Hocking Valley Miner

This bronze sculpture was created to honor both the Knights of Labor movement that helped unionize the Hocking Valley coal miners in the 1870s and the workers themselves. It depicts a life-sized miner kneeling on one leg, his face turned towards the sky with a pick axe held over his shoulder, ready to strike the coal beneath. It was dedicated September 3, 2011.

The medallion-like plaques located on three sides of the statue base contain phrases and symbols that are meaningful to the Knights of Labor organization as well as its local chapter. Plaque 1, starting in the middle and radiating outward: "A.K. THE 9TH," "PRYTANFUM, NORTH AMERICA, JAN 1ST 1878," THAT IS THE MOST PERFECT GOVERNMENT IN WHICH AN INJURY TO ONE IS THE CONCERN OF ALL." Plaque 2: "K of L." Plaque 3: "169," with the letters K and L on opposing sides of a triangle containing the letters W and T.