Massive Mural to be a Tribute to La Grange History

Along one of the busiest streets in town, a massive mural honoring the history of La Grange is being painted by a famous artist.

Tyler Kay Reichart, of Cat Springs, who now lives in the Woodlands, (she goes by the name Tyler Kay) has done hundreds of murals, including recent ones at Houston Intercontinental Airport and in downtown Columbus, started the project earlier this month. The mural is on the side of the historic Hart Land Real Estate building, facing Business 71.

The project will stretch into January and is the first project partially funded by the City of La Grange Mural Grant Program, which helps pay for a portion of the cost of the work.

Lisa Corker, who owns the building and Hart Land Real Estate along with husband Michael, said they had been thinking about the mural project for years.

When they were passing through Columbus and saw Reichart at work on her mural there, a partnership was born.

“She said, ‘I have a wall,’ Reichart recalled. “I said ‘Let’s mural.’” Now their partnership is quickly going up for all those driving on Business 71 to see.

But it took a while before paint hit the wall.

“We have been working with Tyler for the last year and a half trying to figure out the logistics of painting on a building with five windows, a door and limited space above and below,” Lisa said. “She has finally figured it out and is telling the story that has been ruminating in my head for a long time.”

“This mural will depict the history of our town. Mr. Kreische is the impetus because he built our building at 104 S. Main. We wanted the story of the Kreische Brewery at Monument Hill to be the focal point and the history of Mr. Kreische transporting beer across the Colorado River, up Main Street to his building. Then images of the courthouse, the historic Muster Oak, the train depot, Colorado River Bridges and local parades all paying homage to the German-Czech heritage of our area.”

“There are so many components that make La Grange unique and so much content to put in the mural,” said Reichart, who has been painting murals for 11 years. She is no stranger to Fayette County. Her uncle is local longhorn icon Ralph Fisher.

Tyler’s mural has a whole other dimension than more traditional murals. Positioned over portions of the modern day local scenes will be paintings of actual photographs that look like they are taped over the background.

“Tyler took it a step further to depict past and present in one mural,” Lisa said. “We researched the library archives taking photos of the same buildings from the 1800s and then showing the present-day buildings. Past and present on one blank canvas.”

Reichart is a graduate of the University of Houston with Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts Leadership degrees.

“As a La Grange native, I am passionate about our community and feel this mural project will be an amazing gateway into the beautiful community we call home,” Lisa said.