Purcell Murals

Chloride, Arizona

High in a rocky canyon in northwest Arizona, above the town of Chloride, artist Roy Purcell had a message from his inner voice. His quest to find himself would end here, and the towering granite walls of the canyon would be his canvas. Starting in 1966, he painted a collection of murals entitled "The Journey." These "images from an inward search for self" are rich in color and symbolism: a serpent, a goddess, a scarab beetle ... a blend of contemporary psychedelia and ancient Native American motifs. I will not attempt to interpret these images -- everyone who comes here will arrive by a different path, and will see their own journey on these rocks.

Directions: The town of Chloride is 20 miles northwest of Kingman, Arizona. From the signed turnoff on Highway 93, a 4-mile paved road leads to the town. To visit the murals, continue on the main road through town (Tennessee Avenue). At the far end of town, the pavement ends. The murals are 1.3 miles farther; stay on the main dirt road, ignoring side road turnoffs. At the time of my visit, a high-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle was necessary to drive all the way to the murals.

Last visited: December 2005.

Standard disclaimer: Sites are described for entertainment purposes only, as they were at the time of my last visit. I can not vouch for the current condition of the site or its accessibility.