Images by Al Blanton
JASPER, ALA. – Jasper Main Street proudly announces the completion of the newly recreated Sergeant William Jasper mural in Downtown Jasper.
The original mural, painted by muralist Missy Miles, was lost in a devastating downtown fire in July 2025. Miles has now recreated the beloved artwork at its new location on 3rd Avenue South between 19th and 20th Streets, restoring an important piece of Downtown Jasper’s public art and local history.
The mural’s return is especially meaningful as the nation commemorates its 250th anniversary. On June 28, 1776, Sergeant William Jasper, Jasper’s namesake, became a celebrated hero of the American Revolution during the defense of Charleston, South Carolina. Under heavy British naval fire, Jasper famously risked his life to retrieve and raise the fallen South Carolina flag at Fort Sullivan, an act of courage that helped cement his place in American history.
The City of Jasper once again honors the bravery and legacy of its namesake through the restoration of this familiar downtown landmark.
The original Sergeant Jasper mural was commissioned in 2015 by Dr. David Rowland. Following its loss in the 2025 fire, his daughter, Sue Ellen Rowland Summers, commissioned the new mural in memory of Mary Ellen and David J. Rowland, ensuring that both the artwork and the story it represents would continue for future generations.
Fortunately, the historic marker accompanying the original mural survived the fire and has now been reinstalled alongside the newly completed artwork.
“Thank you to the City of Jasper Street Department staff for assistance with the installation of both the historic marker and the new dedication marker at the mural site,” said Mike Putman, Executive Director of Jasper Main Street.
The Historic Marker reads:
Sergeant William Jasper was a soldier, hero, scout and namesake of Jasper, Alabama. During the June 28, 1776 defense of Charleston against the Royal Navy, Sergeant Jasper courageously retrieved the fallen standard of the 2nd South Carolina Regiment after a British cannon severed the flag staff. Under intense fire, Jasper leapt from the parapet wall of Fort Sullivan (now Fort Moultrie) and recovered the flag and attached it to a cannon sponge staff and remounted the flag on the fortress wall. In recognition of his bravery, Sergeant Jasper was presented with a sword from his commanding officer and offered a commission as a Lieutenant, to which he refused.
The victory at Fort Sullivan in the defense of Charleston served to be vitally important to the Patriot cause. The colonial win was the first significant victory since the skirmish with the British at Concord on April 19, 1775. For the following years of the war, William Jasper served in the command of the “Swamp Fox,” Francis Marion, during the struggle against the British and Southern Tories. Sergeant Jasper was killed in action in 1779 during the Patriot attempt to regain Savannah, Georgia from the British.
“We are excited to have this important historical landmark being re-established in Jasper,” said Putman. “The restored mural serves as both a tribute to Jasper’s Revolutionary War namesake and a reminder of the community’s commitment to preserving its history, honoring its past and continuing to invest in the character of Downtown Jasper.” WL
