A Vibrant Tribute: Cal Johnson Community Center Mural Blends History & Art

Yesterday at Cal Johnson Community Center, I had the chance to witness the unveiling of a beautiful new 45-foot mural inside the gymnasium. The artwork honors the legacy of Cal Johnson, a formerly enslaved man who became one of Knoxville’s most successful Black businessmen and philanthropists. Learning more about Johnson’s life and seeing his story brought to life in bold color reminded me just how much depth and power lives in this city’s past, and how that history continues to shape its future.

Upon arriving at the 3.7-acre Cal Johnson Park, I was immediately drawn to the most visible element of the outdoor space: the colorful basketball courts, a public art project installed five years ago (see IOK‘s story here). The rejuvenated Cal Johnson Community Center, located adjacent to the park, reflects Johnson’s legacy of fostering community engagement. The facility features an indoor gymnasium, a weight and fitness room, meeting spaces and additional outdoor basketball courts. It hosts vital after-school and summer programs for children aged 6 to 14, providing structured activities, crafts and snacks at an affordable cost.

The remarkable story of Caldonia “Cal” Fackler Johnson is one of resilience, determination, grit and ultimate success. Born into slavery in 1844, Cal Johnson became Knoxville’s first Black millionaire through sheer determination and an entrepreneurial spirit. He began by relocating/burying the bodies of Union soldiers and used that profit to open a series of saloons in 1879. He also built Knoxville’s only racetrack, now known as Speedway Circle. (It’s said that the first plane to ever land in Knoxville landed on that very track flown by none other than the Wright Brothers!) Johnson owned racehorses and real estate and served as an alderman in Knoxville for two terms. He was an influential businessman who notably contributed this land to the city in 1922, enhancing the community he deeply cherished.

However, in the 1960s part of the park was demolished, along with a marble fountain and archway, tennis courts and a playground, during the period of urban renewal. In 2020, the rec center underwent renovations that included resurfacing the basketball courts and the creation of vibrant murals in collaboration with 2K Foundations and local sports icon, WNBA and former Lady Vol Candace Parker.

And now, there is a new mural by Adam Henry (The Elder) and Adam Henry (The Younger), a father-son duo who have ties to Knoxville but now live in Virginia. Their mural was chosen to represent Cal Johnson for its storytelling capabilities. They painted, literally, the history of Johnson’s impact on the Knoxville community.

Councilwoman Gwen McKenzie opened the ribbon-cutting ceremony by sharing some of the area’s history and Johnson’s story, then handed it over to Mayor Indya Kincannon, who said a few words and praised the Public Arts Committee and Sheryl Ely, the parks and recreation director for the City of Knoxville.

As Mayor Kincannon put it, “This project is a great example of remembering our history in a place that is still vibrant, that has young people coming to it and their families, so they can learn about what art and history had to do with this place. So, people can come here for sports and recreation, and then they are enjoying this beautiful art and learning from that art.”

The mural, from right to left, depicts Johnson’s image as found on a business card from his time, with a tree behind him. One of his saloons was called Lone Tree Pass. As the story goes, the tree died, but it held significance for Johnson, and he never cut it down. The tree in the mural has deep roots, just like Johnson did in Knoxville, that extend throughout the painting to the left side of the mural, encompassing more of Johnson’s contributions. The artists created a rendering of the Cal Johnson Building, a historically preserved downtown landmark, in vibrant purple on the mural. You will also see the Speedway Circle, as well as the Knoxville skyline. On the far left, Johnson is pictured in front of an archway that used to be the entrance to Cal Johnson Park.

I talked to Darrow Davenport (Coach D), one of the Center’s recreation specialists, who told me it was an incredible process to watch from start to finish. The artists included them in the color scheme decisions and worked with the staff to coordinate the timing of the projection, ensuring that the lights could be dimmed when needed. They then filled in the space with color and personality.

This mural serves as a reminder of the importance of shared history, honoring it and making reparations where possible.

Learn more about the Cal Johnson Community Center here.