Railroad Spur

This masterful painting is clear, clean, and colorful. It represents Dietrich’s mature talent. The artist was interested in industrial scenes in the Appleton area. They are as much a part of the region as the pastoral landscapes. The paper industry has been the mainstay of the local economy since 1854 when the first paper mill opened in Appleton. Many paper mills and related businesses line the Fox River, and trains have come through town since the 1860s. Dietrich painted such scenes early in his career and was still paint-ing them in 1997. He stayed true to his roots as a Regionalist artist.