Nestled on the back wall of the stage in the hall of American Legion Post 539 in North Baltimore, Ohio, is a piece of history local veterans are very proud of: A mural painted in 1952 by a local painter named “Karl Barth” affixed to the wall.
On this painting are four North Baltimore veterans who served in World War II along with scenes depicting explosions in the background, and if you look really close, a sniper.
As the story is told, this painting was displayed above the canteen since 1952 in a previous location that was home to Post 539. When that building was evacuated and bulldozed to rubble, the painting was salvaged and stored in a garage adjacent to the current home of Post 539 In 1987. The new post opened in 1988, and it wasn’t until approximately 1997 that the painting that all but had been forgotten was “found” in the same place it was stored 10 years earlier. Then Commander Sam Bretz brought it out of storage and discovered that it fit perfectly in the hall, on the back wall of the stage. It was later sealed for protection and hangs where it was hung in 1997.
The individuals on the mural are Frank Paden, AAC, Dale Symonds, Army, Arvid Steif, USMC, and Hilas Brown, Navy. Each went on to successful lives, and some had harrowing stories from their time serving.
This mural, albeit of World War II veterans, not only represents the “War to End all Wars” veterans, but all veterans past and present from North Baltimore who have served in defense of our great nation.