The WPA Murals of Ruth Monro Augur

in

The Garfield County Courthouse, Enid, Oklahoma

Colorful mural depicting a historic wagon train of covered wagons and horses with Native American figures in a desert landscape with mountains, shrubs, and a stream
Colorful mural depicting a historical scene of Native Americans and explorers on horseback and walking, with river, hills, and clouds in background.
Colorful mural depicting bison and Native American hunters with bows on a yellow grassland, with a blue water stream on the left and a pink sky background. Ruth Monro Augur WPA artwork.
Colorful mural depicting cowboys herding cattle, riding horses in a mountain landscape, and engaging in outdoor activities. Ruth Monro Augur WPA artwork.

The WPA murals and Jailhouse Art contained in this WPA constructed courthouse make the Garfield County Courthouse unique in all of the United States. Nothing compares.

The WPA murals painted by Ruth Monro Augur, beginning in 1935 were, and are, the largest works of their kind for the Works Progress Administration Art Project, and the largest mural project ever undertaken by a woman at that time. The WPA murals were all painted on canvas within the walls of the courthouse in Ruth's makeshift art studio on the 2nd floor of the courthouse as it was being built. This WPA Project 65-65-995 was accomplished with the cooperation of the Garfield County Commissioners.

The Jailhouse Art on the fourth and fifth floor (previous jail) that were painted on the bare concrete walls in 1976 are all unique, one-of-a-kind pieces painted by Burgess and Paladine Roye, two incredibly talented Ponca brothers from Oklahoma. More info on the Jailhouse Art here.

Again, you will not find anything that compares to what is held inside the Garfield County Courthouse and old jail. And we've not even mentioned the painting on the wall in the basement, which was painted by Burgess Roye in 1976.

This site is about the murals painted by Ruth Monro Augur. Ruth was born into a military family with roots in the 13 Colonies. Her family members were present and active in all of the wars up the 30s. Go to the ‘Miss Augur’ page for a little more info. I suspect Miss Augur was quite the show woman in her day.