The home of U.S. Steel’s largest mill, Gary churned out the product that built America’s bridges, tunnels and skyscrapers.
The city reaped the rewards, with a prosperous downtown and vibrant neighborhoods.
Gary’s smokestacks are still prominent along Lake Michigan’s sandy shore, starkly juxtaposed between the eroding dunes and Chicago’s towering silhouette to the northwest.
More than 10,000 buildings sit abandoned, and the population of 180,000 in the 1960s has dropped by more than half.
As U.S. Steel stands at a crossroads — a planned acquisition would put it under foreign control — so does the city that was named for the company’s founder and helped build its empire.
Persons:
Gary, Gary ”
Organizations:
U.S, Steel
Locations:
Ind, U.S, Steel’s