Western Federation of Miners union hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Miners' Union Hall |
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The union hall in 1903
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| General information | |
| Address | 110 North 4th Street |
| Town or city | Victor, Colorado |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 38°42′38″N 105°8′27″W / 38.71056°N 105.14083°W |
| Completed | 1901 |
The Miners' Union Hall is a very old building in Victor, Colorado. It is part of the Victor Downtown Historic District. This building is important because of its history with miners. Today, it is in danger of falling apart.
Contents
What is the Miners' Union Hall?
This historic building was a meeting place for miners. These miners were part of a group called the Western Federation of Miners. This group was like a club for miners. They worked together to make their jobs better and safer.
A Place for Miners to Meet
The Miners' Union Hall was built in 1901. It was a central spot for the miners. They would gather here to talk about their work. They also planned ways to improve their working conditions.
A Tough Time: The Colorado Labor Wars
In June 1904, something very serious happened at the hall. This was during a time known as the Colorado Labor Wars. Miners were trying to get better pay and conditions. The Colorado National Guard, a military group, shot at the building. Miners were hiding inside the hall at the time.
Bullet Holes: A Mark of History
You can still see marks from that day on the building. There are at least nine bullet holes in the walls. These holes are a reminder of the difficult times miners faced. They show how important this building was to them.
What Happened to the Hall Later?
In the 1920s, the miners' group gave the hall to the Victor School District. The building was not used much after that. It was left empty in the 1970s. For a short time in the 1980s, it was used as a restaurant.
Saving the Hall: Restoration Efforts
By 2005, the building was in bad shape. Two of the five main beams holding up the roof had broken. A group tried to get money to fix the roof. In July 2008, a shop owner bought the building. Now, the Victor Heritage Society is working to save and fix the hall. They want to make sure this important piece of history lasts.
