Westwood Welding Students Build Memorial for Barnes-Hecker Mine Disaster’s 100th Anniversary

Westwood Welding students Spencer Zorza and Michael Blanck recently completed a replica mining head frame structure. This structure is to serve as a memorial placed on the cap of the Barnes-Hecker mine shaft.

On November 3rd 1926, the Barnes-Hecker mine caved in resulting in what would be the worst mine disaster in Lake Superior iron district history. On that day, 51 men perished. Of those that perished, 41 were never recovered. This year marks the 100th anniversary of that disaster.

Ely Township, under the direction of Mr. Glenn Wing, is currently working on creating a beautiful new park at the mine site. Spencer and Michael also created a CNC plasma cut sign to commemorate the park.

Excellent work Michael and Spencer we are very proud of you both!