Gallatin Public Art and Mural Walk

Gallatin’s clearest self-guided mural walk is concentrated along West Franklin Street near the Downtown Gallatin Square. Start with the “Gallatin Trains and Trolleys” mural at 110 W. Franklin St., then continue to the “High School Rival Game of 1970” mural at 122 W. Franklin St. The City also presents rotating public-art panels along Town Creek Greenway, but those displays change periodically, so check the City’s latest public-art notice before planning a separate greenway visit. [cite:city-downtown-murals,city-town-creek-art]

Gallatin’s most practical mural walk is a short downtown route along West Franklin Street, just off the historic Downtown Gallatin Square. The two City-documented murals have different subjects: one explains Gallatin’s railroad and trolley history, while the other remembers a 1970 basketball game between Gallatin High School and Union High School.

The route works well for residents, visitors and photographers who want a compact public-art stop that can be combined with downtown shops, restaurants and other attractions. The City describes Downtown Gallatin as a walkable district with the square, dining, shopping, historic attractions and the murals grouped among its downtown experiences.

> Last verified: August 16, 2026. Mural locations and City public-art information should be checked again before a visit because artwork, access and temporary exhibitions can change.

Gallatin mural walk at a glance

Stop — Location — What to look for — Best fit

Gallatin Trains and Trolleys — Old Soul Tattoo, 110 W. Franklin St. — Railroad, trolley and Gallatin transportation history — History-minded visitors and detail photographers

High School Rival Game of 1970 — Chubbs Restaurant, 122 W. Franklin St. — Two former rival schools, local sports history and community memory — Portraits, sports images and civic-history photography

Town Creek Greenway art panels — Trailhead near College Street, extending north toward Westland Avenue when an exhibition is installed — Rotating outdoor photography and artwork — Walkers, cyclists and changing seasonal photo subjects

The first two stops are the dependable core of this self-guided route because the City publishes street addresses for both murals. The greenway display is a separate, changing public-art experience rather than a permanent mural stop.

Downtown Gallatin mural route

Stop 1: Gallatin Trains and Trolleys

Address: 110 W. Franklin Street, on the side of Old Soul Tattoo.

This mural is positioned just off the Gallatin Square between the former locations associated with the L&N Depot and the Nashville Light & Railway trolley station. Its imagery connects two transportation systems that helped shape Gallatin: the Louisville & Nashville Railroad and the Nashville Light & Railway Company’s Nashville-Gallatin interurban route.

Look closely for the L&N depot tower, a steam engine, railroad logos and the “Gallatin TN Mile 159” reference. The trolley side includes imagery connected to the Bluegrass Line, trolley car 201 and conductor T.J. Cato. The City’s artist statement says the mural uses historical imagery to show how railroad and trolley transportation came together in Gallatin.

Photography ideas:

• Use a wider angle to include the full composition and the surrounding Franklin Street setting.
• Photograph the railroad and trolley halves separately if you want more detail and less distortion.
• Look for strong vertical lines in the depot and trolley imagery.
• Visit at a time when you can stand safely away from the building and avoid blocking business entrances.

Stop 2: High School Rival Game of 1970

Address: 122 W. Franklin Street, on the side of Chubbs Restaurant.

A short walk along West Franklin Street brings you to the mural about the 1970 basketball game between Gallatin High School and Union High School. According to the City’s artist statement, the teams’ captains, Eddie Sherlin and Bill Ligon, had been childhood friends. The mural presents the game as both a local sports story and a reflection of Gallatin’s difficult racial history and subsequent change.

The design uses the visual language of late-1960s baseball cards, with school colors, mascots and portraits arranged in two contrasting sides. The City notes that the imagery was based on school memorabilia specific to the Gallatin community.

Photography ideas:

• Photograph the two sides independently to capture the school-specific details.
• Include the full wall when documenting the mural’s larger historical meaning.
• For people-centered photos, use the figures and school imagery as a backdrop without obstructing the restaurant or sidewalk.
• Be respectful when photographing visitors, employees or customers near the mural.

Other public-art opportunities near downtown

Town Creek Greenway exhibition panels

Gallatin also has a rotating outdoor-art program along Town Creek Greenway. A City notice published May 31, 2025, described a Richard Suter photography exhibition installed from the trailhead near College Street north toward Westland Avenue. The notice said each collection consisted of 10 panels measuring 24 by 18 inches and that displays change over time.

Because the greenway artwork is temporary, treat it as an optional add-on rather than a guaranteed stop. Check the City’s current news or public-art information before going. The City has previously presented collections featuring historic photographs, paintings, student artwork and photography, so the visual experience may differ from one visit to the next.

The City’s downtown murals page also identifies a Ray Underhill mural among “Other Gallatin Murals,” but the accessible page text does not provide a current street address. It should not be added to a precise walking route until its location is confirmed.

How to plan the walk

Allow time for the art and the district

The two addressed murals are close enough to treat as one compact Franklin Street outing. Add time if you plan to browse downtown businesses, visit the square or stop for food. The City’s downtown guide lists restaurants, shops, the Gallatin Public Library, the Palace Theater, the Sumner County Museum and Town Creek Greenway among nearby attractions.

Use the square as your orientation point

Downtown Gallatin Square is listed at 133 Public Square, Gallatin, Tennessee 37066. It was established in 1802 and now serves as a central reference point for downtown shops, restaurants and attractions.

For navigation, search the individual mural addresses rather than relying on an unofficial “Gallatin murals map.” The City’s official mural page is the best starting point for the two documented Franklin Street locations.

Plan for an urban sidewalk setting

This is a downtown photography walk, not a dedicated trail. Wear comfortable shoes, watch for traffic and sidewalk changes, and leave clear access to the businesses whose walls display the murals. Do not enter private or employee-only areas to get a closer image. If a downtown event, construction project or temporary closure affects the route, use the City and Downtown Gallatin event information to adjust your timing.

Photo timing and equipment

Early morning or later afternoon can provide softer light, but the best time depends on the wall’s orientation, nearby buildings and weather. Bring a wide-angle lens for full-wall compositions and a standard lens for historical details. A phone camera is sufficient for documenting the route; photographers should prioritize safe positioning over getting a perfectly centered image.

What to verify before you go

Before setting out, check:

1. Whether both mural walls are fully visible from the public sidewalk.
2. Whether downtown events, construction or business activity changes access around West Franklin Street.
3. Whether a current Town Creek Greenway art collection is installed.
4. Whether the Ray Underhill mural has a publicly confirmed address if you want to add it.
5. Whether the weather is suitable for a longer downtown walk or greenway extension.

The City’s mural page and news announcements should be treated as the authoritative starting points for current public-art information. The Tennessee Arts Commission also documents Gallatin’s mural project as a creative-placemaking effort involving public, nonprofit, educational and community partners.

Make it a broader downtown Gallatin outing

After the murals, continue exploring the square’s shops, restaurants and historic attractions. For a larger arts-and-heritage itinerary, pair the walk with the Sumner County Museum, the Palace Theater, the Gallatin Public Library or a scheduled downtown event. The City’s downtown guide maintains the current list of nearby destinations and links to the Downtown Gallatin events calendar.

Next step: Save the two Franklin Street addresses, check the City’s latest public-art notice, and plan your visit around the downtown businesses or attractions you want to include.