The boxes use to be shiny but not too decorative.
The boxes stood watch over the intersection in all their utilitarian glory.
Pre-2008, the state traffic control boxes at the intersection of Hwy. 19 and Route 66 in Cuba, MO were just utilitarian boxes used to store the technical instruments to regulate the traffic lights at the 4-way intersection.
The Viva Cuba Garden, next to the boxes, had been re-landscaped, Glen and Curtis Tutterrow had fabricated the 1873 Train Replica, and Viva Cuba decided it would be a good idea to paint the traffic control boxes with a train-related theme. In 1857, Cuba had been surveyed in anticipation of the train coming to the area. The train was instrumental to Cuba’s economic development.
MoDOT is in charge of the control boxes, and it was necessary to get permission to paint the boxes. In the process, Viva Cuba found out that there were no state-owned boxes painted anywhere in Missouri. The boxes that Viva Cuba members had admired in Clayton were owned by the city of Clayton, not MoDOT. However, MoDOT, with certain conditions, gave permission for the painting.
Viva Cuba put out a call for artists and bids for the project. Missouri artist Julie Wiegand received the commission. Her sketch of a turn-of-the-century scene called “Waiting for the Train” fit in to the overall train-themed corner.
Julie Wiegand and her dog Emma spent some hot days painting in Cuba.
Wiegand, originally from Chesterfield, now lives in the old Lyon Schoolhouse, about 10 miles from New Haven, Missouri. She also has her studio there where visitors can make appointments to view her art.
Accompanied by her dog Emma, Wiegand came to Cuba to transform the plain traffic control boxes in to colorful additions to the busy intersection.
Backed up with some beautiful roses, the boxes now provide a burst of color to the corner.
The back side of the box reverses the scene on the front of the boxes. Emma seems to approve.
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