Main Street Murals is a non-profit 501 c(3) organization set up in the city of Barstow to create a walking gallery of historic murals along Route 66's Last Existing Main Street. Over the years our community outreach has expanded and we now offer a range of educational activities and community events from the Desert Discovery Center, located in the heart of Barstow.

We are dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the historical, ecological and cultural heritage of the Mojave Desert, through the development of creative art, education and recreation opportunities that enrich the community and attract tourism. Illustrating Barstow’s Past to Enhance its Future.

The Main St Murals Youth Program is based at the Desert Discovery Center where we host workshops, presentation and public activities year round.

HOT OFF THE PRESS LATEST NEWS!

CRAZY CACTUS EXHIBITION

DIRECTIONS:  2024 Orange Tree Lane, California Street exit from Interstate 10


CLICK HERE FOR UPCOMING EVENTS

WALKING MURAL TOURS
In addition to our Horse and Wagon tour, we also host monthly walking mural tours which include a slide show entitled "150 years along Main Street" by Steve Smith of the Mojave River Valley Museum, followed by a walking mural tour of Barstow growing gallery of public art depicting history of the region from Stone Age to Space Age. The tour meets at Barstow Flower & Bridal located on the corner of 7th and Main Street and the program kicks off at 10am.

The Walking Mural Tour is a great walk back in history through the presentation of Photographs, Stories and Large Mural Art - it’s fun, informative and FREE!

Horse and Carriage tours of Barstow Route 66 Mural Gallery

June 25th Main St Murals hosted a horse and carriage tour of the growing gallery of murals along Barstow's Main St to a sold out crowd of history and art enthusiasts.
Main St Murals joined forces with The Big Horse Carriage Company from Palm Springs which proved to be a big hit with participants and spectators alike.
Steve Smith, local historian was the tour guide and also gave participants a look back in time with his slide show and presentation of 100 years of Route 66.
The event is part of the organisations tourism efforts to bring fun and original activities to the city for tourists and the local community.
Participants heralded from LA, San Diego, San Bernardino, New Mexico and the High Desert.

EDUCATION PROJECTS
     The 2012 afterschool youth program “Animals of the Mojave Desert” run by Main St Murals came to an artistic close with the painting of a new mural “Animals of the Mojave Desert”.  Students helped paint the animal studies with muralist Kathy Fierro.  The mural can be seen at its new location  on the East wall of Starlight Donuts (corner of 1st and Main St) and has attracted a great deal of interest and praise  from local and visiting tourists.

The Youth program is also currently hosting a vibrant exhibition of sculpture and photography entitled “CRAZY CACTUS” at San Bernardino County Museum and will be showing thru 30th September. 

This project is made possible by the wonderful support of: The City of Barstow, The Community Foundation - Desert Legacy Fund, Barstow Community College, Southern California Edison, Mojave Environmental Education Consortium, and the Desert Discovery Center Partnership.

    Picture of the "ICE AGE" educational program whilst on a visit to LA BREA TAR PITS Los Angeles in March. The group were treated to guided tours of the outside excavation pits and also the museum and laboratory where the  group saw paleontologist working on the most recent finds at the sight.

The Desert Discovery Center (DDC) is comprised of a unique partnership between the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Barstow Unified School District,Barstow Community College, Mojave RiverValley Museum, City of Barstow, Discovery Trails, Southern California Edison, Main St Murals and Off Limits Design Inc.  The mission of the DDC is to develop and implement a comprehensive formal and informal education center with programs focusing on the natural, cultural, and historic resources associated with the Mojave Desert. Main St Murals are proud and honored to be a contributory partner in this exciting center.

www.californiastories.org
This project is made possible, in part, by a grant from the California Council for the Humanities

We invite you to explore our growing gallery of murals both online and in person. Next time you are heading through the Inland Empire on the I 15 or I 40, check out Barstow’s display of growing public Art in downtown Barstow, browse around downtown Treasure House Antique Mall and explore the sites and sounds of our interesting city that is steeped in history and culture.

Some of the sites to see in and around Barstow include:
    Calico Early Man archeological site, Calico Ghost Town, Desert Discovery Center, Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex, Historic Harvey House, Mojave River Valley Museum, Rainbow Basin, Route 66 Museum, Western American Railroad Museum. Look out for special events and festivals held throughout the year in our events page.

NEWS.BYTES from the BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
“Old Spanish Trail” – Performance Art Workshop
“Native American Voice of the Mojave Desert” – After School Program

All enquiries
Tel: 760 252 6060
E-mail: info@mainstreetmurals.com

"Illustrating Barstow's past to enhance its future"