Franklin in Crawford County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Union Hall Centennial

1914-2014

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 22, 2026

1. Union Hall Centennial Marker

Inscription.
Mine the History! April 1, 2014

"More persons were present yesterday afternoon at the dedication of the new Miners' Hall at Franklin than probably ever assembled before in that town."

"Big Crowd at Franklin" ----Pittsburg Daily Headlight (The Morning Sun)
April 2, 1914
On April 1, 1914, hundreds of workers throughout the Pittsburg district celebrated the 8-hour work day with the dedication of the Miners Union Hall in Franklin, Kansas. In accordance with this celebration, the mines in the vicinity of Franklin were closed all day.

Festivities included a parade led by the Frontenac brass band; a football game between Yale and Chicopee that ended in a tie; and a dedication ceremony of the hall led by United Mine Workers Association president Alex Howat, vice president Bernard Harrigan, and secretary-treasurer Joe Variot.

In observance of the 100th anniversary of the first dedication of the Miners Union Hall in Franklin, Kansas, Miners Hall Museum Foundation dedicated this plaque on April 1, 2014. Those in attendance included District No. 14 UMWA representatives, Miners Hall Museum Foundation trustees,

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members and staff. Celebrating and preserving the history of this region, Miners Hall Museum remembered the Union Hall and the many people it served.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Labor Unions. A significant historical date for this entry is April 1, 2014.

Location. 37° 31.241′ N, 94° 42.321′ W. Marker is in Franklin, Kansas, in Crawford County. It is on South Broadway Street south of West 7th Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is mounted next to the entrance at the Miners Hall Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 701 S Broadway St, Franklin KS 66735, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas and specifically in Bleeding Kansas Border War Country.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Church Bell from St. Philip Neri Catholic Church

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 22, 2026

2. Union Hall Centennial Marker

(a few steps from this marker); Amazon Army (a few steps from this marker); Franklin Sidewalk (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); J & W Mine #17 (Jackson & Walker) (within shouting distance of this marker); Outhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Company Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Coal Camp Outhouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Franklin.

Also see . . . Miners Hall Museum. (Submitted on October 22, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Miners Hall Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 22, 2026

3. Miners Hall Museum

Credits. This page was last revised on October 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 22, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.