Kirkland Lake Miners' Memorial facts for kids
The Kirkland Lake Miners' Memorial is a special monument in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. It was built to honor all the brave people who worked in the town's mines.
In the 1930s, Kirkland Lake had seven big gold mines. These mines made a lot of money for the province and employed thousands of workers. Today, only a few mines are still open. To remember all miners, both living and those who have passed away, a local group built this huge memorial. It weighs 40 tonnes and stands 10 meters tall!
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Building the Miners' Memorial
The idea for the Miners' Memorial came from a group called the Miners' Memorial Foundation. A local miner named Steven Yee led this group. Many other miners from the area were also part of the committee. Their main goal was to create a place where the miners who helped build their town would always be remembered.
After ten years of hard work, the monument was finally finished on July 25, 1994. It was given to the town of Kirkland Lake during its 75th anniversary party. Hundreds of local people came to the celebration.
How the Project Was Funded
Building the memorial was a "grass-roots" effort. This means that most of the money came from the local community. People raised funds through community bingos and other local events. The Canadian and provincial governments also helped. Even a famous singer, Rita MacNeil, held a concert to raise money.
The artists who designed the monument, Rob Moir and Sally Lawrence, were also from the area. Once all the parts of the monument were ready, miners volunteered their own time to put it all together. They wanted to see their special project completed.
What the Monument Looks Like
The Miners' Memorial is a very impressive structure. It is made of black granite and has bronze figures. It stands 10 meters (about 33 feet) tall and weighs 40 tonnes (about 88,000 pounds). The monument is designed to look like a head frame, which is a tall structure used at a mine shaft.
The black granite and bronze figures show how important miners are, and how their work is timeless. The monument is surrounded by a lawn and picnic tables. This makes it a place where people can gather and remember the past, while also looking to the future of the community.
Parts of the Monument
Almost every part of the monument comes from the local area. Even the rock used was taken from the nearby French River. The machinery and equipment you see were donated by miners or the mines themselves. Things like the mucker (a machine for moving rock), the ladder, and even the batteries on the miners' belts are real. Even the bolts holding the monument together are stone bolts from a mine.
It was important that everything was local and real. The Miners' Monument Foundation wanted the memorial to show exactly what it was like to work underground. They also wanted it to feel "human" and "warm," not just a cold stone. They wanted it to be filled with the real experiences of the miners.
The Miner Figures
The bronze figures of miners on the monument look like real people. This helps to make the memorial feel "warm" and "human." It also reminds us that even though miners did very hard work underground, they were still human beings.
The way the figures are placed and what they are doing also have important meanings. For example, one figure is climbing a ladder. This shows the community's need to keep moving forward. It also reminds us to keep improving safety in mines. So, it celebrates how much safety has improved, reminds us to keep working on it, and remembers those who died in the mines.
The Monument's Special Location
The location of the Miners' Memorial adds to its meaning. Think of a landscape like a book you can read. When we look at the area around the monument, it tells us three important things.
First, the monument stands where an important bridge used to be. This bridge was a well-known landmark in the town. Everyone knew "the bridge." But it became unsafe and was taken down. The Miners' Memorial now fills that important spot.
Second, the monument is built on land that once belonged to Harry Oakes. He was one of the town's most important mine owners. In the 1930s, he was Canada's biggest taxpayer! Oakes was a key figure in the town's history and started the Lakeshore Mine. Having the monument on his property helps bring together the memories of both the miners and the mine owners. This gives a more complete picture of the town's history.
Third, the monument is located at the edge of town. This means everyone who enters Kirkland Lake sees it. This is important because one of the monument's goals was to be a symbol for the town. It shows everyone that they are entering a mining town.
How the Monument Helps the Community
The Miners' Memorial is important for history, culture, and town identity. But it also has other special meanings for the community:
- The monument inspired a book called Lamps Forever Lit: A Memorial To Kirkland Lake Area Miners. After seeing the list of miners' names, Bernie Jaworsky wanted to hear their stories. He collected stories and photos from miners' families, especially their wives. He put these stories into his memorial book.
- One of the figures on the monument is featured on the cover of a book called Marking Our Mark. Out of 13 monuments and murals in the book, the Kirkland Lake Miners' Memorial was chosen to represent it.
- The figure working the mucker (a mining machine) was shown on a special mining stamp made by Canada Post.
- The monument and its park are used for community picnics and seasonal caroling. So, it's a place for celebration as well as remembering a difficult past.
- It is mentioned in many writings about the town, like Bob Cowen's book and the flyer for Lamps Forever Lit.
