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Scenic Stop: Local artist adds WOW factor at Pompeys Pillar National Monument
Imagine this. You’re driving across eastern Montana on I-94. It’s a warm, summer day. Last stop was two hours ago, when you got some iced tea. Large. Are we there yet?
Whether it’s the main destination or an unplanned rest stop, Pompeys Pillar National Monument is a welcome break for travelers. Located adjacent to the interstate, the Pillar with its shady grounds and staffed interpretive center draws 25,000 visitors each season. Now, thanks to the talent of a local artist, even the vault toilets offer a reason to linger.
Artist Rilie Tanè, a native Montanan who was born and raised not too far from Pompeys Pillar, recently completed murals on the interior of the two small buildings. One shows what you might have seen at the Pillar many years ago, and the other depicts current views. If her work looks familiar, you may have seen some of her other murals on buildings around Billings, Missoula and other Montana locations.
These restrooms are typically the first buildings that visitors enter after parking their vehicles, and the new murals will help introduce them to the site. We were looking for a way to “wow” the visitors and help them connect to the cultural and natural significance of this special place.