| California (Contra Costa County), Antioch — The Cannery Lady |
| | In the early 19th century many canneries operated throughout California. The rich agricultural and fishing areas of east Contra Costa County hosted a number of canneries and packing sheds. The picturesque Antioch waterfront was home to two canneries and one packing shed.
Hickmott Canning Company, also known as Hickmott Foods, was on the river on the East side of town. Western California Canners, later known as Tullie Lewis Foods, occupied the waterfront on the West side of town. Between the . . . — Map (db m18292) |
| California (San Francisco City and County), San Francisco — The Garcia and Maggini Warehouse — San Francisco Landmark No. 229 |
| | At this location, on July 3, 1934, a dramatic clash occured, one that eventually touched the nation. Longshoremen, sailors, teamsters, and other waterfront workers had closed down Pacific coast shipping since May, in what came to be known as "The Big Strike". Business interests and employers, attempting to break the strike, or "open the port", formed the Industrial Association, and created the Atlas Drayage Company, which then rented space in this building, Garcia & Maggini Warehouse. On July . . . — Map (db m21179) |
| California (Yuba County), Wheatland — Durst Hop Ranch — Site of Wheatland Hop Riot — August 3, 1919 |
| | Second major labor dispute in the U.S.A. Initiated by the I.W.W. Labor movement. — Map (db m10530) |
| District of Columbia (Washington), Downtown — 16 — Cesar Chavez — 1927 - 1993 |
| | Led by his desire to secure a better quality of life for migrant farm workers, Cesar Chavez helped found the United Farm Workers of America, the first effective farm workers' union in the United States. Under his leadership of nonviolent protest, the UFW was able to secure improved wages and benefits, more humane living and working conditions, and better job security for some of the poorest workers in America. Through his life of service, Chavez provided inspiration to countless others. . . . — Map (db m15471) |
| District of Columbia (Washington), Mount Vernon Square/Shaw — 2 of 17 — For the Working People — Midcity at the Crossroads — Shaw Heritage Trail |
| | "There is not a wrong too long endured that we are not determined to abolish." Samuel Gompers.
This large office building opened in 1916 as the headquarters of the American Federation of Labor. With 2.5 million members, this union was the nation's largest and most powerful. The building's design by Milburn, Heister & Co. symbolized the union's maturity and strength.
The AF of L's first president was London-born Samuel Gompers (1850-1924). Gompers immigrated to New York in 1863, . . . — Map (db m22625) |
| District of Columbia (Washington), Northwest — United Mine Workers of America Building |
| | Has been designated a National Historic Landmark This site possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America Associated with the American Labor Movement since the 1930's, this building served for over two decades as organized labor's command post under the stewardship of United Mine Workers of America President John I. Lewis and continued as the UMWA's headquarters until 2000. — Map (db m19990) |
| Florida (Putnam County), Crescent City — F-564 — Asa Philip Randolph |
| | Civic Rights Activist, Trade Union Leader, Crusader for Justice. 1889–1979.
“Salvation for a race, nation or class must come from within. Freedom is never granted; it is won. Justice is never given; it is exacted.”
Asa Philip Randolph was born in Crescent City, Florida on April 15, 1889 to Rev. James Williams and Elizabeth Robinson Randolph. His father was a minister at this church where Randolph attended as a youth. In 1925 he became the founder and president of the . . . — Map (db m5514) |
| Georgia (Glynn County), St Simons Island — 063-34A — The Wesley Oak |
| | Not far from this spot stood the "great tree" under which Charles Wesley had prayers and preached, March 14, 1736, the first Sunday after his arrival. There were about twenty people present, among whom was Mr. Oglethorpe. A year later, Georgia Whitfield, appointed by the Bishop of London to serve as Deacon at Savannah and Frederica, wrote in his Journal (August 8, 1737): "In the evening we had publick Prayers, and expounding of the second Lesson under a large tree, and many more present than . . . — Map (db m12370) |
| Illinois (Grundy County), Diamond — The Diamond Mine Disaster |
| | The Diamond Mine of the Wilmington Coal Mining and Manufacturing Company, located near Braidwood on the Grundy-Will County line, was the site of a major mine disaster in Illinois.
