Lee Jamison Nears Completion of Historic Mural in Downtown Huntsville

Celebrated Texas artist pays tribute to local figures and history at 12th and Sam Houston

A Legacy in Paint: Jamison’s Tribute to Huntsville’s Historical Figures

HUNTSVILLE, Texas — If you’ve driven through downtown Huntsville in recent months, you’ve likely noticed a colorful transformation taking place at the corner of 12th Street and Sam Houston Avenue. That transformation is nearly complete, thanks to renowned Texas artist Lee Jamison.

Jamison has spent the past two months working diligently on a massive, historically rich mural that now stretches across the exterior wall of a soon-to-open wine and coffee bar—complete with a bookstore—in the heart of downtown. He began painting on March 10, 2025, and is now down to the final details, with only a few strips of blue painter’s tape marking touch-up areas on the right side.

A Dream 40 Years in the Making

For Jamison, this project is the fulfillment of a vision he’s carried for decades. “This wall has been calling to me for about 40 years,” he said. “It kind of just sat there like honey for Winnie the Pooh calling to me.”

Although Huntsville is home to the largest collection of Richard Haas murals in the world, this particular wall remained untouched for years because the property owners had not granted an easement to the city. That changed this year. “When the chance came to get an opportunity to design for the wall, I was all over it,” Jamison said.

Celebrating Huntsville’s Legacy

The mural is a sweeping tribute to Huntsville’s role in Texas history and includes detailed portraits of influential figures including, but not limited to:

• Henderson Yoakum, librarian at Austin College, who authored a two-volume history of Texas.
• Sam Houston, the legendary Texas leader and namesake of the city.
• Anna Pennybacker, a pioneer educator whose textbook defined Texas history for decades.
• Minnie Fisher Cunningham, a suffrage leader from nearby New Waverly and the first president of the National League of Women Voters.
• Jasper Sanford, the first Black librarian and faculty member at Sam Houston State University.
• Joshua Houston, formerly enslaved, who became a respected community leader and grand marshal of the 1900 Juneteenth parade.
• Samuel Walker Houston, his son, who established a high school for Black students and later served as superintendent of Black schools in Huntsville.

“These are all people who were doing that, taking those risks and standing out in front,” Jamison said. “History is people who take risks and stand out in front.”

Art That Sparks Curiosity

For Jamison, art is more than beauty—it’s a bridge to understanding. “We now know that there are records of cave paintings going back over 100,000 years,” he explained. “That, to me, is as important as language… because you can’t hide what it means.”

He hopes this mural invites questions and reflection: “These will, I hope, raise questions for people about why this is here, what’s important about this image and these people.”

New Life for a Historic Corner

The mural isn’t the only exciting development at the site. It wraps around a building that will soon house a unique gathering space—a combination wine bar, coffee shop, and bookstore—aimed at drawing the community together in both conversation and culture.

With the mural nearly complete and the business preparing to open its doors, the corner of 12th and Sam Houston is poised to become one of Huntsville’s most iconic downtown landmarks.

About Lee Jamison

Lee Jamison is a respected artist based in Huntsville, Texas. A full-time professional since 1982, he is known for capturing the spirit of East Texas landscapes and historical scenes. His work has been featured in exhibitions across the state, including at the University of Texas and Baylor University. To learn more, visit leejamison.com.