The Millworks Mural

About Us

The Millworks Mural is part of Cuba, Missouri’s celebrated Viva Cuba mural program and tells the story of the Roberts-Judson Sheetmetal and Millworks Department. Completed in 2005 as the eighth mural in the series, it recreates both the original building signage and a vivid interior scene of the shop during its working years.

At the center of the mural is Francis Nixon, a longtime employee who worked in the shop for over five decades. His presence adds a deeply personal layer to the piece, made even more meaningful by the fact that his daughter, artist Julie Nixon Krovicka, helped paint his likeness. Alongside local artists, the mural blends historical accuracy with personal memory, capturing not just the work, but the people behind it.

The building itself dates back to 1948 and was part of the Roberts-Judson Lumber Company, where skilled workers produced custom woodwork, doors, and millwork for the community. Today, the mural serves as both a visual time capsule and a tribute to the craftsmanship and labor that helped shape Cuba’s identity along Route 66.

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