For more than twenty years, the old plow blade outside the Town of Washington town shop stood as a landmark on Deerskin Road. It was a bright, bold splash of color created by the art students of Northland Pines High School. Their paintbrushes transformed a piece of everyday equipment into something more…a symbol of youthful creativity, community pride, and the spirit of the town.
But time and weather are relentless storytellers. Season after season, sun, snow, wind, and rain slowly softened the once‑vibrant colors. The blade that had greeted residents for decades faded into the background, its story still meaningful but harder to see.
This summer, that story found a new chapter.
Local artist and town resident Mike Faulkner stepped forward with an offer to restore the blade and bring it back to life. Mike’s new design celebrates everyday northwoods life in the Town of Washington, featuring tall pines rising against the sky, a quiet lake reflecting the evening light, a cabin glowing with the warmth of sunset, and the steady, familiar feeling of a community that cherishes its past while looking confidently toward its future.
Mike’s work doesn’t replace the students’ original vision — it builds on it. The restored blade has become a kind of storybook of the Town of Washington’s identity, a tribute to the young artists who first imagined something special, and a gift from an artist who loves this place as deeply as the people who call it home.
Stop by the town shop at 4078 Deerskin Rd. to see the transformation for yourself. It’s history, art, and hometown pride all in one, and a reminder that even the most ordinary objects can become extraordinary when a community chooses to care for them.
The Town of Washington offers a heartfelt thank‑you to Mike Faulkner for sharing his time, talent, and hometown pride with this project. His work brings new life to a familiar landmark, and we are grateful for his generous contribution.
