Gary, Indiana has a full and exciting history that started with the American Dream and unfortunately ended in sadness. In the beginning, Gary was a booming town. Founded in 1906, by the U.S Steel Corporation; Gary was the home to their new plant “Gary Works”. The location was prime, with easy access to transport iron ore on Lake Michigan. The city was named after lawyer Elbert Henry Gary , the founding chairman of U.S Steel. Gary Works would be the largest steel mill in North America.

“Businesses on Broadway 1907”- attribution: Indiana Historical Society

“Temporary Booths on Broadway, Gary, Indiana” 1907-attribution: Indiana Historical Society

(“Construction of foundation for Hearth Building at U.S. Steel, Gary Works”) 1907 Source:  – General Picture Collection (IHS Visual Collection Number: P 0411 : Box 3, Folder 9)

“Foundation of Electric Power Station in Gary, Indiana” 1907- attribution: Indiana Historical Society

This photograph shows five 10-ton electrically driven uploaders. Ore carriers unloaded iron ore to Gary Works, the largest steel mill in North America. The first shipment of iron. attribution: Indiana Historical Society

When the steel plants opened their doors, many immigrants, especially those of Eastern European descent flocked to the new city to build their lives.

Gary saw rapid growth and a diverse population due the the number of jobs that were offered by the steel industry. By 1930 Gary was the 5th largest city in the state of Indiana. Broadway was known as the commercial hub for the “the region” during that time. Department stores, restaurants and entertainment lined the street, and Gary was the place to be.

In the 1960’s the city started to see a turn in it’s economy as the steel industry started to compete with companies overseas and U.S steel had massive lay-offs in the area. Families started to move outward from the city to seek new employment. From there, the city started on it’s downward decline, and since has never recovered. The streets of Gary are now lined with beautiful historical buildings that have since been abandoned.

attribution: Indiana Historical Society

I was unable to download the full image of this aerial view in the same quality that is online so below is a link to the Indiana Historical Society’s photo.

http://images.indianahistory.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/dc013/id/522/rec/4

….. and of Steel Mills.

http://images.indianahistory.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/dc013/id/523/rec/171