RON HATCH, "VIGNETTES OF KNOX COUNTY HISTORY," 1983

acrylic on dry wall, 25' x 4.5' approx.

Located: Hardee's Restaurant, 1413 Knox Highway 9, Knoxville, Ill.

Other works: "People's -- 75 Years," People's Do It Center, 465 E. Berrien St., Galesburg, Ill.; "Welcome to Galesburg," mural across railroad tracks from Galesburg Amtrak Depot; "Depot 1936," Galesburg Burlington Credit Union, 476 E. South St., Galesburg, Ill.

This L-shaped mural in yellow and sepia tones wraps around the back wall of a busy Hardee's fast food restaurant that's open 24 hours. It was commissioned by the owner before the ground breaking for the eatery.

The subject matter, the history of Knox County, was agreed upon by both the owner and the artist. The large mural depicts, in 13 vignettes, the founding and settling of the county.

With an illustrator's skill, Hatch paints portraits of the earliest residents, explorers and famous citizens, including Carl Sandburg and General Henry Knox. The county's historic sites appear: The Old Knox County Courthouse, Wolf Covered Bridge, Old Main at Knox College and Carl Sandburg's Birthplace. "Reindeer," the first train to pull into Galesburg in 1854, is also recorded.

Ron Hatch's superb draftsmanship captures detail without sacrificing the clean, crisp lines of the overall image.