Press/Media/Endorsements - Ironworkers Walk of Fame

I.M.P.A.C.T. Endorsement

Ironworkers Walk of Fame Memorial Construction Moves Forward

In 2007, at the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Mackinac Bridge, a statue of an iron worker was unveiled to honor the work of the men who built the bridge.

The idea of putting up our own monument started snowballing after the 50th anniversary celebration," says McFarland, who is coordinating the effort. Noting the annual Iron Workers festival held in town, she said, "Mackinaw City has always embraced iron workers. So we asked ourselves, "Why haven't we done this yet?"

Construction of the Ironworkers Walk of Fame, a memorial honoring the union ironworkers who built the Mackinac Bridge, and all those across the United States and Canada, is now well on its way in Mackinaw City. The Ironworkers Walk of Fame is designed to recognize the Union Ironworker, and Mackinac Bridge Bridgman of North America, by incorporating the brick paver concept currently used throughout the village of Mackinaw City, Michigan.

The first phase of the project consisted of the selling of brick pavers. Bricks are engraved with the names of the men who built the bridge - from any trade as well as any iron worker from North America. Marilyn McFarland, the former Mackinaw Area Visitors Bureau director, says families of deceased trades workers are invited to submit the names of loved ones to be engraved as well.

To purchase a brick paver and become an inductee on the Ironworkers Walk of Fame, visit www.walkofiron.com.

The second phase consists of the placement of a 25ft globe crafted of I-beams and three 7ft Ironworker characters, two men and one woman, constructed of ironworker tools and components. Moran Iron Works of Onaway Michigan will complete the fabrication and construction of the monument phase. The monument will be built in stages beginning with a stand-alone character placed in front of the globe structure which will be unveiled during this year's Ironworkers Festival on August 13, 2010 in Mackinaw City.

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Pavers to recognize Mighty Mac workers

MACKINAW CITY - In 2007, at the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Mackinac Bridge, a statue of an iron worker was unveiled to honor the work of the men who built the bridge.

Now, five miles south across the Straits of Mackinac, the Village of Mackinaw City is undertaking its own effort to honor iron workers and other tradesmen who built the "Mighty Mac." The village is selling engraved brick pavers that will create a "Walk of Fame" at a planned monument honoring Mackinac Bridge construction workers.

"The idea of putting up our own monument started snowballing after the 50th anniversary celebration," said Marilyn McFarland, formerly of the Mackinaw City Visitors Bureau, who is coordinating the effort. Noting the annual Iron Workers festival held in town, she said, "Mackinac City has always embraced iron workers. So we asked ourselves, 'Why haven't we done this yet?' "

It will be erected along North Huron Ave. between Colonial Michilimackinac and the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse historic parks, but it has not been determined what the monument will be. McFarland said a committee of iron workers will decide - perhaps a lighted 40-foot beam, or maybe an iron worker statue.

The first phase of the project is selling brick pavers. McFarland said a minimum of 300 pavers need to sold to help determine the project's size and scope. Bricks can be engraved with the names of the men who built the bridge - from any trade. Also invited to have their names engraved are any iron worker from North America. She said families of deceased trades workers are invited to submit the names of loved ones to be engraved.

As part of the effort, Mackinac Bridge workers are also asked to indicate five favorite jobs that they worked on, that will be incorporated into a related website, www.walkof ironcom, and possibly a living history display at the site.

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Local 377

Local Union 377 San Francisco, California www.uiwmc377.com