Photo Mural & Mule Showcase Installed at Borax Wagon Exhibit

June 2, 2022

Borax Wagon Exhibit Photo Mural Complete

When DVC’s Twenty Mule Team Borax wagons aren’t on tour in parades or at special events such as Mule Days, you can visit them for yourself at the Laws Railroad Museum & Historical Site in Bishop, CA.

A dedicated exhibit barn was built to house the wagons which was recently enhanced with the addition of a stunning photo mural backdrop and new mule exhibit from the American Mule Museum called “The Mule in America”.

Borax Wagon Photo Mural Plans
Wagon Barn Before the Mural Was Installed

The photo mural was carefully designed with multiple panels to fit within the exhibit space. This view is of the blank canvas wall which was the starting point before the installation. It was a good time to perform the work with the barn empty, as the wagons were on their return trip from Engel’s Coach Shop in Montana en route to the Mule Days Celebration.

Installing the Mural

The A-Team from Blow Up Lab (SF) performed the install of the 73′ x 17′ photo mural.

Installing the Mural
Installing the Mural

The photo mural is based on a 1936 Frashers Fotos panoramic image of the Harmony Borax Works in Death Valley. Originally a black and white print, AI was utilized to color it and we added clouds for some drama.

For context, the mural started out as this 1936 B&W image
Borax Wagon Exhibit Photo Mural Complete

The photo mural installation complete! Next, it was time to get the Mule in America exhibit installed from the American Mule Museum which was celebrated with a Grand Opening event.

Mule Exhibit Grand Opening Celebration Banner
Mule Exhibit Grand Opening Celebration
Mule Exhibit Complete American Mule Museum
Mule Exhibit Installed American Mule Museum

With Mule Days a wrap, and the photo mural and mule showcase installation complete, the wagons were placed carefully back in the barn where they now reside in a spectacular exhibit space open to the public.

20 Mule Team Borax Wagons
20 Mule Team Borax Wagons
20 Mule Team Borax Wagons
20 Mule Team Borax Wagons

Come visit them for yourself – they’re truly a sight to behold.

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2022-06-04T12:20:12-07:00