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A Christmas Eve gathering will be held on the 105th anniversary of the Italian Hall Disaster and with it comes the dedication of a new monument.
“The Italian Hall Tragedy was probably the most devastating event in our village history and I think it’s a real testament to this community that 105 years later, we still remember that event,” said Calumet Village President, Dave Geisler.
It took place during a time of tension in the middle of a local labor strike in 1913. Geisler said, “Miners and their children gathered here on Christmas Eve and someone falsely called fire. There was a panic and 73 people died. What was particularly tragic is that of those 73, 58 of them were children.”
Those who were lost here have never been forgotten. The building that once stood here and served as the Italian Hall was taken down many years ago, but the archway remains on the now preserved historical site that has a new centerpiece. Local business owner Mike Lahti helped to organize the efforts that made that possible.
“This memorial you see behind us, before this one was built, it was just the arch which was a fine but it was really missing one that memorializes the names of the people that died,” said Lahti.
The black granite rock bearing all 73 names of those victims has come from across the globe and was delivered this summer, but the dedication ceremony was reserved for Christmas Eve, in recognition of the anniversary. It’s the result of a successful fundraising campaign with strong community support.
Geisler said, “If you come here on Christmas Eve, you’ll find the walkway leading to the arch and the memorial lined with 73 luminaries in memory of those who died here.”
“It’s just a memorial of those that died on this date in 1913. It’s good that we’re doing it on Christmas Eve, 105 years later. It’s excellent,” said Lahti.
“My grandparents were living here,” said Geisler. “They belonged to what is now St. Paul the Apostle, and I can’t imagine what they were feeling when they came for Christmas Eve services. How do you celebrate Christmas Day after 73 innocent people have died? It certainly is probably the most tragic event ever in our community’s history.”
The site is located on the 400th block of 7th St in Calumet. Gathering time is noon, which is about when the tragedy reportedly occurred.
