





200 Years of Freedom 20 Years of Neglect



Save The Prado Dam Bicentennial Mural



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MARCH 2019

LATEST NEWS ON THE PRADO DAM BICENTENNIAL MURAL







For now, the Mural is still here. Also, the U.S. Dept. of the Interior rejected the Army Corps claims that, "the U.S. Bicentennial was not significant historical event". The Dept. of Interior's conclusion below, has created a new benchmark for future historians.



“We feel sufficient documentation is available to mark the event and the activities surrounding the celebration as significantly contributing to the broad patterns of American history.”



The Dept. of the Interior also found the mural could be eligible for historic status, as it reflects the undertaking, efforts, and views of the community at a certain time in history, and has come to symbolize the enduring contribution valued by the generation that erected the property.



However, The Dept. of the Interior, denied historical status to the Bicentennial mural, based on it's current condition.



To imagine a graffiti vandal with a bucket of paint, gets to determine the historical fate of the greatest Monument to freedom on the West Coast of the U.S., is flawed to say the least.



So what happens now? We find a way to preserve this great work of community art and monument to the Freedoms, we share with the rest of the Nation. Updates will be coming.







Nov 13 2018





Bicentennial Mural Now In Hands Of The National Park Service



Four years ago, the public took on the massive resources of the L.A. Army Corps of Engineers, to preserve the regions historical, Prado Dam Bicentennial Mural.



Over the next few months, the National Park Service will be looking to see if the mural meets their criteria for the National Register of Historic Places. The Park Service has the final say for Historic properties. In the meantime, a temporary Federal injunction is still in place to protect the Mural, after the Army Corps had attempted to strip it off the Spillway in 2015.



The Army Corps told the public in 2015, that if we wanted the Bicentennial Mural to remain on the spillway it was our choice. Sadly the public's clear choice to keep their mural, was overruled by the Army Corps announcing a contest to replace it with a mural of their own choosing. In the meantime, the Army Corps has not replied to our requests for them to publicly acknowledge and recognize, the public's clear choice to preserve the Bicentennial Mural on the spillway.



The Bicentennial Freedom Mural Conservancy (a 501-C3 charity) has been formed to preserve and maintain the artwork and historic nature of the Bicentennial Mural.



OUR DEEPEST THANKS FOR THIS GRASS ROOTS EFFORT GO OUT TO :



The Mural Conservancy of L.A., the National Trust, the County of Riverside, the Orange County Water District, the Corona/Norco Unified School District, the Mayors, Council Members and staff for the Cities of: Chino Hills, Chino, Eastvale, Norco, and Corona, the Corona Historic Preservation Society, Congressman Ed Royce, Congressman Ken Calvert, and the 31,000 petitioners, who have moved mountains to preserve this historical treasure for present and future generations.





Aug 6 2018





At this time, the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) neither accepts nor rejects the Army Corps of Engineer's finding that the Prado Dam Bicentennial Mural is ineligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Rather, in a recent action to move the process forward, the SHPO has deferred this determination to the the Keeper of the NRHP in Washington, D.C.



A National Parks Service official, "the Keeper”has the final authority for deciding if a property is eligible for listing in the NRHP, a national inventory of America's historic resources.



The Friends of the Prado Dam Mural see this as a positive step, and appreciate your great contribution in helping our state and federal historic preservation officials understand the importance of the Prado Dam Bicentennial Mural to the local community and beyond. We will post additional information, a new timeline, and ways you can continue to help as soon as this new information is released to us.



Thank you !









Congressman Ed Royce meeting with Chino Hills City Council Member Cynthia Moran and the President of the Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles Eric Bjorgum .



We want to thank Congressman Royce for his efforts to see the Prado Dam Bicentennial Mural returned to it’s former glory. The Mural is culturally significant and an historical part of the Prado Basin. It has and does benefit San Bernardino, Orange, and Riverside Counties. We look forward to working with Congressman Royce and we will be posting updates as they come in.



As many of you know, on July 5th the California Historical Preservation Office rejected the Army Corps evaluation that the Bicentennial Mural is not an Historic Property. The Corps must now re-evaluate their findings, along with the comments they received from a concerned public.



In the meantime, the injunction by the Honorable Jesus Bernal (Federal Court Judge) to stop the Corps from stripping the mural will stand. it’s sad that the graffiti on the mural has yet to be removed. But we are working to see the mural is properly restored using environmentally friendly anti-graffiti paint.







Now You Can Contact The Army Corps Directly! The Corps has provided us the email address below, please use it to reflect the personal and/or historical importance the Bicentennial Mural holds for you. Please be respectful and request Col. Gibbs to work towards the restoration of this irreplaceable historic resource. Contact: L.A. Corps, Col. Kirk Gibbs at pradomuralcomments@usace.army.mil

History of the Mural On June 17 1976 the Prado Dam Bicentennial Mural was completed. On May 11th 2016, just weeks from it's 40th anniversary, the students who designed and painted it are coming back! They will be meeting at the mural site with elected officials from Chino, Chino Hills, Eastvale, Norco, and Corona - along with other mural supporters.



