The mystery of the missing Martha Black bust has been solved.

The city was alerted to the missing bust of the historical figure at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Main Street on Wednesday morning.

By the middle of the afternoon, it had been learned that the bust depicting the former Yukon MP is in the hands of the Hougen Group of Companies.

Group representatives had it taken down for repairs after vandals had broken three of the four anchors.

“We were pretty happy to learn it was in safe hands,” city spokesman Myles Dolphin said Thursday.

The bust is one of a number of such pieces along Main Street honouring important figures to the Yukon. Among those honoured are Pierre Berton, Ted Harrison, Jack London, Robert Service, Angela Sidney and Sam Steele.

Rolf and Marg Hougen have commissioned many of the pieces over the years, with the Martha Black bronze piece unveiled last August. Harreson Tanner was commissioned to sculpt it.

After the city was alerted to the bust’s disappearance, officials began trying to find out internally what had happened. Some wondered if the parks department had taken it down as part of its maintenance work.

“They didn’t have it,” Dolphin said.

The news began to spread around the city, along with speculation that it may have been stolen. Representatives of the Hougen Group soon found themselves getting in touch with city officials to let them know they had it.

When Hougen staffers noticed three of the four anchors for the piece were damaged last Saturday, they quickly contacted a contractor to have it removed, not wanting to risk more damage.

Kevin Benson of the Hougen Group said Thursday that due to other priorities and some staff being on vacation, the company had not notified the city of the matter.

Dolphin noted that as the owners, the Hougens are able to take the bust down without having to notify the city.

“Ultimately, they own the bust,” Dolphin said.

Benson said that while the actual bust of Martha Black is in good shape, the anchors will need to be fixed. He noted this hasn’t happened with any of the other busts.

It’s unknown exactly when the bust will make its way back to its place on Main Street.

It may not happen until the spring or summer, as the epoxy used to attach the bust to its base doesn’t typically work well in cold weather.