The Tree On Route 20 in Furnessville

“The Tree on Route 20” celebrates a beloved American Elm that once stood proudly along Highway 20 in Furnessville, Indiana — a familiar sight for anyone traveling toward the Indiana Dunes. For decades, its sweeping canopy stretched across several lanes of traffic.

Over time, the elm’s health declined from repeated utility cuts and roadwork. In 2025, it was finally taken down — and the loss was felt deeply by the community.
This watercolor is my way of remembering that tree.

I painted the piece on 11″ × 15″ clay-coated Aquabord, layering transparent watercolor washes with textured dry-brush details. Later, I re-imagined the image as a South Shore Line-inspired vintage travel poster — a tribute both to the tree itself and to the region’s spirit of place, given the history of the South Shore Line artwork that is well known in our region.

Today, The Tree on Route 20 poster has found homes with collectors across Northwest Indiana, throughout the U.S., and even as far as Spain — a small reminder that local stories can travel far.

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