The mine was on a marshy tract of land that had no natural drainage. At midday of February 16, 1883, the east side of the mine collapsed from the weight of melting snow, ice, and heavy rains. An alarm was sounded, and miners who were near the escapment shaft hurried to the surface. The main passage to the shaft . . . — Map (db m6868) |
| Illinois (Vermilion County), Danville — Workers Memorial — Vermilion County, Illinois |
| | Mourn for Fight for
the Dead the Living
Remember Vermilion County Workers
Killed on the Job
[Left Column of names]:
David Farnsworth - Danville PBPA •
Charles Deck - UAW # 579 •
David Clayburn - UAW # 579 •
Russell Weathers - Teamsters # 26 •
Steve Maddox - BMWE # 2703 •
Robert Wire - IBEW # 538 •
Dusty Rhodes - AIW # 972 •
Paul Lyons - Teamsters # 26 •
Bessie Mealer - AFGE # 1963 •
Lloyd Bender - Laborers # 624 •
John . . . — Map (db m10556) |
| Illinois (Vermilion County), Westville — Memorial To Westville Area Coal Miners |
| | They made this community the melting pot of nations and proved that men of all nationalities and creeds can work and live together.
"To the men who went to work below allowing the top to build and grow giving their labors in brawn and sweat creating the Finest Home Town Yet." — Map (db m11393) |
| Indiana (Vigo County), Terre Haute — 84.1992.1 — Home of Eugene V. Debs |
| | Debs (1855-1926) was leading pioneer in industrial unionism, social reformer, and peace advocate.
Founded American Railway Union, 1893; cofounded American Socialist Part, 1900; and ran five times for United States Presidency.
Home built in 1890; declared National Historic Landmark, 1966. — Map (db m8928) |
| Maryland (Montgomery County), Hillandale — Mother Jones — “Grand Old Champion of Labor” |
| | Mary Harris “Mother” Jones, the legendary labor organizer, spent a life fighting for unions and the rights of workers. She died at the Burgess Farm near here on November 30, 1930, aged 100 years. — Map (db m2435) |
| Massachusetts (Bristol County), New Bedford — Commonwealth of Toil |
| | Longshoremen’s Union. On this site in 1936, Cape Verdean and Portuguese dockworkers formed Locals 1413 and 1465 of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA). Prior to organizing, these dockworkers were chosen daily, based only on their physical ability, and had none of the benefits, security, or decent wages that came with the union. — Map (db m1614) |
| Michigan (Washtenaw County), Ypsilanti — S0509 — Willow Run |
| | [Marker Front]:
Willow Run (1941-1953)
After entering World War II in 1941, America desperately needed military equipment and supplies. The Ford Motor Company had begun building this factory in April 1941. Outstanding industrial architect Albert Kahn designed Willow Run, one of the largest manufacturing plants under one roof in the world. Completed in early 1942, this bulwark of the "Arsenal of Democracy" produced 8685 B-24 Liberator Bombers and had a peak employment of 42,000 men . . . — Map (db m14296) |
| Minnesota (St. Louis County), Hibbing — Finnish Workers Hall |
| | The Finnish people were one of the first ethnic groups to arrive in this area in the late 1890's and early 1900's.
They built this building on this site in 1909. It was used for stage plays, dances and other social events put on for the Finnish community.
It was also a place for the workers to discuss working conditions and how to improve them. They were very instrumental in organizing the first unions. — Map (db m5144) |
| Nevada (Clark County), Hoover Dam — They Laboured that Millions might see a Brighter Day |
| | In Memory of our Fellowmen who lost their lives in the construction of this dam. — Map (db m1312) |
| Nevada (Storey County), Virginia City — 30 — Old Miners Union Hall |
| | The Miners Union was organized in 1867. The Union fought for recognition, safety, family welfare, and a living wage $4.00 per day. This building, owned and maintained since 1913 by Aerie 532 F. O. E., was built in 1876. The original hall was destroyed in the 1875 fire. — Map (db m21955) |
| Nevada (Storey County), Virginia City — The Glory of Solidarity and Fraternity |
| | In Sept. 1864, while Atlanta smoldered, the first use of military force to allay labor unrest in the West occurred when Governor J. W. Nye ordered 2 companies of Calvary from Fort Churchill to end a strike by The Story County Miner’s League. The Unions of the Comstock believed they were essential components in a successful industrial economy. The Virginia City Miner’s Union was a vital part of local society and respected for their efforts to help disabled mineworkers, the widow and the . . . — Map (db m21957) |
| New Jersey (Atlantic County), Atlantic City — Atlantic City Workers Monument |
| | Dedicated to the men and women
of organized labor who lost their
lives while working on the
redevelopment of Atlantic City
We honor these workers
[List of 25 names follow]
"You will always be remembered"
Erected April 28, 1998 by the members of the Atlantic - Cape May County CLC–AFL–CIO on behalf of their fallen brothers and sisters. — Map (db m5796) |
| New York (New York County), New York — Union Square Park — National Historic Landmark |
| | This site possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America.
