Published on April 28, 2025
"David Kerr, well known in the coal mining district of Boulder County, died at the Boulder University hospital of injuries he sustained in the Industrial Mine. He was loading coal when 700 pounds of coal, four big pieces, fell from the roof of the mine, pinning him to the ground. He was removed from underneath the coal by his brother. Both of Mr. Kerr’s legs were broken, each of them in two places. One of his arms was broken. He also received internal injuries which were the direct cause of his death."
This excerpt from the Boulder Daily Camera accounted the tragic death of Scottish immigrant David Kerr Feb. 1, 1917, unfortunately was not uncommon in the United States and Colorado. Nationwide, 3,679 miners lost their lives in coal mine incidents in 1917. Superior’s Industrial Mine was no exception. Although the Industrial had the reputation of being a relatively safe mine, 17 men lost their lives over the 50 years of operation.
The Superior Historical Commission’s project of creating a memorial to these miners is now two-thirds completed with the construction of a memorial base and the recent installation of informational plaques in Asti Park. The next step is securing a life-sized bronze miner statue to be installed on the monument pedestal. Final budget planning and bronze sculptor artist research are now underway.
David Kerr and his family were stalwarts in old Superior. They mined coal, operated a saloon, and were instrumental in establishing St. Benedicts Catholic Church in Original Superior.
1941 Miners deep in the Industrial. Dave Kerr, David's nephew, at left. Courtesy of Superior Historical Commission. Louisville Historical Museum collection.
You are invited to visit the monument in its current form in Asti Park anytime. But there are other exciting opportunities to learn more about Superior’s past and its mining history.
First, the Asti Park Historical Museum and the Grasso Park interim Museum are both open to the public on Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Second, also on May 3 is the Historical Commission’s annual Historic Walk to the Industrial Mine and Mine Camp site on Boulder County Open Space south of Original Town. This event will begin shortly after 2 p.m. once the museums close. Starting from Grasso Park, we will walk to the open space entrance, then continue to the mine site. Historical Commission docents will relate stories from the past as we walk along. All are welcome!
Participants should prepare for a walk of at least 2 miles and wear appropriate shoes and clothes for varying terrain and weather.
We hope you will join us for this Town of Superior historic event!
Written by Larry Dorsey with help from Susan Stanish and Jennifer Garner.
For more information about the Historical Commission and its activities, contact Commission Liaison Jennifer “JG” Garner at 303-499-3675, ext. 167, Commission Chair Larry Dorsey at 303-499-1969, or just click on the “Historical Commission Info” button below.
Historical Commission Info