Hannibal's Hydrants Get Some Custom Paint

NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS | By Peter Gray

Published August 20, 2013 at 10:21 AM CDT

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Some rusty, faded fire hydrants in Hannibal, Missouri are getting creative touch-ups.

Julie Rolsen owns a gift shop in the Mississippi River town and also runs a bed and breakfast. This spring, city leaders granted Rolsen permission to launch the "Hannibal Hydrant Project".

Inspired by similar public art in Canada, she's volunteering her paintbrush to create an artsy walking tour for visitors.

Rolsen joined Peter Gray on Illinois Edition to talk about her work - and how locals are responding.

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Peter Gray

Peter has a diverse background in public, independent and commercial media production. Beginning in 2011, Peter served as reporter and “Morning Edition” host for WUIS. He completed his work at WUIS in 2014. Prior to his start in public radio, he covered the Illinois legislature for NBC affiliate WANDTV-17 and helped launch Phenom Features, a non-profit apprenticeship film studio. Peter hails from Oswego, Ill., where he grew up watching WTTW-11/PBS.

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