Photo by Peggy Hyde
This train mural adorns the side of a brick building in Phil Campbell, a tribute to its history.

By Kadin Pounders

For the FCT

There are some people in this world who want to change history, some who want to rewrite it, and some who would rather debate it. Then there are some folks who simply want to remember history and what it means to a community.

Lynn Landers, a Phil Campbell city councilwoman, and her husband Jason Landers, a carpenter for Carpenters Union Local 1209, are two of those people.

The Landers commissioned the painting of train mural on the side of a brick building the couple owns in downtown Phil Campbell. A train painting may seem like a strange choice to some, but to the Landers and others familiar with the history of the town, it was only fitting.

“(We wanted) to spruce up the town, to let everyone know how the town was established and the train being the reason why,” said Lynn Landers.

In the late 1880s, Phillip “Phil” Campbell was a railroad construction supervisor for the Birmingham, Sheffield and Tennessee River Railroad. Mel Allen, a Franklin County merchant, wanted to establish a town around his store. Allen promised if Campbell brought the railroad through the new town, he would name the town in his honor. Campbell agreed, and that is how the town came to be known as Phil Campbell.

The mural was painted by Cori Alsbrooks from Sheffield. The couple came in contact with Alsbrooks through one of Jason Landers’ co-workers and commissioned her to do the project.

It took Alsbrooks about five days to complete the project. Alsbrooks, an accomplished artist, has done a number of works throughout the country.

“I regularly create murals of all shapes and sizes all over the U.S. I paint for homes, businesses, churches, schools and more,” she said. “I primarily paint, creating murals and any commissioned painting needs, as well as freelance graphic design and remote editing.”

She said the train mural is one of the more special paintings she has done.

“I feel very blessed to be a part of such a big piece of the town’s history now,” she said. “I truly felt the genuine pride, love and the spirit of this small town as I felt continual support from all ages and heard stories from so many. It is truly the most meaningful mural painting experience I have ever had the opportunity of which to be a part.”

Two buildings in disrepair used to stand next to the Landers’ building. Now that those buildings have been torn down, the town plans to construct a parking lot for Memorial Park.

“That’s another reason we put (the mural) here, so people can see it from the park,” said Lynn Landers.