Stan Herd remembered the mural he placed on the south edge of the First National Bank building in Dodge City, Kansas, as a difficult undertaking, but one he was proud to do.
The 45-feet wide by 70-feet stagecoach (pictured above in the Journal photo by Kylene Scott), based on a painting by famed painter and illustrator Fredric Remington, captures the spirit of the American West. The mural, depicts a stagecoach coming down from a hill was originally placed in 1979 and has since been repaired and touched up by Herd.
On July 25, to help kick off Dodge City Days, the artist returned to rededicate the outdoor artwork that adorns the south side of the downtown building that is in the process of renovation by the city.
Herd, who grew up in Protection, credits his brother Steve, whom he calls the family farmer and rancher, for his confidence and optimism that the project could be done and updated, which occurred in the past year.
“Steve stayed on the farm,” Stan said. “He is a real cowboy.”
Stan Herd said his grandparents came out on a stagecoach and settled in southwest Kansas and over the years he has learned to admire what his family and many others endured to follow their dream.
As Stan looked around he offered his thanks to the large crowd that came out on a hot day to show their appreciation.
“It’s been quite an amazing journey,” said Herd, who is now 74 and resides in Lawrence.
After the formal presentation, Herd talked about when the mural was first painted. Back then was focused on his earth art projects, but at that point it was a slow time so he had time. Ironically, as a kid he wanted to “get off the farm” and see the world. However, he also understood the importance of southwest Kansas and its heritage.
The project itself
Herd had a great appreciation for Remington’s artwork and he had a connection with the bank that allowed him to proceed.
“It was a really tough job to put on the building,” he recalled. “I had to suck it up to get it finished. It was not fun at all. I wished we had the equipment then like we have today.”
As part of the rededication, the mural has a notation for Herd Family 2025, which Stan said was a tribute to his brother and his family and friends for all of the work to help and encourage him as an artist. While the project was difficult when first painted, upon reflection he was proud of how it turned out and how it has stood the test of time.
As part of touching it up the art will really shine and be noticeable in the evening, he said.
During the public ceremony, Mayor Jeff Reinert said the stagecoach is a historic piece of art. The rededication was celebrating a piece of that represented the soul of the community and a visual reminder of pride.
Reinert said it is a reminder of the importance of creativity and why investing in arts and culture is important.
Perspective about DC
First District Congressman Tracey Mann, who maintains an office in the community, said when he is in Washington D.C., without exception when he speaks of Dodge City, Kansas, everyone knows the city.
Mann said Kansas embodies the heartland of the country. When he sees the mural, it reminds him that settlers many years ago came to Kansas to till the ground, raise crops and tend livestock. They were the definition of grit and that remains in today’s citizens.
Herd’s mural personifies that spirit, the congressman said. Mann said his grandmother traveled on a stagecoach to Stanton County and she lived long enough to see man land on the moon in 1969.
City Manager Nick Hernandez, wearing a cowboy hat, remembered as kid traveling from Spearville and marveling at the mural. The bank building was an impressive sight and he said the commission staff believe that it will be an important part of downtown’s revitalization. He said the commission and in the next 45 days plans to consider proposals and ideas to make that vision come to life. Herd later attended a reception in his honor at Carnegie Center for the Arts, 701 N. Second Ave., where he has 70 pieces of art on display.
Melissa McCoy, assistant city manager/public affairs, served as emcee.
Dave Bergmeier can be reached at 620-227-1822 or [email protected].
