The Kenney Fort Pub: Hand Painted Murals and Lettering
There were several murals painted at this location. Pictures and timelapse videos of each project are included below
The Kenney Fort Pub | located at 3001 Joe DiMaggio Blvd. #1400 Round Rock, TX 78665
What’s in the pub’s name? Kenney Fort was the first permanent settlement in Round Rock built in 1838 by Dr. Kenney. It is was reported that “While he [Dr. Kenney] occupied the Fort, all who called there received a cordial welcome and were generously entertained." What a perfect tie in for a pub. Pub names have a variety of origins, from objects used as simple identification marks to historic events, occupations etc.. The Kenney Fort Pub chose to highlight the origins of settlement where they are located. This sign/mural behind the hostess stand illustrates the original fort and the cordial welcome saying. My first time incorporating a paint pen...for that intricate old English font.
Next Mural: London
I was born in England, but it's been too long since I've been back to visit! A painting visit will have to do for now paired with pub owner Tim Jones' authentic British accent. Tim has been wonderful to work with and has given me a lot of creative freedom in his pub.
For this project I pulled in Izzy Richey to help. Izzy is a Southwestern University art major. Izzy volunteered on my Gus's Drug/Greetings from Georgetown mural and voiced an interest in doing mural painting as a career. She got a full intro and tough challenge this week, super detailed imagery and a construction site with no a/c -(it was high 90°s-100° all week). Well done Izzy, great work and attitude! Really sped up the process on this!! Thank You!
This project has combined my love of painting and historic buildings. Thank you Kenney Fort for the challenge and opportunity!
Mural: "From Houghton & Wyton to Round Rock with Love”
This mural features the village the owners (Tim & Julia Jones) come from, Houghton & Wyton.
The flour mill on the left is a 18th Century National trust property Houghton Mill - National Trust. The owner's favorite pub in their hometown is featured on the right-- The Three Jolly Butchers, Wyton
In the background is the village center with other iconic buildings and businesses including The Three Horseshoes pub.
Kenney Fort Showdown Mural:
Kenney Fort was the 1st permanent settlement in Round Rock. There was an event that involved Kenney Fort in helping to keep Austin as the capital...you may have heard of the Archives War? During the research, I discovered there was actually a newspaper called the Texian and it was published by G.H. Harrison at $1.50 per month.
Text on mural...
Texas’ President Sam Houston announced in December 1842 that Austin was to no longer be the capital! In attempts to move national records away from enemy forces and eventually move the capital to Houston, he called on government troops to secretly remove the archives from Austin. On the morning of December 30, Austin innkeeper, Mrs. Eberly, caught site of the archives being loaded into wagons and fired a canon to alert the city. A pro-Austin faction chased down the wagons to Kenney Fort where the troops surrendered to avoid bloodshed. The records were returned to Austin and hidden to preserve Austin as capital of Texas and keeper of the archives! Austinites celebrated with a New Year's Eve party.
"Cheers Y'all" seemed so appropriate for a British Pub in Texas!-- with some abstract blending of flags.
My British father says “Cheers” pretty much before every drink & meal, so makes me smile and think fondly of him! I grew up in New York -when I went to college in Georgia I learned "y'all". It took years for me to feel comfortable using it, now it is part of my everyday conversation and luckily common usage in Texas. Cheers Y’all blends it all together. Thanks to Izzy Richey for joining me in painting.
Kenny Fort Pub owner's Tim & Julia Jones are in the last few photos. Adorable family! Their sons are too cute with their British accents and curious about every step happening with mum & dad's pub
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