The River Mural

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The Missouri River Mural, part of Cuba, Missouri’s Viva Cuba mural program, highlights the deep historical and cultural connection between the region and its rivers. The name “Missouri” itself is derived from a Native American term meaning “canoe people,” reflecting how early inhabitants traveled and lived along these waterways.

The mural also captures the evolution of river life in the Cuba and Steelville area, where tourism and floating became a major part of the local economy in the early to mid-20th century. Visitors once arrived by train and were transported by wagon to riverside resorts, beginning a tradition that continues today.

Sponsored by Stephan and Robert “Bear” Bass, the mural honors a family deeply tied to the region’s river culture. Their father, Bob Bass, was a pioneer of recreational floating, launching Bass Canoe in 1967 and helping make river floating one of the area’s most popular outdoor activities. Today, the family continues that legacy through river resorts and outfitters along the Meramec, Courtois, and Huzzah rivers.

Blending history, recreation, and family legacy, the mural serves as a tribute to the rivers that have shaped life in this part of Missouri for generations.

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