PHOTOS: Mural Unveiling in Downtown Mokena

Mokena residents gathered in the parking lot of State Bank of Illinois Saturday morning for the unveiling of the latest mural in the Illinois Lincoln Highway mural series.

The mural, which is mounted on the wall of 11104 Front Street in downtown Mokena, depicts the Cooper & Hostert Garage, which was the area’s first Ford dealership and was a part of the Mokena business community for more than 50 years.

Mokena’s is the 30^th of 35 murals in the series to be unveiled and is the eighth out of nine murals in the Chicago Southland. The series is being facilitated by the Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition. When completed, the murals will tell the story of Lincoln Highway.

The Cooper & Hostert mural is valued at $10,000 and, with the exception of installation and maintenance costs, it is being funded entirely by federal and state grants.

Mokena Mayor Joe Werner spoke at the unveiling, where he recognized the village board and the Mokena Area Historical Society for their roles in bringing the project to fruition. He also acknowledged descendants of the original owners of the Cooper & Hostert Garage, as well as a former employee of the garage, all of whom were in attendance for Saturday’s event.

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