The story behind the Chloride murals

Traveling north on US 93 past Kingman is an old mining town called Chloride.

At one point in the town's history, there were over 75 working mines. Today, the number is unknown and they are either privately owned or controlled by the federal government.

These days, Chloride is popular for a tourist destination four miles off the highway: murals.

An artist named Roy Purcell began painting the now-famous "Purcell Murals"in 1966. The vibrantly-colored murals stretch across several boulders and included depictions of the Tennessee Mine, a productive zinc, gold and lead mine, and other popular images.

Purcell named these murals, "The Journey: Images From an Inward Search for Self" and some of the murals have spiritual meanings. The set of murals cover more than 2,000 square feet.

In addition to Purcell's paintings, stone carvings and art from other artists can be seen in nearby areas.

Purcell retouched the color of the murals in 1975 and then repainted them again in 2006when he and 10 other artists restored 19 murals.

Purcell is recognizedthroughout the Southwest as his artwork can be found in collections of major international corporations Dow Chemical and The Royal Bank of Canada.

To reach the murals, exit US 93 and travel east toward Chloride. The murals are about 1.5 miles east of town and you'll travel by car or foot on a dirt road that isn't maintained by ADOT. Make sure your vehicle - high-clearance and four-wheel or all-wheel drive would be best - can handle this road before driving down the dirt road.

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