A small barn along Route 66 near Chandler, Oklahoma, that was damaged by a storm 2 1/2 years ago recently was restored.
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association reported that the barn’s roof and half of its mural were torn off during a windstorm in April 2023, putting it at risk of demolition.
The Association sprang into action, engaging the landowner to talk about what was needed to save the barn. Permission to restore the mural was obtained from Les Turilli, the third-generation owner of Meramec Caverns.
In February of 2024, the Tillison Christian Opportunities Foundation donated $6,000 to fund the repair of the barn. This was achieved in short order, but that didn’t cover the restoration of the mural. The Association continued to work behind the scenes, engaging various parties and setting aside money in our Preservation Fund. A strong year of Trip Guide advertising and a sizeable donation from Cycle 66 in Edmond helped get the money together to finish the project in 2025.
Oklahoma mural artist Dr. Bob Palmer was engaged to restore the mural. Dr. Palmer has painted nearly 2,000 murals across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Eastern Europe. His art exists in many locations across Oklahoma’s stretch of Route 66, including recent work near Chandler City Hall. In October, Dr. Palmer returned to Chandler and brought the Meramec Caverns artwork back to the barn.
Meramec Caverns, based near Route 66 in Stanton, Missouri, employed Jim Gauer for about 60 years to paint advertising murals on barns in 14 states until his retirement in 2012.
Though Meramec Caverns is very much still alive, many of the barns that advertised the attraction have disappeared over the years. Earlier this year, Landmarks Illinois included those barns on its list of Most Endangered Historic Places.
The Meramec Caverns barn near Chandler can be seen on eastbound Route 66, east of S3400 Road.
Lester Dill opened Meramec Caverns to the public in 1933, and the complex has been greatly expanded and improved since then.
(Image of the restored Meramec Caverns barn near Chandler, Oklahoma, via Oklahoma Route 66 Association)