Fullerton Police Department Mural – Fullerton CA

City:
Fullerton, CA

Site Type:
Art Works, Murals

New Deal Agencies:
Work Relief Programs, Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Completed:
1942

Artist:
Helen Lundeberg

Quality of Information:
Very Good

Site Survival:
Extant

Description

In 1941, the Federal Arts Project (FAP) commissioned prominent artist, Helen Lundeberg, to paint a 3-wall mural that covers 900 sq. ft. at the Old Fullerton City Hall in Fullerton, California. In addition to working on several New Deal art projects, she helped to found the Post-Surrealist art movement. 

The mural she painted in the Old Fullerton City Hall is named The History of Southern California. It depicts California’s history from the landing of Juan Cabrillo in the 1500s through the development of the movie industry in the Twentieth Century. Similar to many other murals painted in this era it was regionalist in style. The painting was placed in the meeting room for the city council chambers. 

In the 1960s, the painting was partially covered over. Then in 1992, a project restored the mural, costing $80,000. Today, the mural can be enjoyed by the public as one of only three intact murals in Orange County.

Source notes

Epting, Charles. The New Deal in Orange County. Charleston, The History Press, 2014. Page 57.

Debora Richey. Fullerton Heritage. 2002. National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_CA/03000424.pdf

Location Info


237 W. Commonwealth Ave.
Fullerton, CA 92832
Orange County

Coordinates: 33.8708, -117.9281

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