ROCHELLE – The Rochelle City Council chose a mural design for the second story of a downtown building Monday night. The mural would be installed on the south side of the second story of ALM Fine Cabinetry building. In 2024, the City issued a request for proposals to attract mural submissions from local and regional artists. The arts committee began working with artist Michael Ferrarell from Glenview. Michelle Pease, Rochelle Community Development Director, said the design of the locomotive should mean something to Rochelle residents.
“The very first Whitcomb was built here in Rochelle, and then it went all over Germany and has been all over the world,” she said. “So it’s kind of a cool part of our history.”
During World War I, the company produced armor-plated locomotives for the War Department. Work is set to begin soon, weather permitting.