Here workers exercised their rights to free speech and assembly and on September 5, 1882, observed the first Labor Day. — Map (db m24423) |
| Ohio (Athens County), Millfield — Millfield Coal Mine Disaster — November 5, 1930 |
| | Ohio's worst mine disaster occurred in this Sunday Creek Coal Company mine when an explosion killed 82 persons. Among the dead were the company's top executives who were in the mine inspecting new safety equipment. Nine hours after the explosion, rescuers discovered 19 miners alive underground, three miles from the main shaft. The disaster attracted national press coverage and international attention, and it prompted improvement of Ohio's mine safety laws in 1931. — Map (db m15611) |
| Ohio (Athens County), Millfield — Millfield Mine No. 6 - 1205 Disaster |
| | In memory of the Millfield Mine No. 6 - 1205 disaster Nov. 5, 1930
Roy Andrews•
J. H. Bergin•
Delmar Bower•
John Bower•
George Brown•
Sam Brown•
William Brown•
Paul Burgess•
Alex Burmich•
Joe Butsko•
John Butsko
Michael Clancy•
William Clancy•
Pr. R. Coen•
Andy Cuba Bycofski•
Frank Davis•
Clyde Dean•
Paul Erwin•
Phil Erwin•
Silas Erwin•
Ben Fielder•
James Genise•
John Green•
Charles Grimm•
Miles Grimm•
Thomas Harley•
Walter Hayden•
John Hillen•
Charles . . . — Map (db m15614) |
| Ohio (Coshocton County), Coshocton — William Green |
| | March 3, 1870 – November 21, 1952. William Green, President of the American Federation of Labor from 1924 until his death, 1852, began his amazing and strenuous climb to the top run of labor's ladder at age 16, in the Morgan Run Coal Mines in Coshocton County.
Born in Coshocton County to parents of English descent, Hugh and Jane Oram Green, he learned their devout Baptist faith. Educated in a one room school house, he studied by coal oil lamp at night and was an avid reader all his . . . — Map (db m299) |
| Ohio (Cuyahoga County), Cleveland — 79-18 — The Ohio AFL-CIO |
| | Following the national merger of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) in 1955, more than 2,000 labor delegates representing one million union members convened at the Cleveland Public Auditorium for the founding convention of the Ohio AFL-CIO in 1958. This leading labor organization achieved significant advances in the quality of life and security for working Ohioans during the second half of the twentieth century in areas of civil rights, . . . — Map (db m17953) |
| Ohio (Franklin County), Columbus — 105-25 — American Federation of Labor / United Mine Workers of America |
| | American Federation of Labor
Since 1881
One this site, December 10, 1886, the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Union merged with the trade unionists of the Knights of Labor to create the American Federation of Labor. Delegates elected Samuel Gompers president and dedicated the Federation to improving the life of America's working men and women. The A.F.L. recognizes November 15, 1881, as its anniversary date to honor the origin and legacy of F.O.T.L.U.
United Mine Workers of . . . — Map (db m12968) |
| Ohio (Franklin County), Columbus — 88-25 — William Green, Labor Leader / The Columbus Streetcar Strike, 1910 |
| | William Green, Labor Leader
A native of Coshocton County, William Green (1870-1932) began his working life as a coal miner at age 16 and rose rapidly in the leadership of the United Mine Workers of America. Twice elected to the Ohio Senate, Green served as president pro tempore during his second term. He was instrumental in enacting Ohio's first worker's compensation law in 1912, at a time when progressive-era ideals conflicted with an impersonal industrial system where workers enjoyed few . . . — Map (db m12970) |
| Ohio (Morgan County), Bristol — 10-58 — Miner's Memorial Park |
| | Side A:
Agriculture dominated the economy of southeastern Ohio's Morgan County until the 1940s when harvests dwindled, the population declined, and land values dropped. Surface mining the area's rich underground coal deposits replaced agriculture as the major industry and revitalized the declining local economy. As the nation's demand for electricity grew over the next half-century, so did the demand for coal as fuel for nearby power generation plants. During mining's heyday in the 1960s . . . — Map (db m13595) |
| Ohio (Morgan County), Bristol — Ronald V. Crews Memorial Park |
| | Named in honor of Ronald V. Crews, Mine General Superintendent of Central Ohio Coal Company, whose knowledge, dedication and friendship meant so much to so many.
