logo, Hagan completed a portrait of President Rutherford B. Hayes, the namesake of the nation's first presidential library, founded in Fremont in 1916.

"We're thrilled the turnpike decided to put his image on the barn," said Kristina Smith, marketing and communication director for the Hayes Presidential Center. "It is wonderful that thousands will drive by it. We hope it encourages (turnpike drivers) to come to the center and Spiegel Grove and learn more about him."

Next to the portrait of Hayes are some of his most famous words, "The bold enterprises are the successful ones," a fitting quote as the turnpike has grown into a large employer and multimillion-dollar business in the state.

The 241-mile stretch of road has been a bold enterprise for northern Ohio, generating $500 million annually to the economy, including 950 turnpike jobs and 3,000 more workers affiliated with the 14 service plazas and construction jobs created for road projects.

Adam Greenslade, director of government affairs marketing and communications for the turnpike, said he hopes the mural brings more people to Sandusky County.

"The Hayes Center has been a longtime partner. ... For us, it was to help promote local tourism and the economy," Greenslade said.

cshoup@gannett.com

419-334-1035

Twitter: @CraigShoupNH