Lafayette in Boulder County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Colorado's Northern Coal Field
Lest We Forget
Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 30, 2018
1. Colorado's Northern Coal Field Marker
Inscription.
Colorado's Northern Coal Field. Lest We Forget. Colorado's immense northern coal field, centered beneath these rolling hills, contributed to the early development and growth of Colorado and to the birth of nearby towns. Miners and mine owners in this area battled over issues of workers' conditions, wages and rights through many conflicts over the years. In 1927 tensions mounted for weeks as pickets urged the Columbine Mine workers to join the statewide strike called by the Industrial Workers of the World. On November 21 several hundred unarmed men and women gathered at the mine 1-1/2 miles northwest of here. After a confrontation with state police, gunfire erupted, killing six union miners and wounding many others. Following this tragedy, mine owners finally signed lasting union contracts with the United Mine Workers of America. The sacrifices of these miners and their families manifested the struggle for the rights and dignity of all Colorado coal miners.
Colorado's immense northern coal field, centered beneath these rolling hills, contributed to the early development and growth of Colorado and to the birth of nearby towns. Miners and mine owners in this area battled over issues of workers' conditions, wages and rights through many conflicts over the years. In 1927 tensions mounted for weeks as pickets urged the Columbine Mine workers to join the statewide strike called by the Industrial Workers of the World. On November 21 several hundred unarmed men and women gathered at the mine 1-1/2 miles northwest of here. After a confrontation with state police, gunfire erupted, killing six union miners and wounding many others. Following this tragedy, mine owners finally signed lasting union contracts with the United Mine Workers of America. The sacrifices of these miners and their families manifested the struggle for the rights and dignity of all Colorado coal miners.
Erected 1989 by the Colorado Historical Society, Local Historical Societies, Labor Organizations, and the Colorado Department of Highways.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Labor Unions • Natural Resources • Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is November 21, 1927.
Location. 39° 59.877′ N, 105° 5.376′
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W. Marker is in Lafayette, Colorado, in Boulder County. Marker is on South Harrison Avenue south of East Simpson Street, on the right when traveling south. Located behind the Miner's Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 108 East Simpson Street, Lafayette CO 80026, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Colorado's Northern Coal Field Marker behind the Miner's Museum.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2018. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 343 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 14, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
