SPRINGHILL – A piece of Springhill’s past has been re-established in a prominent place in the former mining community.
The archway that formerly served as the entrance to the town’s mines has been brought back to life and erected in the Lions Park.
“We are so thankful to the McCormick family for taking the time and effort to restore the arch and bring it back to life so future generations can see it,” Springhill 125 committee co-chairwoman Cathy Coon said. “It’s a piece of our history and we’re so fortunate to have this gift.”
At one time, the sign said Cumberland Coal Company, but now it simply says Springhill.
Coon said several sites were considered for the arch before the committee settled on the Lions Park. Although it was originally located at the entrance to the industrial park, Coon said the committee felt the Lions Park was ideally suited because it is in the centre of the community and a place were many Springhill residents go on a daily or weekly basis.
“It’s a nice thing to have because it’s a reminder of our past. This could be our last year as a town so it’s nice to have this piece of history in the community,” she said.
She said the town’s engineer and Springhill’s Public Works employees played a big role in making the project a reality and she credited Craig and Colin McCormick for not only restoring the arch but erecting it in the park.
“We couldn’t have done it without them,” she said.
Craig McCormick said many Springhill and Cumberland County residents remember the arch from the days when it was at the entrance to the mines – that were located where industrial park is today.
“Unfortunately it got knocked over quite a few times by trucks passing through it,” said McCormick of Ray McCormick and Sons Ltd. “I think the last time it got knocked over it was simply discarded and thrown away.”
McCormick said his brother, Colin, actually found the arch in pile of scrap metal and debris. After spending several weeks restoring it the family offered it to the town as part of its 125th anniversary celebrations.
McCormick said his brother has spent a lot of time working on antique vehicles and was able to piece the sign back together to the point it looks almost brand new.
“As far as we know it dates back to the 1940s and is a significant piece of Springhill history,” he said. “Colin spent a lot of time on it, it required a lot of metalwork. It was in pretty rough shape. It was practically broken in half.”
Twitter: @ADNdarrell
