Tillie

Tillie is a mural in Asbury Park, New Jersey, in the United States, showing a face with large eyes and a wide smile. The painting extends several meters across a white exterior wall beside the Paramount Theatre and draws attention from a distance.

The mural was created during the winter of 1955 to 1956 on the building of the Palace Amusements amusement park. It was salvaged in 2004 and then spent 17 years in a warehouse before being reinstalled at its current location.

The name refers to George C. Tilyou, who created the model for this smiling face at Steeplechase Park in Coney Island. For many residents of Asbury Park, the mural recalls the days when the Palace Amusements amusement park was still operating.

The mural is located on the exterior wall beside the Paramount Theatre and is freely accessible from the street. It can best be viewed from the opposite side of the street to take in its full height.

During the years in the warehouse, the mural was almost forgotten until local activists and artists fought for its reinstallation. The restoration required careful cleaning and repair to bring back the bright red and black of the original painting.

Location: New Jersey

GPS coordinates: 40.21780,-74.00310

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:28