“NIGHT TRAIN”

“Night Train”

The building with the “Night Train” dates back to the 1890’s. The mural was painted by Blue Sky in 1995. The original mural had a real light that lit up the night. However, it had to be removed because it was too real and scared folks into thinking a real train was arriving.

Subject Matter 

In 1894 Henry Flagler Flagler purchased short line railroads in what would later become known as the Florida East Coast Railway. He built the railroad down the east coast of Florida from Jacksonville to Fort Pierce. The railroad allowed growers and fisherman access to northern markets. Passengers could travel faster and in a much more comfortable manner on what they called the “Orange Blossom Express.” Mr. Flagler designated Fort Pierce as a stopover point in 1911. And the population soared! The sleepy little village of 300 souls in 1905 – jumped to 3,500 a decade later in 1915.

About the Artist

Blue Sky was born Warren Edward Johnson in Columbia, South Carolina, on September 18, 1938. He attended Dreher High School before his acceptance at the University of South Carolina, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in art and education. Sky has been painting professionally for over 45 years, and has been solely supported by his art since 1970. In 1974, he legally changed his name to Blue Sky.

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