The City of Rippey is celebrating its 150th birthday, and despite COVID-19 delaying the official celebratory event to 2021, one present was delivered right on time.

A mural of the city was painted on the east brick wall of Rolling Hills Bank. Greene County High School art teacher Sara Stott’s design depicts the City’s name on top of an agricultural landscape, along with a pocket watch with various cultural references as icons, a nod to its baseball history with a jersey hanging off to the right side of the mural. 

Rippey Mayor Dan Brubaker describes his reaction to seeing the completed piece of art.

“I thought it was fantastic. She’s done a fantastic job on it. I was in on the planning of what it was going to be, but at the time – looking at it then – it just looked kind of plain on black and white paper. I think it’s fantastic and I just love it.”

The Friends of Rippey received a Greene County Community Foundation grant, along with a matching donation from Rolling Hills Bank for the mural. Friends President Mary Weaver says a train engine is at the center of the pocket watch and it has historical significance. She notes that the town was moved from where it first had settled near the Raccoon River to be closer to the railroad.

Rolling Hills Bank President Darrell Hockenberry says they were delighted to help with the project after he was approached by Weaver.

“We were real happy when Mary contacted us. I know she had applied for a grant to help with the cost, and it required some matching funds, and we were happy to provide those so that this could be a reality. Rippey is a great community and we wanted to help them celebrate their 150th anniversary. So we were happy to be a part of it.”

The Friends of Rippey expresses its appreciation to Rolling Hills Bank and the Greene County Community Foundation for their assistance in this endeavor.