COTTAGE GROVE – Thousands of dollars and two months painting paid off with countless memories at the installation of the Goose Train mural at Bohemia Park’s entry plaza in Cottage Grove.
The dedication of the mural took place last Friday at the north end of the park, on the corner of South 10th Street and Main Street. Debra Monsive, the chairperson of the Cottage Grove Mural Committee, led the dedication, explained the historical significance of the mural, and introduced the key players.
Heather Endicott, who painted the mural, started the outline in mid-June and spent many hot summer days and evenings painting behind the new splash pad.
Faye Stewart, public works director, said the bathroom wall that houses the mural was designed for it. When Monsive was looking for a more prominent place to display it, Stewart was able to use grant money for an architect to build the wall to fit the painting.
Engine No. 19 is a Baldwin Locomotive train that had a station almost precisely where the mural was installed. It operated from 1971-88. The steam engine would pull up and fill with water under the future water tower at the splash pad, then head over to the Village Green to take people on excursions, Stewart said.
Monsive said passengers would get on board for the 17-mile ride up Culp Creek at the old Village Green Depot.
“This project was personal for my family, but more important for our community’s history. It was a time of prosperity, as over 20,000 people a year would come from all over the world to Cottage Grove for this train experience,” Monsive said.
“Every weekend for 17 years, the sound of the whistle could be heard from here east, up through the Lang Valley, around the lake, through the communities of Dorina and Culp Creek, while the passengers were experiencing their scenic vistas,” she said.
Stewart asked the crowd of roughly 60 folks to raise their hand if they had the opportunity to experience the Goose, and over half of them raised an arm.
The Cottage Grove Mural Committee started the process in January 2023. Fundraising efforts, including the sale of hats, stickers, shirts, and other items featuring images of the train, resulted in $6,000 raised.
According to city councilor Dana Merryday the total bill was $10,000, and the Woodard Family Foundation helped with the remaining money.
“Heather was hesitant, as she hadn’t done a big project like this before,” Monsive said. “The mural committee wasn’t hesitant. She captured our memories and the spirit of the Goose excursion that filled our hearts here from 1971 to 1988 and beyond.”
“It was a warm summer, and it’s challenging to be working with so many people around me all the time,” Endicott said. “The kids were so sweet and often coming up and wanting information and wanting to hear about what it was and what I was doing. That was darling,” she said.
Mayor Candace Solesbee informed the crowd that an organization called Walldogs will be visiting town in two years. She said that every year, 200 cities apply for the honor, and Cottage Grove was chosen for 2027. Solesbee explained that around 200-300 artists will visit the town for four days and paint up to 15 murals. To initiate fundraising efforts for this project, she requested all volunteers on deck.
“This is something that’s going to bring our community together and celebrate our history. We have so much to paint in Cottage Grove,” Solesbee said.
At the end of the dedication ceremony, Marco Caturegli of the Eugene Highlanders Pipe Band played the bagpipes, as attendees got an up-close look at the detailed mural.
