Fresco Hidden Since 1939 May Be Restored

The fresco that once adorned the west wall of Plummer Auditorium but was painted over decades ago may soon be uncovered.

Students from Fullerton High School, where the auditorium is located, last year began the push to restore the mural and hired consultants who told them that such a project is possible, district officials said.

In a presentation to trustees of the Fullerton Joint Union High School District this week, Assistant Supt. George West said Charles Kassler Jr. painted the mural in 1934.

Titled “Pastoral California,” the mural depicted the state’s rancho period of 1784 to 1846. West said it featured pictures of ranchers with their cattle and horses, Catholic missions, rodeos, fiestas, fandangos (dances) and portraits of Pio Pico, the last Mexican governor of California, and Laura Moya, a concert hall singer.

West said the mural is “a true fresco, which was painted on moist lime plaster surface with colors ground in water or a lime/water mix. That’s why this is a real jewel, a treasure.”

But for reasons unknown to the school district, the school board in 1939 had the mural painted over, West said.

Kendall D. Neisess, the class president of Fullerton High School in 1938, said he remembers a spirited debate in which a majority of the board pressed for repainting, probably because some of the women in the mural were “presented as rather large and buxom,” and other scenes were thought to be in bad taste.

But, he said,: “I think it is a vivid historical picture that should be uncovered.”

The current school board members agreed and said they will work on ways to raise the estimated $30,000 needed and begin plans to resurrect the fresco. They said if funds can be raised for the project, they will use it as an educational tool for the district’s advanced art students.