HUMBOLDT — If you mix the energy of historian Carolyn Whitaker with the talent of artist Gary Hawk and the manpower of Joe Works, chances are you’ll have success.
On Sunday, the trio unveiled their second joint project, the beginning stages of a mural depicting the Humboldt Brick Manufacturing Co., begun in 1897.
While Works’ great-grandfather, Robert Miller Works, was primarily a farmer, he also had a large interest in the brick company and served as president of the company for a time, Whitaker said.
The 8-foot by 12-foot mural will be placed on the west side of the Southwind Rail Trail, about one-quarter of a mile to the north of a mural of Humboldt’s old train station, which the three brought to life last summer. As with the first, Hawk painted the scene, which is then significantly magnified and reproduced into a billboard-sized poster.
Sunday’s ceremony at Humboldt’s historical museum complex unveiled Hawk’s painting of the brick plant, which came as a surprise to the Workses.
The “elf” behind it all was Whitaker, of course.
“It all started as a conversation with Joe about the old brick plant and how he owns the land where it once was,” Whitaker said. “I pretty much took it from there,” she said with a sheepish grin. Whitaker serves as director of the Humboldt Historic Society and Museum.
Works owns B&W Trailer Hitches, a large manufacturing plant whose land on the north end of Humboldt abuts the rail trail.
At 82, Hawk said he still has a steady hand with a paintbrush.
“Like the Rock of Gibraltar,” said the Iola artist.
“Though I sweated several days just thinking about how I could make a painting from only a negative to go by,” he admitted.
He’s also got his eye on reproducing Iola’s former train depot to place along the rail trail there.
“Don’t know if there’s anyone in Iola who would help me see it through like Joe has done in Humboldt. But I think it sure would be nice,” he said.
Large timbers, which frame the murals, also provide welcome shade along the trail.
ABOUT 40 attended Sunday’s ceremony that was billed as recognition of Robert Miller Works, 1831-1911, who settled in Allen County in 1857.
“Not many families from that time period remain in Humboldt,” Whitaker said.
Four generations later, many of the Works clan remain in the area, and, like R.M. Works, are not only successful in their endeavors but also admirable public servants.
