Bellefontaine in Logan County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Mills Brothers Mural
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 11, 2026
1. The Mills Brothers Mural Marker
The Mills Brothers mural project was a collaboration amongst LoCo Art (formerly the Bellefontaine Cultural Arts Commission), the Logan County History Center, artist Richard Duarte Brown and Logan County students representing Bellefontaine, Benjamin Logan, Calvary Christian, Indian Lake, Riverside and West Liberty schools. The mural was created to honor and celebrate the lives and accomplishments of the Mills Brothers. Through their joyous music and determination they overcame adversity to break down racial barriers and achieve worldwide acclaim. Through their art and their courageous and contagious zest for life, the Mills Brothers brought people together.
The seed represents the Mills family planting roots in Bellefontaine.
Yellow Bird/Glow Worm/Tiny Bubbles/Tiger Rag are Mills Brothers' songs.
The red wagon and newspaper represent the brothers delivering papers in their early years.
The newspaper features an announcement of Mills Brothers performing for England Royals.
A kazoo was utilized by the Mills Brothers in their early years. When once forgotten, the brothers started making their own vocal instrumentimitations.
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The barber pole signifies the brothers starting as a quartet singing at their father's barbershop.
Richard Duarte Brown is featured in the center of the symbol.
The living trees represent the generations of Mills families taking root in Bellefontaine and branching out into the world.
Special Thanks:
LoCo Art Board Members - Bruce Smith, Rebecca Dotson, Rick Fuller, Michael Graham, Jessica Haney, & Abby Steinke LoCo Art Co-Directors - Myles Bowers & Jennifer Davis Logan County History Center, Todd McCormick, Director/Curator Richard "Duarte" Brown, Resident Visual Artist Melanie Antram-Ingraham, Bellefontaine Visual Arts Educator Mayor Ben Stahler Colton Lowry, building owner John Dawson Construction, mural install Cassie Hassel, artist Students - Miranda Armentrout, Taylor Banta, Landon Braddock, Alexandra Caldwell, Avery Carmer, Mia DeLong, Kate Gulick, Lauren Hemmelgarn, Lydia Johnson, Emily LeVan, Xavier McPherson, Chaz Moore, Kate Myers, Katelyn Norris, Whitney Ridenbaugh, Lily Rose, Xavier Spain, Isaiah Stanford, Lila Wilson Area Businesses: Brewfontaine, Six Hundred Downtown, Lowes, Small
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 11, 2026
2. The Mills Brothers Mural Marker
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the America 250: Ohio Commission series list.
Location. 40° 21.568′ N, 83° 45.58′ W. Marker is in Bellefontaine, Ohio, in Logan County. It is at the intersection of South Main Street and East Chillicothe Avenue, on the right when traveling north on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 211 S Main St, Bellefontaine OH 43311, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 11, 2026
3. The Mills Brothers Mural Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 31, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
