Michigan Labor Landmarks

Name Street Address City State Historical Notes Additional information
Battle of the Overpass Historical Marker Miller Road overpass to the Ford River Rouge Plant Dearborn MI Remembers the place where Walter Reuther and other union leaders were beaten by Ford "Servicemen" on the overpass bridge in 1937. Photos of the incident destroyed the Ford Co.'s credibility, forcing it to recognize the union in 1941. see: Flint Sitdown Strike
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Monument
Marshall MI Honors the history of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. see: Old Fireman's Hall
see: Thompson, J.C., house and historical marker
"Detroit Industry" Frescoes Detroit Institute of Arts; 5200 Woodward Ave. Detroit MI In 1932, Mexican muralist Diego Rivera was commissioned to paint a tribute to Detroit industry and labor. Major sections of the mural are based on the Ford Motor Company's Rouge industrial complex.
Ely Township Centennial Memorial grounds of the Michigan Iron Industry Museum Negaunee MI Memorial stone to miners killed on November 3, 1926 in Barnes-Hecker mine tragedy. Phone (517) 487-5081.
Firefighters of Michigan Monument Exit 239 on I-75; grounds next to the Department of Natural Resources. Roscommon MI Signs on I-75 mark the way to the inscribed stone, dedicated to the firefighters' unselfish heroism displayed every day while protecting the lives and homes of Michigan citizens.
Flint Sitdown Strike Historical Marker
Flint MI The Michigan Labor History Society erected this marker to commemorate the General Motors sitdown strike of 1936-1937 which forced GM to recognize the workers' union and their needs. It led to GM's first contract with the United Auto Workers. see The Battle of Overpass Historical Marker
Ford Hunger March Ford Rouge Plant, Miller Road Dearborn MI 3,000 unemployed auto workers braved the cold on March 7, 1932 to demand jobs and relief from Henry Ford. The marchers got too close to the gate and were gassed. After re-grouping, they were sprayed with water and shot at. 4 men died immediately. Curtis Williams died a few days later and was not allowed to be buried in the Woodmere Cemetery because he was black. The worker's funeral committee hired a plane to scatter his ashes over the cemetery. In 1992, a headstone was placed next to the other 4.
Italian Hall Italian Hall Memorial Park, 7th Street Calumet MI The site where in 1913 at a Christmas Eve party for the children of striking miners, a person yelled fire. The false fire alarm triggered a panic. The doors only swung inward causing a press of human bodies. 73 people died, over half were children. No one was ever prosecuted.
Michigan Labor Legacy Landmark Hart Plaza; Jefferson Ave., west of Woodward St. Detroit MI A gift to Detroit from the labor movement, "Transcending" depicts labor history, workers' occupations and labor's vision for the future on a grand scale. The 63-foot steel arch is surrounded by bronze reliefs detailing labor's contributions.
Michigan Lumberman's Memorial Au Sable River Park 16 miles NW of Tawas City MI Located in a small park on Michigan's lower peninsula, overlooking the Au Sable River, this statue perpetuates the memory of the early Michigan lumber workers who were all over the MI countryside. Inscription reads "Erected to perpetuate the memory of the pioneer lumber men of Michigan through whose labors was made possible the development of the prairie states." There is a listing of names on one side of the statue.
Miners' Mound public park Negaunee MI Remembers Frank G. Matthews, Sr. who maintained a museum concerned with the iron miners of the area in his own home. This collection became the basis for the Michigan Iron Industry Museum.
Old Fireman's Hall
Detroit MI In an upstairs office on May 8,1863, the constitution of the Brotherhood of the Footboard was ratified by engineers. Later became the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. see: Thompson, J.C., home and historical marker
see: Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Monument
Reuther Memorial UAW Black Lake Labor Education Center Onaway MI In 1946, Walter Reuther was elected president of the United Auto Workers and in 1952, the head of the CIO. In 1955, he became vice president of the merged AFL-CIO. Reuther supported both civil rights and social welfare legislation during his labor career. Reuther and his wife, May, were killed in a plane crash in Pellston, Mich., on May 9, 1970. They were traveling to the UAW's Black Lake Labor Education Center.

See: Battle of the Overpass
Thompson, J.C., Home & Historical Marker 633 West Hanover Street Marshall MI In April 1863, a meeting here formed the Brotherhood of the Footboard (renamed Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers in 1864). J.C. Thompson was one of the founders. see: Old Fireman's Hall--Detroit, MI
see: Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Monument
UAW West Side Local 174 WPA Mural 29841 Van Born Rd. Romulus MI Depicting the history of labor and the United Auto Workers (UAW), the mural shows the "Battle of the Overpass" and the sit-down strike. The artist, Walter Speck, was the head of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Detroit. As of 2004, funds are being solicited to restore the mural. The mural is located in the building of the New West Side Local 174, UAW. Call 718-728-7600 for hours.


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