Dedicated July 1972
Rededicated 2001
“To Honor All The Miners”
-R. V. Crews Family — Map (db m13599) |
| Ohio (Warren County), Springboro — Odd Fellows Hall — Circa 1830 |
| | The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) began in England in the 1700s as an association of common laborers who met together for fellowship and mutual aid. This was so unusual at the time that members were called “Odd Fellows,” and the name stuck. The IOOF soon spread to America and is one of the oldest fraternal organizations in the United States. Relief Lodge No. 148 was organized in Springboro in 1850. Local IOOF trustees purchased this building in 1866 and enlarged it to its . . . — Map (db m13702) |
| Pennsylvania (Blair County), Altoona — Pennsylvania Railroad Shops |
| | The PRR built its first repair facilities here in 1850 and opened its first track to Altoona during the same year. By 1925, Altoona was home to the nation's largest concentration of railroad shops, with 16,500 people employed in several locations. — Map (db m20998) |
| Pennsylvania (Dauphin County), Harrisburg — Public Sector Unionism |
| | Efforts to organize public workers in PA resulted in Acts 111 in 1968 and 195 in 1970. Tens of thousands of public employees joined unions. The movement to unionize public workers began in the 1930's. was legislatively restricted in 1947 & given partial recognition in 1957. — Map (db m6721) |
| Pennsylvania (Dauphin County), Hershey — Chocolate Workers' Sit-Down Strike |
| | Hershey's Chocolate Workers Local 1 (CIO) responded to a labor-management impasse on April 2, 1937 by initiating the first sit-down strike in Pennsylvania and in the confectionery industry. The strike was ended by strike-breaking violence and government mediation. The union lost two subsequent representative elections. In 1939 workers affiliated with the Bakery & Confectionery Workers Local 464 (AFL). — Map (db m7135) |
| Pennsylvania (Luzerne County), Pittston — Twin Shaft Disaster |
| | On June 28, 1896, fifty-eight men were killed in a massive cave-in of rock and coal here, in the Newton Coal Company's Twin Shaft Colliery. An investigative commission, appointed by the Governor, reported on Sept. 25. Although its safety recommendations would often be ignored, the disaster was a factor that led to a stronger unionization of this region under John Mitchell after 1900. — Map (db m10470) |
| Pennsylvania (Luzerne County), Pittston — Workers in Greater Pittston's Garment Industry |
| | From the 1930s to the 1980s Pittston emerged as a national center for clothing manufacturing. Thousands of workers, mainly women, labored in many factories throughout the Greater Pittston area. Most were members of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union (ILGWU) that gained higher wages, workplace health & safety improvements, and employee rights. The ILGWU was active in civic and political life throughout Pennsylvania. — Map (db m10469) |
| Pennsylvania (Montgomery County), Pottstown — The Grubb Mansion — Historic Pottstown Walking Tour |
| | The Grubb Mansion, located at 1304 High Street, is a Queen Anne Victorian built in 1906 by William I. Grubb. Mr. Grubb began his career as a slater and a carpenter. In 1893, at the age of 37, he formed a bicycle manufacturing company in a small shop along Queen Street between Charlotte and Evans Streets. In 1895, the company, known as the Light Cycle Co., moved to a new, three-story brick factory at Queen and Union Streets. During the next 35 years, the Light Cycle Co. manufactured bicycles, . . . — Map (db m23216) |
| Pennsylvania (Philadelphia County), Philadelphia — Carpenters' Hall |
| | . . . for the purpose of obtaining instruction in the science of architecture and assisting such of their members as should by accident be in need of support, or the widows and minor children of members . . . By-laws of the Carpenters' Company Carpenters' Hall, completed in 1774, was the meeting place of a group of Philadelphia master builders known as the Carpenters' Company. The Carpenters banded together to establish architectural standards, to set prices for work, and to aid members' . . . — Map (db m9653) |
| Pennsylvania (Philadelphia County), Philadelphia — Mechanics' Union of Trade Associations |
| | Formed nearby in 1827 as the first central labor council in the nation; recognized as the beginning of American labor movement. Represented workers as a class, not by craft. Advocated for ten-hour day; engaged in political activism and workers' education. — Map (db m9534) |
| Pennsylvania (Somerset County), Somerset — Quecreek Mine Accident and Rescue |
| | On July 28, 2002, nine coal miners, trapped for four days due to flooding of the Quecreek Mine, were saved via a rescue shaft drilled here. Combined efforts of local, state, and federal agencies, mining and other industries, local mine workers, emergency responders, and community members led to the rescue. The incident prompted changes in mine safety, mapping, and drilling methods. It roused national media & public attention.
