This
is a rare look at the Bethlehem Steel site as it lied dormant for nearly
10 years after the plant shut down for good in 1998. After several years
of unsuccessful attempts to get on the grounds, I was finally given
the opportunity, in 2004, to spend 8 hours inside the fence with my
camera.
When I first began my quest to get inside the steel, it was simply to
get some good shots of some cool buildings. To my surprise, however,
my path inside also led me to one of history and legacy. I met people
along the way who had devoted their lives to the Steel, as did their
fathers and grandfathers. The immigrants who worked there in the early
1900s actually built the entire South Side of Bethlehem.. the businesses,
the stone churches, and the communities. The Bethlehem Steel wasn't
just a business, it was peoples' lives.
And after 100 years of steelmaking, this sleeping giant seemed to talk
to me as I walked between the buildings. The history and the memories
that lingered were like quiet whispers. It was actually quite eerie.
I specifically remember looking at a door, and I realized that each
scratch, each nick and each ding on it's surface had it's own little
story to tell. So, instead of taking some good shots of some cool buildings,
I got some great shots of some awesome history. I hope you enjoy them.
