Viva Cuba designed this logo to symbolize the city's involvement with the mural program.

Viva Cuba designed this logo to symbolize the city's involvement with the mural program.

• 1984 Began Annual Beautification Day. Entire community involved in maintaining ongoing projects and planning new ones: 2009 was the 25th beautification day.

• 1987 Major thoroughfare through Cuba (Hwy. 19) became the first Adopt-a-Highway in Missouri. Viva Cuba adopted and landscaped 1.5 mile stretch at a cost of $30,185. It was a joint effort with the City of Cuba, Cuba Arts Council, and Adopt-a-Tree program. Most funds were from a “Cubalot” dinner auction. Trimming remains the responsibility of Viva Cuba. Mowing and trash pickup funded by City of Cuba and Peoples Bank.

• 1989 Won Governor’s Treescape Award.

• 1992 Established Viva Cuba Garden at intersection of Hwy. 19 and Washington St. (old Rte 66.) Purchased lot and landscaped. Over 15 major local contributors, as well as individuals that purchased personalized bricks for the walkway.

• 1995 Purchased 30 candle Christmas wreaths ($15,600). Various businesses donated generously.

• 1996 Purchased 50 new Viva Cuba banners for Hwy. 19 and 25 historic Route 66 banners for old Route 66 (Washington St.) Cost $10,765.

• 1996 Assisted the new high school with landscaping plan and helped raise the funds.

• Planted trees at the Industrial Park.

• 2000 “Growing Together” program at I-44 and Hwy. 19 interchange. Cost: $7.000. Funding from Viva Cuba, local businesses, and city of Cuba.

• 2001- 2007 Route 66 Mural Project : Started in 2001 when Peoples Bank commemorated its 100th birthday by painting a mural of the bank’s first cashier and long-time president. Viva Cuba adopted a public art project to complete 12 murals along Route 66 in Cuba. Each mural portrays an intriguing scene from Cuba’s heritage, from dramatic Civil War battles to a mysterious stopover by Amelia Earhart. A campaign appearance by Harry S Truman and an unauthorized photo of Bette Davis add to the mystique. This multi-year project would involve thousands of man-hours of work and thousands of gallons of paint and provide opportunities for local and nationally known artists. The Missouri legislature has proclaimed Cuba, “Route 66 Mural City.” Viva Cuba has provided a mural curriculum for fourth graders on each of the 12 murals.

• 2002 Mural project fundraisers: Sing Out for Murals Variety Show and Cruisin’ Route 66 Dinner Auction

• 2002 First bus tour was given. Since then, many groups have taken guided mural tours, including a narrated walking tour offered for 8-12 year olds. Each fall, we offer free guided trolley tours during Cuba Fest.

• 2003 Route 66 Mural City logo adopted

• 2007-2008 Viva Cuba Garden was re-landscaped and sprinkler system installed.  A new brick wall was built and a historical train sculpture was commissioned. In the fall of 2008, the traffic control boxes adjacent to the Viva Cuba Garden were painted by a St. Louis artist. The public art is entitled, “Walking to the Train.” These are the only state-owned traffic control boxes that MoDOT has given permission to be painted.

• 2007 Designed a personalized Route 66 Mural City Candy Bar/Redesigned the wrapper in 2009

• 2009 New website launched www.cubamomurals.com , an interactive website

• 2009 is the 25th anniversary of Viva Cuba

What will the future bring? Viva Cuba always has a list of projects under consideration or  underway.  Give us your beautification ideas for beautifying Cuba.

The original Viva Cuba logo was used on banners, t-shirts, city vehicles and symbolized Viva Cuba's beautification efforts.

The original Viva Cuba logo was used on banners, t-shirts, city vehicles and symbolized Viva Cuba's beautification efforts.