With the addition of the new Rose O’Neill mural on Commercial Street, downtown is now home to four major murals, each with their own stories and purpose. You can see each of these while riding the free Sparky downtown trolley, or you can lace up your walking shoes for a unique art walk experience.
1) The Star Spangled Banner Bicentennial Mural
Painted by Raine Clotfelter, known as “America’s Muralist,” the giant mural on the west side of the Liberty Utilities building at 215 W. Main is downtown’s largest. This artwork celebrated the bicentennial of the Star Spangled Banner in 2014.
The background depicts the famous flag over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. The foreground features a giant eagle, a revolutionary-era drum and fife corps and the song originally penned by Francis Scott Key.
Clotfelter is a retired U.S. Navy draftsman and historian who has painted more than 100 murals across the nation, including several around Branson.
2) The Downtown Branson 1913 Mural
It’s easy to miss another uniquely Branson mural, which depicts Commercial and Pacific Streets as they appeared around the time of Branson’s incorporation as a city in 1912. The artwork is located on a long alleyway wall on the north-facing side of the Aromatique Outlet Store on Commercial Street.
Made to look like an old century-old photograph, the mural was painted in 2007 by local artist John Short. The artwork was commissioned by the Downtown Branson Mainstreet Association and supported by several donors.
3) The Rose O’Neill Mural
Downtown Branson’s newest mural pays tribute to famous Ozarkian Rose O’Neill. The artwork, painted in 2024, is located on the south side of the Centennial Museum at the corner of Commercial and Pacific streets.
The mural was created by Hollister artist Christine Riutzel and O’Neill enthusiast Delanie Johnson. The two worked for more than a year to secure the rights and approvals for the artwork, as well as raise funds.
4) The ExploreBranson Postcard Mural
Already the most recognizable selfie spot in downtown is the “Greetings from Branson” mural. Located at the corner of Main and Sycamore Streets and facing the Hilton Convention Center Hotel, this mural was completed in October 2016.
The artwork was designed to look like a vintage postcard by artist John Bell and was painted by Raine Clotfelter, known as “America’s Muralist.” The mural was commissioned by the Branson Chamber of Commerce and CVB.