The Atlantic and Pacific Railroad construction crews reached mile marker 157.5 in 1881. As the rails moved west railroad crews and suppliers would go to David L. Gallup, paymaster, for their pay. They had to go to Gallup. The name stuck. Abundant resources of coal, timber, and ranching surrounding the community brought people looking for opportunities to work. Beautiful scenery brought the movie industry. The community campaigned to get Route 66 to come through Gallup on its way from Chicago to Los Angeles. In 1927 Gallup became part of Route 66, the Mother Road. The era of tourism began. Today all roads lead to Gallup. The population swells from 20,000 to 100,000 on weekends when everyone comes to town. Travelers still wait at railroad crossings while the freight trains pass through Gallup. Community members who guided the development of this mural are Laura Bentz, Tommy Gasparich, Juanita Kezele, Carolyn Milligan, and Sally Noe. About the Artists: Paul Newman, the muralist, has tamed his customary surrealism in a mural for the public. But his brilliant draftsmanship still adds an extra measure of reality. Paul is a painter. He is a former director of the Center for Performing Arts at the University of Florida. Steve Heil, the assistant to the muralist, is a painter, an art teacher with a BA in music. He is also a professional native herb grower. Painted in 2005.