The story of Junction City continues to unfold one statue at a time.  On December 3rd, during the Christmas Market, statue #3 was unveiled at the corner of 8th and Jefferson Streets depicting our story of “Cultural Diversity.”   The back side of the JC statue is a puzzle of flags from various countries reflecting some of the earliest citizens of Junction City.  Local muralist, Mindy Allen, has been the artist for the first 3 statues.  Statue #3 will not be permanently installed at this time pending decision-making by the city on future plans for possible renovation of the parking lot.  The statue will be mobile and used at various events to promote Junction City, Geary County, and Junction City Main Street downtown revitalization efforts until permanent installation.  This site is the future site for the Main Street Market set to open May 6, 2023.  Statue #2 is located at 7th and Washington Streets with a theme of “Agriculture and Ranching” and Statue #1 is located in Heritage Park with a theme of “Veterans.”

On January 16, statue #4 will be unveiled following the Martin Luther King celebration at 9th and Washington Streets.  The theme is “9th Street District.”  Academy Award Winner, Kevin Willmott, has provided historical data for this JC statue to his son, William Willmott, who is the muralist.  Kevin and William will both be present at the unveiling following the noon march from CL Hoover Opera House to 9th and Washington.  The base is sponsored by Kevin and Kathy Willmott, Hoover-Koken Foundation, NAACP, and Black History Trail of Geary County.

Many thanks to so many people and organizations who are involved in the 10 JC Statues that are being located downtown:

National Endowment for the Arts
Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission
Kansas State University Salina Campus Mechanical Engineering
City of Junction City
Muralists, Mindy Allen, and William Willmott
Hillside Investors
Black History Trail of Geary County
Hoover-Koken Foundation
Kevin and Kathy Willmott
Tracy Contreras