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Franklin Square miner statue damaged in crash

Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette The miner statue in Franklin Square is seen wearing a facemask — one of the numerous decorations placed on it over the years — on May 3, 2020. The statue has been temporarily removed for restoration after it was hit by a car Sunday night.

HOUGHTON — The miner statue at Franklin Square in Houghton is in need of repairs after being hit by a car Sunday night.

The driver was not injured in the crash, which occurred about 11:15 p.m. Sunday. The driver was cited for speeding, according to the Houghton Police Department. Alcohol was not believed to be involved, City Manager Eric Waara said.

The statue’s right foot was taken off in the crash, while the left leg broke off just above the knee, Waara said. The miner’s lunchpail was recovered in the snow.

The city is looking to see who can restore the cast-bronze statue, which Waara described as “essentially a shell.”

Getting a quality repair that will last is important, Waara said. He jokingly raised the specter of the so-called “Monkey Christ” fresco in Spain, where a well-intentioned amateur botched the restoration of the Ecce Homo.

“We’re looking into who actually can perform that type of work,” Waara said. “This isn’t a piece of steel you just start welding on. This is a bronze piece of art.”

The 6-foot sculpture, made by Elizabeth Biesot, has marked the entrance to downtown since 1980. People have been known to decorate the statue. Past accouterments have included a life jacket, a Christmas wreath and a Fred Flintstone outfit.

“He is an iconic part of the community, so we’re going to try to do right by the original artists’ vision and get that right, so it’s going to take us a little time,” Waara said.

For now, the statue will be replaced by a Christmas tree with lights.

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