————————— . . . — Map (db m24163) |
| Pennsylvania (Somerset County), Windber — The Coal Miner — By Lawrence Whitaker |
| | This statue presented to the citizens of this community by the district schoolchildren and dedicated to the men of the mines who by their labor and loyalty have helped to make Windber one of the best towns in the nation...1952
In honor of the proud coal miners who overcame hardships and faced great dangers on a daily basis. The toil and sacrifice of these loyal workers fueled the Industrial Revolution. — Map (db m21572) |
| Pennsylvania (Somerset County), Windber — Windber Strike of 1922-23 |
| | Windber-area Berwind White workers joined a national strike by United Mine Workers of America in April 1922 for improved wages and working conditions, civil liberties, and recognition. The strike lasted 16 months; families of strikers were evicted from company housing. A City of New York inquiry exposed deplorable living and working conditions and urged nationalization of coal mines. — Map (db m21579) |
| Pennsylvania (Washington County), California — Joseph A.“Jock” Yablonski — (1910-1969) |
| | A longtime resident of California and elected official of the United Mine Workers of America. He led efforts to improve working conditions for coal miners. On December 31, 1969—shortly after his defeat as a reform candidate for president of the UMW—he, his wife Margaret, and their daughter Charlotte were assassinated. In 1972, reformers were elected to leadership of the UMW. — Map (db m346) |
| Virginia, Alexandria — E-93 — Lee-Fendall House |
| | “Light Horse Harry” Lee, Revolutionary War officer, owned this land in 1784. The house was built in 1785 by Phillip Fendall, a Lee relative. Renovated in 1850 in the Greek Revival style, the house remained in the Lee family until 1903. John L. Lewis, labor leader and president of the United Mine Workers of America and the Congress of Industrial Organizations, was the last resident owner, from 1937 to 1969. — Map (db m8567) |
| Virginia, Richmond — The Cupola Furnace and Foundry |
| | The cupola furnace was last used here as part of the carwheel foundry, where railroad carwheels were cast until the 1950’s. The wall in front of you is the back wall of the building, and the arch behind you is the remains of the front wall of the original building. The foundry building was expanded considerably over time.
In the cupola furnace, iron was heated until it became molten, then poured into molds to produce various cast items. Furnaces at Tredegar once used pig iron from western . . . — Map (db m24135) |
| Virginia (Fairfax County), Herndon — The Rail Strike of 1916 |
| | In the years before motor vehicles came to dominate transportation, business was never better for the Washington & Old Dominion Railway. Demand for passenger and freight service boomed, while the W&OD's owners balked at spending the money necessary to keep the line running smoothly. The increasing dissatisfaction of the workers coincided with a campaign by the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railroad Employees to unionize area rail workers. In the spring of 1916 many W&OD . . . — Map (db m4952) |
| West Virginia (Berkeley County), Martinsburg — Roundhouses and Shops / Railroad Strike of 1877 |
| | Roundhouses and Shops. The B&O Railroad reached Martinsburg in 1842,
and by 1849, a roundhouse and shops were
built. These first buildings were burned by
Confederate troops in 1862. The present west
roundhouse and the two shops were built in
1866. The east roundhouse was built in 1872.
These buildings represent one of the last
remaining examples of American industrial
railroad architecture still intact and in
use. These structures serve as important
reminders of the status of the . . . — Map (db m1197) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Charles Town — Two Treason Trials |
| | Jefferson County's Most Famous Trial
In the room immediately behind this wall, the abolitionist John Brown and five of his raiders were tried for treason against the state of Virginia, murder and inciting slaves to rebel. Brown had led 21 men to seize the federal arsenal and armory at Harpers Ferry on the night of October 16, 1859 to start an insurrection to topple slavery. Fifteen people died before the raiders were taken.
Treason Trials in Charles Town - Again
Sixty three years . . . — Map (db m21767) |
| West Virginia (Kanawha County), Charleston — William Blizzard |
| | Born in Kanawha County on 19 September 1892. Began work as a miner at age ten, and served as field organizer, UMWA. Noted as leader of 1921 Armed March. Indicted for treason but later acquitted. President of District 17 and vice-president of West Virginia Federation of Labor. Retired to Putnam County farm in 1955. Died on 31 July 1958. — Map (db m23011) |
| West Virginia (Ohio County), Wheeling — Augustus Pollack |
| | Erected by Trade Union Members of United States in memory of Augustus Pollack whose business life and actions were always in sympathy with organized labor. — Map (db m16250) |
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