Warden John Burle says the mural is part of a social justice initiative at the center. One of the goals was to give inmates a voice during the pandemic and after George Floyd's death. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, artist and inmate, Nick Worley, designed and painted the mural by himself. He spent more than 500 hours designing and painting it.
But Burle says the entire project was a collaboration of the center, city of Kewanee, park board and department, plus businesses and donors.
- Great Dane Trailers - panels and framing, staff labor for assembly
- Kewanee Park Board - sandpaper, drop cloths, buckets
- Reiman’s Harley Davidson - scissor lift for painting, hanging, and assembly
Worley painted two panels at a time in the center's art room. And prisoners and employees enjoyed seeing his progress as the panels were hung in the gymnasium. He's been transferred to the Peoria Adult Transition Center but returned to Kewanee last Thursday to help unveil the mural.
You can see the "Mr. Baseball" mural at Kewanee's Northeast Park along Illinois Highway 78 (Main Street).
Here are some notes about Louis Reynolds' life and legacy.
- “Mister Baseball, Louis Thomas Reynolds, was born in 1872 and began playing baseball when he was 15.
- Played left field for Hedding College and joined Abingdon Globe Overall Co. team pitching and playing first base
- Arrived in Kewanee in early 1890’s and was a stable worker
- Began playing baseball in Kewanee in 1896 playing for the Shamrocks semi-professional team
- Played at least 2 seasons for the Chicago Unions, a professional African American team, named captain and first baseman in 1897 and was the leading hitter for its championship team
- Joined an African American team called the Columbia Giants in Chicago and rejoined the Unions in 1899
- From 1901-1903, played for John Brady’s Kewanee Regulars
- Founded an African American Baseball league in Kewanee
