Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
IVAN HELLEN, of Friends of Miners Memorial Heritage Park, discusses a new historical interpretive sign unveiled at the G Shaft of the Pabst Mine during Tuesday’s Pabst Mine Disaster Vigil at the park in Ironwood.
IRONWOOD — The Friends of Miners Memorial Heritage Park unveiled two new interpretive signs Tuesday at the park in Ironwood during their fifth annual vigil on the anniversary of the Pabst Mine Disaster.
The Pabst Mine Disaster occurred on Sept. 24, 1926, when a cave-in at the G Shaft killed three miners instantly and trapped 43 miners for five days. The tragedy made national headlines following the rescue efforts. The signs, located at the mine’s G and H shafts, recount the tragedy and rescue of the surviving miners.
Ethan Puisto sang “Amazing Grace” to kick off the event, attended by 25 people including relatives of miners who were trapped in the disaster. The group then walked the Miners Trail to the G Shaft, where the first sign was unveiled. Friends of MMHP member Ivan Hellen discussed the tragedy. A vigil for the three miners who were killed was held and “Taps” was played.
Attendees then visited the H Shaft, where the miners were rescued. The second sign was unveiled and the vigil for all the miners killed and trapped was held.
Before the vigil, Friends of MMHP President Monie Shackleford led a walk along the Pabst Loop of the Miners Trail and discussed future locations of interpretive signs. The group also saw the location of a new bench, donated in memory of former White Pine Mine employee George Skaja, that will be installed in the coming weeks.
