Terre Haute in Vigo County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
William D. "Big Bill" Haywood
1869 - - - - - 1928
Co-Founder and General Secretary-Treasurer,
International Workers of the World, 1905-1921
Secretary-Treasurer,
Western Federation of Miners, 1901-1906
Haywood’s visionary leadership as Secretary-Treasurer of the Western Federation of Miners laid the groundwork for his historic initiative, together with Eugene Debs and Mother Jones, to found the Industrial Workers of the World. Under his dynamic leadership, the IWW became a power to be reckoned with in American Industrial Relations during the early 20th Century.
As a celebrated radical, Haywood drew thousands to his lectures in major industrial cities. His organizing prowess helped to achieve significant victories for Western Loggers, Copper Miners and Migrant Farm Workers, as well as Textile Workers on strike in Lawrence, Mass. (1912) and Patterson, N. J. (1913).
Although his leadership effectively ended with his conviction on trumped-up charges under the Anti-worker Sedition Act, “Big Bill” will always be remembered as a colossus among North American Labor leaders and as a champion of justice for working people everywhere.
Erected 2005 by United Mine Workers of America.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Labor Unions. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.
Location. 39° 28.317′ N, 87° 24.314′ W. Marker is in Terre Haute, Indiana, in Vigo County. Marker can be reached from North 8th Street south of Spruce Street. Located in back-yard of Eugene Debs home (museum). Can be reached by a back access drive from Sycamore Street - west of North 9th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: (back yard of) 451 North 8th Street, Terre Haute IN 47801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Charles Luna (here, next to this marker); Sidney Hillman (here, next to this marker); Mother Jones (here, next to this marker); Patrick E. Gorman (here, next to this marker); Philip Murray (here, next to this marker); Michael J. Quill (here, next to this marker); Samuel Gompers (here, next to this marker); Walter Philip Reuther (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Terre Haute.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Leaders of Industrial Unionism.
Also see . . . William D. Haywood. Famous Trials website entry (Submitted on August 17, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 818 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 17, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 4. submitted on November 28, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.