On February 22, 2025, the Pharmacy and Medical Museum of Texas unveiled the stunning Museum Founder’s Mural, created by talented artist Rafael Acosta, Jr. This remarkable piece serves as a poignant tribute from Joe Reuss to his beloved wife, Wanda, who passed away in 2011. The mural embodies Joe's deep love and admiration for Wanda, capturing their enduring bond. Tragically, Reuss passed away in 2024 and did not have the chance to witness the final masterpiece, leaving behind a legacy of love intertwined with art.
For many years, the idea of creating a mural honoring the founders had been in the works; however, Reuss was too ill in the last year of his life to choose an image. After his funeral reception, Amber Fitts-Jones, the museum manager, sorted through the photographs donated by Reuss and discovered one that stood out. "This was one of the pictures I found. I thought it was appropriate—depicting their younger days, and it's a wonderful-looking couple. They appear very happy together. I truly believe Joe would have liked this image because Wanda was the love of his life. He adored that woman,” Fitts-Jones stated.
In an oral history interview with the Cuero Heritage Museum (CHM), Joseph B. Reuss (commonly known as Joe) recounted his family's immigration to Texas from Germany in 1845. They eventually settled in Cuero after the hurricane of 1876.
Reuss was a longtime registered pharmacist and former owner of both Reuss Pharmacy and Value Mart Pharmacy in Cuero.
“I come from a medical family. Almost everyone in my family has been connected to the medical profession in one way or another,” Reuss said.
In addition to their many business ventures, community involvement, and philanthropic efforts, the Reuss couple played a crucial role in restoring, preserving, and rehabilitating numerous historic structures in downtown Cuero. They were particularly concerned about the presence of empty buildings. In 1972, Joe and Wanda decided to transform L. L. Buttery Drugs into a museum, beginning by purchasing the building from Mr. Buttery.
Over the years, they collected a variety of pharmaceuticals and medical items, including family heirlooms.
“I had a treasure trove of pharmaceutical items that I just wouldn't let go of. It was her (Wanda's) desire, along with mine, that we simply couldn't part with these things. We couldn't bear to see them someday sold in a garage sale or an estate sale,” Reuss explained.
On the other side of town, Reuss built a larger building at 515 North Esplanade, which still houses Reuss Pharmacy, in 1971. Reuss discovered Rafael Acosta, who returned to Texas in 1998 to care for his mother and commissioned him to paint murals on the back wall of Reuss Pharmacy (the wall is currently adjacent to McDonald's).
Acosta explained his vision of depicting “un-endangered species” where animals could live freely without becoming endangered in DeWitt County.
“You'll see a painting of a buck, a bobcat, a hummingbird, and fish. Rather than depict something endangered, I thought, for Texas, we are blessed with some un-endangered species,” Acosta said.
“He (Reuss) was very supportive and understood my vision. I was very grateful,” he added.
After cleaning and repainting the building around the paintings, Gerald Zingerle and Reuss installed overhead lighting above the murals.
“You could drive by, and it looked like an art gallery. Then, at night, it would light up beautifully. They had a little sign that read, 'An Un-Endangered Species Art Gallery,'” Acosta said.
In the left mural, Acosta depicted pills, elixirs, and other items found in pharmacies. He received authorized permission from Norman Rockwell to use the image “The Saturday Evening Post.”
"I believe that art is incredibly important, and I stand by that statement. I am very proud of my artwork, particularly my mural work. I strive to create pieces that are enduring and lasting. I never use spray cans; instead, I rely on traditional brush techniques and high-quality paints that you would find in art galleries," he emphasized.
Acosta expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support from his beloved hometown of Cuero. The remarkable generosity and civic commitment of Joe and Wanda Reuss, Rafael Acosta, Amber Fitts-Jones, the Pharmacy and Medical Museum, and the entire community of Cuero have come together to create the extraordinary Founder’s Mural Masterpiece.
Come and see the mural! The Pharmacy & Medical Museum of Texas is located at 114 E. Main. For more information, check the link. https://pharmacyandmedicalmuseum.org/