After the gathering at the mural, the consultants will meet for a workshop with the Army Corps of Engineers at their near by offices, to discuss the Bicentennial Mural's Eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places.



We all look forward to sharing goals that allow for the Bicentennial mural to be preserved for present and future generations.





~ Historical Information About The Mural ~





Prado Dam Mural, Corona CA

If you weren't there or your memory is a little fuzzy, the U.S. Bicentennial was the most massive volunteer movement in peacetime history. Ten years in the making, there were 60,000 events planned across the Country. KTLA-5 reporter Dave Mecham, said it best, "1976 was like the 4th of July on steroids and celebrated throughout the entire year".



Encouraged by the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration in the summer of 1976, a group of Corona High School Students were inspired to do their own thing. They designed and painted the Prado Dam Spillway with a Bicentennial theme. As soon as the paint dried, the mural, that's six times the size of Mt. Rushmore, was embraced by the community.





Bicentennial Memorabilia

Individuals, Indian Tribes and various groups were all invited to tell their stories for the Bicentennial. From this participation came a greater learning experience and Americans added to their knowledge of history.



The creation of the Bicentennial Mural was truly a community effort, with the Spirit of

dedication, patriotism and friendship. From the moms who fed the 30 students who participated, to all the volunteers who selflessly worked to make the mural a reality. As the mural is in clear view of some 300,000 vehicles that pass by it daily, it has literally inspired millions.



Sadly over the years, the mural has lacked a maintenance program. Various groups like the Boy Scouts have had their offers of repairs turned down. In May of 2014 there was a Public Notice on the L.A. Army Corps Website, stating they would be wiping out the Prado Dam Mural without determining if Historic properties are present or engaging the public. On August 6th 2014, the Corps Public Affairs specialist stated there are no plans to repaint the spillway. Then on October 15th 2014 the Corps announced they would seek public input on a replacement Mural. It was now clear that the Corps did not recognize the historical significance of the mural.





Because of the outpouring from a Petition drive by the Public and their elected officials calling for the mural to be preserved, the L.A. Army Corps Of Engineers held a Public meeting at the Corona Preforming Arts Theater on April 9th 2015. Over 300 mural supporters attended and unanimously supported the History and significance of the Mural. The supporters were told by the Committee that there passion was heard loud and clear.





Mural Supporters at Corona Performing Arts Center

It was an amazing night! 50 supporters got up to speak, even city council members voiced their support for the mural. One of the supporters was present during the 1938 flood of the former City of Prado. Then a young man stood up and said he would be 83 for the Countries Tricentennial and he wanted the Bicentennial Mural preserved, the applause was inspiring!





Top of the Prado Dam Spillway

To the dismay of the public, on June 8th 2015, the Army Corps placed equipment on top of the Prado Dam spillway, to destroy the Bicentennial Mural.





Supporters Go to Federal Court For an Injunction

Just hours before the Mural was to be destroyed, Attorney Eric Bjorgum, representing the

Mural Conservancy of LA and Mural artist Ron Kammeyer went to Federal court and got a

temporary injunction, halting the murals' destruction. On August 25th 2015 Federal Judge

Jesus Bernal handed down the court’s decision that plaintiffs have met the standard for

entry of a preliminary injunction stopping further work on the Bicentennial Freedom Mural

pending the final resolution of the case.



Since the Judges decision, the Army Corps has agreed to assess the eligibility of the Mural for the National Record Of Historic Places, in consultation with the California State Historic Preservation Office. Both parties have now agreed to put on hold their Federal case until this important, Section 106, review of the Mural is completed. Over the next few months, consulting parties and the Public will weigh in on the Historic significance of the Mural.





The Bicentennial Mural heroes above, deserve our appreciation and support! Starting from left, Isabel Rojas-Williams, Executive Director of the Mural Conservancy of L.A. Next is Eric Bjorgum Pasadena Attorney and advocate for Murals. Next is Ron Kammeyer, Mural Artist and he is standing next to the original Mural Painters and now members of the Bicentennial Freedom Mural Conservancy. Left to right, Jackie Cherrington, Terry Smith, former Corona High activities director David DiPiaolo and Jackie Travis .



The Mural Conservancy of L.A. is a non-profit organization, that is passionate about murals. Without their hard work and diligence, the Bicentennial Mural would have been lost for all time.



Membership Packages



You can show your support for the fine work the Mural Conservancy of L.A. is doing for the Bicentennial Mural, by becoming a MCLA member. It's only $20! (Just Click on the link above)





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This website and effort to protect and restore our patriotic rights is done in the name of the Most High God and by His Provision We further claim the Prado Dam Spillway in the name of Jesus for the continued display of the bicentennial mural and the message of freedom it gives to all Americans that pass by. Mural and website protected by the cross of Christ.





