Second miners mural goes up in Ironwood

IRONWOOD - The new miners mural in downtown Ironwood is nearly complete according to organizer Sandy Sharp.

"We've got a few minor modifications to do because of the windows and doors on the building," said Sharp.

The mural is located on the Lahti Building along Lowell Street near Aurora Street.

The dedication plaques will soon be installed along the bottom of the mural, each paid for to support the mural's construction.

Sharp said there have been "85 to 100" of the plaques purchased so far and there is still room for a few more to be purchased.

The mural took three and a half years to create, according to Sharp, including design, fundraising, painting and now construction.

"It's been so much fun to just watch people stop and look at the mural, gawk, almost cause traffic accidents," said Sharp. "It's a wonderful sight."

Besides the miners themselves, she said she's particularly happy with the painted scene around them.

"I wanted it to be dark. There is no sun. I wanted it to look like it did back then with no trees," she said, adding the scene includes lots of dark, dirty mining structures. "These men worked hard in the mines and came out dirty."

She said she'd like to see more murals in the area, but she is taking a break from that sort of effort. "I have a business to run."

Sharp said there are lots of ideas for other murals circulating, including some that are just purely art, as well as more themed murals dedicated to Copper Peak, logging and the railroads that once came through.

"History is our future," she said. "People love to come here and see and learn."

The plaques for the new miners mural come in two sizes and Sharp asked those who are interested in purchasing one of the few remaining spots to call the Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce at 906-932-1122.

-Larry Holcombe