The Apple Mural

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The Apple & Barrel Mural, part of Cuba, Missouri’s Viva Cuba mural program, highlights a time when the town was a major hub for apple production in the Midwest. The story begins in 1867, when L.D. Grover planted one of the area’s first orchards, helping spark an industry that would define Cuba’s economy for decades.

By the early 1900s, Cuba had grown into the largest producer, processor, and distributor of apples in Missouri. The expansion of the railroad made it possible to ship apples across the country—packed in barrels for table use or sent in bulk to be turned into vinegar. During harvest season, hundreds of workers were employed, and an entire network of supporting industries emerged, including barrel making, cider mills, and apple processing.

The mural also connects past to present through its sponsorship by McGinnis Wood Products, a local barrel-making company that continues the legacy of craftsmanship tied to the industry. Artist Shelly Smith Steiger incorporated members of the McGinnis family into the mural, blending history with living community ties.

Today, the mural stands as a tribute to a time when apples were king in Cuba, capturing the scale, impact, and legacy of an industry that helped shape the town’s identity along Route 66.

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