One of the worst mining accidents in Colorado's history

On January 20, 1936, a blast believed to have been caused when a spark ignited coal dust, killed eight men working the night shift in the Monarch Mine No. 2. The mine’s opening is believed to be just south of Highway 36 where there are several apartment buildings, a park and ride, and nature trails now exist (coordinates below).

Memorials to Monarch No.2 Mine accident.Photo byGenerations Found YouTube

The body of mule boss Joe C. Jaramillo was never found. The theory is that Mr. Jaramillo was right at the point of the explosion when it occurred, explaining why his body was never recovered.

Due to the dangerous nature of the search operation, the search for Mr. Jaramillo was called off and his body remains in the rumble. The company erected a granite gravestone at the entrance and permanently closed the Monarch No. 2 mine.

Joe C. Jaramillo's headstone.Photo byGenerations Found YouTube

Several years later, a development company purchased the land containing the Jaramillo memorial and the Flatiron Crossing Mall was built on the land. The marker had to be moved to make way for a new Highway 36 Flatiron Crossing exit. So, the developer built a park on the westside of the freeway to accommodate the headstone.

A 17-acre park named after the former landowner; Frank Varra was built. A memorial marker and headstone were moved to the bike trial banks of that new park. This park was dedicated June 27, 2000, and was turned over to the city of Broomfield, Colorado.

Frank Varra Park where headstone now resides without body.Photo byGenerations Found YouTube

When you visit the area where the old mine entrance and body are located, there is now an embankment, freeway offramp and the US-36 / East Flatiron Station Park-n-Ride. All on West Midway Blvd. in Broomfield. There is no sign of what used to exist. See video by Generations Found YouTube below.

Have you ever heard this story? Let us know in the comments.

The video above is locating the mine, memorials, and miner gravesites in Northern Colorado.

The Victims

The eight victim’s burials can be found in Colorado and one in Tennessee:

• Ray Bailey: Louisville Cemetery
• Tom Stevens: Louisville Cemetery, Louisville, Colorado
• Anthony De Santis : Louisville Cemetery, Louisville, Colorado
• Steve Davis: Union Highland Cemetery, Florence, Colorado
• John Kester Novinger: Green Mountain Cemetery, Boulder, Colorado. Unmarked grave next to his cousin, Leland Ward, who was also killed in the explosion. John’s grave has only the small stone marker reading “97.” His Find-a-Grave.com profile did not have a picture. I went to find his grave location rectified that.
• Leland Ward: Green Mountain Cemetery, Boulder, Colorado. Cousin to John Novinger above.
• Oscar Baird (Tennessee)
• Joe C. Jaramillo: Remains entombed in Morach No.3 Mine. Tombstone and plaque rededicated next to Flatiron Mall.

Do you think it is sad that these men have been forgotten by many? Let us know in the comments.

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References and References

• Coordinates to old mine location: 39.933319, -105.11998539.933319, -105.119985
• https://localhistory.boulderlibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A13390